Pick Your Poison is a new column that guides you through the nooks and crannies of San Francisco’s bar scene, much like the white rabbit led Alice down a dark and mysterious hole. Whether you’re a lost wanderer searching for comfort, a wild hare looking for a party, a caterpillar hanging out where the poets and artists sling, or a queen looking for a king, each month contributor Sheridan Costa will point you in the right direction. In her first column, Sheridan exposes the best places to down a fine whiskey. Enjoy!

In a normal, non-global-warming San Francisco winter, nights are long and the weather is cold. With these conditions, even the Mad Hatter’s tea just won’t do. I recommend warming up from the inside out with my favorite spirit, whiskey. Whether you enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail, it’s guaranteed to work its warming magic on you.

Here lie my recommendations for sipping the best whiskey in all of wonderland.

Best Selections to Sip & Enjoy

The first three come from the same owners: Whiskey Thieves (839 Geary St.), Dirty Thieves (3050 24^th St.), and, my personal favorite, Thieves Tavern (496 14^th St.). They are all on the side of cool dive bar with friendly pricing and a laid-back staff. Whiskey novices will appreciate the helpful bartenders who’ll often pour tastings of unfamiliar brands. It’s the best way to learn and find what you like.

Nihon Whiskey Lounge (1779 Folsom St.), a Japanese whiskey bar and izakaya restaurant, carries what they dub the largest single-malt selection of whiskey on the West Coast with more than 400 bottles. Loyal to one brand? Purchase a bottle there and they’ll store it in lockers to be enjoyed on each visit.

Every time previous to my last visit to Rickhouse (246 Kearny St.), I’d been too overwhelmed to notice the very impressive whiskey selection. The knowledgeable bartender had, off the top of his head, 15 whiskey drinks he could make depending on what I liked. I ended up choosing a smoky yet sweet-and-sour Laphroaig cocktail (recommended). Also, major points for using big block ice. I’m putting it in words: whiskey should only be served with block ice or a Japanese ice ball if it is to be chilled so as not to dilute the flavor.

Then there is the Hideout (3121 16^th St.) in the back room of Dalva (kind of like a speakeasy but without the password). This place is small, dimly lit and awesome with a well-curated selection of whiskey that spans multiple pages on the drink menu. Craig, the bartender on duty, knew a ton about whiskey cocktails and even recommended the next gem on our list, The Broken Record (1166 Geneva Ave.). This quintessential dive bar sits out there in the Excelsior, but what you may spend on a cab you’ll save on spirits; The Broken Record has the cheapest whiskey pours in all of San Francisco. Don’t think the selection is paltry either, bottles here range from the standard American and Irish to the more foreign Indian (yes, really) and Japanese.

A Concoction of Sorts (places with very pleasing whiskey cocktails):

15 Romolo (15 Romolo Pl.) has a very knowledgeable staff, from their mixologist bartenders to the table servers. Ethan, my server, made sure I got a tasty Japanese whiskey cocktail. I’d also recommend the earthy Buffalo Nickel with Buffalo Trace, Root Liqueur, ginger and aromatic bitters.

Nopa (560 Divisadero St.) is delicious on all accounts, but their White Manhattans (made with unaged white dog whiskey) are amazing. Trust me.

Blackbird (2124 Market St.) has one of my favorite warm winter drinks right now: the Bonnie & Clyde features a down-home remix of High West Silver Whiskey, Dolin Blanc, Organic Chamomile Liqueur and Baked Apple Bitters.

The next two bars are on my radar for one particular cocktail. Both Mr. Smith’s (34 Seventh St.) and Bloodhound (1145 Folsom St.) make excellent renditions of a classic whiskey cocktail with bourbon and ginger beer (dubbed Recoil at Bloodhound and Decoil at Mr. Smith’s, respectively). Speaking of Mr. Smith’s, sign up for their email newsletter to stay abreast of their Whiskey Club, a monthly happy hour tasting session.

This list wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Bourbon & Branch (501 Jones St.), the famous password-protected speakeasy in the Loin. There’s plenty to choose from on the menu, but sometimes the best cocktails come from their experimental bartenders.

Alembic (1725 Haight St.) does the whiskey classics well—the sazerac, old fashioned and blood & sand are all on the menu and made to perfection.

To Have and To Hold (well-stocked whiskey liquor stores):

Healthy Spirits (2299 15th St.) carries an amazing selection and employs ridiculously knowledgeable clerks.

Cask (17  Third St.) stocks an impressive selection of all spirits, with a hearty section dedicated to whiskey.

John Walker and Company (175 Sutter St.), not to be confused with Johnnie Walker, sells the classics at affordable prices alongside all the necessary cocktail fixings: syrups, bitters and even cheese pairings.

D & M Liquor (2200 Fillmore St.) is a staple in the center of the city serving wine and spirits since 1935. Kudos on the wide variety of pricing to accommodate every whiskey budget.