Ambassador Wines & Spirits

About

World-class destination for wine, champagne, premium spirits, sake and sochu. Now featuring a dizzying array of artisanal spirits for all your mixology needs.

Story

"What an amazing selection of unusual, upscale wines and spirits – you may even find the label you enjoyed in that restaurant last night with the help of the extremely knowledgeable staff at this inviting, family-owned Eastsider; there’s a special walk-in refrigerator for sake lovers, a must-see downstairs cellar room with an exclusive feel, separate rooms for Burgundies, Bordeaux, dessert vintages, etc. – little wonder the neighborhood relies on it as an excellent source." - Zagat 2012/2013

"Do go to this Midtown East shop when you're seeking out something unusual or obscure, or when you want to stumble upon something entirely new to you. Don't go when you're simply stocking up on mainstream staple brands...because they either don't carry them or charge much more for them than other shops do (a result of their buying in small, undiscounted volumes). In other words, Ambassador's liquor selection is largely geared toward the spirits enthusiast (read: nerd). In my conversation with the passionate, friendly staff (we ended up doing shots of mezcal with Oaxacan gusano, aka worm salt, together), they told me they taste every product before it's sold at the shop. This policy means that the Ambassador team makes thoughtful, personal recommendations.

While Ambassador runs deep in several spirits categories, its selection of Scotch whisky is easily its most expansive. There's a slew of Signatory bottlings, for instance, as well as a few different ages of Islay Mist, which one of the staffers described as "baby Laphroaig." The mezcal wall is packed, as is the wall of bourbon and rye whiskeys. Among the unusual finds were bottles of Pow Wow Botanical Rye, a saffron and orange peel-infused rye whiskey, and Bloom Gin, a London Dry flavored with honeysuckle, chamomile, and pomelo. Ambassador is the liquor store I wish I had in my neighborhood; you find yourself wanting to hang out there, even if you don't really need to buy anything." - Serious Eats