Golden Promise, the speakeasy-style hidden bar at La Maison du Whisky

Hidden beneath the Maison du Whisky, Golden Promise is a speakeasy like no other. Under century-old vaulted ceilings, you can sip over 1,000 whisky references, 100 sake references, cocktails and mouth-watering Japanese finger food.

Golden Promise is a golden promise. The promise of a pleasant evening with whisky lovers. But to discover this Eldorado, you have to find the treasure. It's a well-kept secret, and this speakeasy-style whisky bar is particularly well hidden.

The starting point for this Prohibition-era immersion is the Maison du Whisky on rue Tiquetonne. Step through the doorway, ignore (with difficulty) the Maison's boutique, which is overflowing with references of all kinds - you can take your time browsing its stalls on the way out - take the stairs and go down a flight of steps. And there you are.

There, under the building's century-old vaults, Golden Promise is offered up to you, in the greatest of secrecy. It is divided into five areas, each lined with bottles of this amber-colored spirit. Each represents a region of the world from which the whisky originates.

With La Maison du Whisky at the origin of this place, you can be sure that the selection of these 1300 references (!) has been made with finesse. From Scotland to France and Taiwan, these exceptional spirits promise a true voyage around the globe. But the address also unveils a selection of 100 sake references, for a journey through the lands of Japan and beyond.

These references can be sipped neat, on the rocks (with ice cubes) or in stunning cocktails by head bartender Sullivan Carpentier. His ingenuity extends even to the menu, which details compositions, pairings and flavors through pictograms and explanatory Kiviat diagrams.

Advised on our desires, we soon find ourselves enjoying a Loco Lopez cocktail (sherry, tequila, black lemon, coffee, cream; €13) and a Butter me up cocktail (mezcal, buttered pineapple, long pepper; €13) of the tastiest kind.

Mostly accompanied by Japanese tapas created by the upstairs chef, Ryuichi Utsumi, who officiates at the Maison du Whisky's ERH restaurant , namely beetroot-marinated red tuna nigiri (€10 per pair), mackerel nigiri with ginger sauce (€8 per pair) and a demonic croquette with meat, mochi pastry and string cheese.

The address to put in the hands of all aesthetes.

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.