The Last Sipper with Jakub Niziolek
The whiskery whisky man: Jakub holding court in Greville Street
Nattily attired and generous with his expertise, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Jakub Niziolek is a popular figure in the members’ room at the club’s London base. Barley popped along to ask him about his whisky passions
What is your favourite whisky cocktail?
Definitely a Penicillin. It’s made from Islay peated whisky, with a mix of lemon juice, honey, and freshly pressed ginger. It strikes a perfect balance between smokiness and spice, thanks to the ginger and honey, which also gives it a bit of a “medicinal” quality. It’s both refreshing and comforting—a true all-rounder in the cocktail world.
What is your favourite bottle from the Society?
The SMWS bottle that has really left its mark on me is 53.340 “Loud Raves the Torrent an’ the Rain”—a 30-year-old Islay single malt matured in a refill bourbon cask. This whisky hits every dimension just right, and it was also the first bottle from the Vaults Collection I tried. I fell in love with it instantly.
….and your favourite blend?
I’ll have to go with an SMWS bottle again: “Underwater Barbecue”. It’s a beautiful blend of Islay and Orkney malts matured in a mix of Bourbon and Oloroso casks. The sweetness and smoke complement each other perfectly, and at 50% ABV, it’s an ideal summer dram. It even holds up well in a Penicillin cocktail, adding another layer to its versatility. Another blend that I enjoy a lot is Green Label Johnnie Walker. It is also peated (you might see a theme emerging here!) with a lovely finish of green apple, pears, and fresh grass. It is made by the combinations of some of my favourite whiskies, like Caol Ila and Talisker.
What’s your favourite whisky bar in the world, and why?
I have two favourites, each for different reasons. First is our Greville Street venue, which holds a special place in my heart. I’ve put a lot of hard work into this bar, and I love meeting new faces as much as spending time with regulars, learning from them, and sharing our passion. We have an amazing team, and I feel both lucky and proud to work with them. My second favourite is La Whiskeria in Barcelona. It was my second home when I lived there, and it’s where I met my wife, who was one of the bartenders—so it holds a lot of memories.
Most exciting new whisky discovery?
Recently, I came across a few whiskies aged in ex-Mezcal casks, such as Lagavulin Jazz Festival 2021, and a 13 Year Old Ardmore from an independent bottler called Fragrant Drops. While it may not be completely new, I think it’s an incredible pairing, especially with peated malts. I’d love to see more of these on the market.
Who is your whisky hero?
I’d go for my dear friend, Ezequiel Riesgo. We met while I was living in Spain, and we both share a passion for peated whisky. Ezequiel taught me so much about both whisky and hospitality, and his influence has truly shaped my journey in this industry.
Whisky is (in five words) ...
A great way to bond.
Those delicious and superbly named SMWS bottlings are available exclusively to members. To find out more visit Scotch Malt Whisky Society
