Of all Scotland’s treasures, whisky is the crown jewel celebrated worldwide as a symbol of craftsmanship, heritage, and tradition. Known as “Scotch” to aficionados, this beloved spirit is deeply intertwined with the country’s history and culture.
Tasting whisky is more than just a pastime for those visiting Scotland—it’s a journey through time, flavour, and tradition.
Whether you’re exploring the cosy tasting rooms of Edinburgh or touring the storied distilleries of the Highlands, here’s your guide to where you can experience the best whisky Scotland has to offer.
The Scotch Whisky Experience is situated at the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, making it easy to seek out during a trip to the capital. Here, visitors can choose between a series of tours and masterclasses, which range from an introduction to the world of whisky with a tasting to comparative whisky tastings in the McIntyre Gallery, a Taste of Scotland with a Scottish tasting menu in the award-winning Amber restaurant, and masterclasses that take a more in-depth approach.
A selection of Edinburgh’s bars and restaurants have whisky-tasting opportunities too. The Whiski Rooms host whisky-tasting sessions with the added option of pairing the tastings with cheese or chocolate. Alternatively, people can simply try some of the whiskies on offer with dishes that have been created using Scottish produce, such as Loch Duart salmon, Perthshire lamb, and of course, haggis.
The Whiski Bar & Restaurant is another spot that draws people in for its whisky offering. There are more than 300 malt whiskies in the bar’s extensive collection, so visitors might want to ask the barman for their recommendation. The restaurant specialises in Scottish cuisine with a reverence for local produce, which is sourced from award-winning Scottish suppliers. By visiting in the evening, it’s possible to catch some live music. From here, move on to the Bow Bar, which also focuses on Scotch whisky, with an impressive collection of 310 single malts from around Scotland.
From Edinburgh, visitors can then journey through the Highlands’ mountains and glens to reach Scotland’s oldest working whisky distillery. Glenturret Distillery is home to The Glenturret Highland Single Malt and The Famous Grouse. By visiting the distillery, visitors can find out how Glenturret Highland single malt is produced using traditional methods and equipment, and as the home of The Famous Grouse, visitors can see how this whisky is blended. Plus, the distillery experience on offer includes two whisky tastings: one from the Glenturret range and another from The Famous Grouse range.
Back in Edinburgh, it’s worth setting aside enough time to pick up a souvenir from the Royal Mile, where shops like Cadenhead’s Whisky Shop – also a tasting room – and the whisky and fine foods purveyors Cranachan & Crowdie are located.
After all, who wouldn’t want to take a souvenir home to remind them of their time tasting whisky in Scotland?
