Tastings · DISTILLERY TOURS IN THE UK
There is never quite enough time on the ground. These 8 distillery tours in the UK earn the slot, priced and timed so you can decide quickly and get on with it.
Spend an hour with an English-speaking guide such as Courtney, Dave, Neil, or Thais inside Edinburgh’s Holyrood Distillery. See the gin lab, washbacks, copper stills, and cask room while learning about experimental yeasts, flavour design, gin, and single malt whisky. A welcome cocktail and tastings are included.
“The tour was excellent and Courtney was a brilliant guide.”
Tour Glasgow’s Clydeside Distillery in the Old Pumphouse, beginning with the Dockside Story before seeing malting, mashing, fermentation, and distillation. Guides such as Nina, Andy, and Madeleine bring the visit to life, then you taste three Clydeside drams and keep the small tasting glass. Allow one hour, plus time for the whisky bar and shop.
“Nice tour with knowledgeable guide! The tasting was a lot of fun and a great opportunity to learn about different types of scotch whiskey.”
At Laverstoke Mill, explore Bombay Sapphire’s historic distillery with a host, make a G&T at the Turbine Bar, see the glasshouses, test your flavor preferences in the Botanical Room, and learn about vapor infusion. Guides such as Naomi, Helen, Nick, and Luke have led engaging tours, though parts can feel rushed when busy.
“Value for money, and interesting experience. Option of non alcoholic drink was nice. Could've shown Around more stuff.”
Spend 90 minutes at the Port of Leith Distillery with an English-speaking guide such as Olivia or Ellie. See the world’s tallest distillery, fill a miniature bottle of New Make spirit, and taste New Make, port, sherry, and Table Whisky while learning how Scotch develops from production to maturation.
“Beautiful new distillery, and the second vertical one in Europe. Our tour guide Olivia was knowledgeable and fun. We got to bottle and keep a small bottle of their "hearts" distilled spirit. The tasting was good. ***WARNING: Given it's a new distillery they have yet to release their own whisky. Thus that is not part of the tasting.***”
Spend about an hour touring Holyrood Distillery near Edinburgh’s Holyrood area. Guides such as Diego, Brice, Neil, and Courtney explain the distillery’s experimental approach to whisky and gin, followed by several tastings. You’ll see a modern working distillery, learn how the spirits are made, and finish near the bar and shop.
“Great tour especially if you don't have a lot of time to explore outside of Edinburgh. I learned a lot about gin and the flavor was great.”
At Edinburgh’s 56 North Distillery, you’ll begin with South Loch Gin and Fever-Tree tonic in Scotland’s oldest dedicated gin bar. Learn how botanicals and copper stills shape the spirit, taste three small-batch gins, then finish with a South Loch cocktail. Guides including James, Abi, Gary, and George bring plenty of humor and practical insight.
“James was fantastic, full of little nuggets of information and really passionate about his gin. It was definitely an experience we would do again.”
At Uilebheist Brewery & Distillery in Inverness, a guide such as Richard leads you through beer and whisky production, local folklore, and the facility’s working spaces. The 75-minute visit ends with three tastings: new-make spirit, Colpach whisky, and beer. Expect an English-language tour for up to 15 people.
“An interesting overview of the distilling and brewing processes with a lot of fun local history and lore. Excellent tasting at the end!”
Spend 7 to 8 hours touring Speyside from Inverness in a group of up to eight. A Highland guide such as George Ritchie handles the driving, shares local stories, and adapts the route when possible. Stops may include Glenfarclas, GlenAllachie, Glenfiddich, the Speyside Cooperage, Carrbridge, and Grantown.
“This is an excellent experience. George is incredibly knowledgeable of the area, history, and whisky, and is more than willing to share some amazing stories. The distilleries were great and the cooperage was an unexpected highlight. George, thank you for the laughs and a great time!”
The lists most people start from.
