Tastings · EDINBURGH DRINKS TOURS
Two whisky attractions on the Royal Mile and a set of distilleries within an hour. These 12 compare how many drams each pours, how long they run and what a guided flight adds over the standard ticket.
At the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, learn how Scotch whisky is made, compare aromas from five whisky regions, and visit a glass and marble vault holding nearly 3,500 bottles. The standard tour includes a tutored tasting and crystal glass for adults. Gold adds four regional single malts.
“It was great, the explanation of the greats and really enjoy it”
Spend two hours at Hot Toddy, just off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, tasting four single malt whiskies from Scotland’s main producing regions. Guides such as Ben, Kofi, Angus, Alistair, and Eleanor combine tasting advice with folklore, local history, humor, and, on some evenings, fiddle music. Whisky alternatives are available on request.
“The teller Angus was fantastic. Extremely good value for money.”
At Johnnie Walker Princes Street, you take a flavour quiz, then follow a 90-minute English guided tour with projections, live performances, whisky stories, and three drinks matched to your taste. Guides such as Paula, Anton, Leah, and Lorna have earned warm praise for their energy and clarity. Non-alcoholic drinks are available.
“Our tour was exceptional. Our guide Leah was amazing and Pauline’s perfermance was brilliant. We enjoyed the time we spent.”
At the Scotch Whisky Experience beside Edinburgh Castle, a guide leads you through a replica distillery, explains Scotch production and regional flavors, and introduces whisky aromas before your chosen dram. Under-18s receive Irn Bru. The tour lasts about 50 to 60 minutes and ends with a crystal tasting glass for adults and concession guests.
“I knew next to nothing about Scotch whiskey before this tour and it turned out to be a very good intro. The presentation was interesting. We learned about the types of whiskey produced in different regions of Scotland. Then we had a choice of tasting whiskey from one of the regions at the end of the tour. Definitely a good way to learn about Scotch Whiskey!”
Spend about three hours walking Edinburgh’s Old Town, stopping for haggis, neeps and tatties, Scottish cheese, cakes, whisky, tea, and a changing secret dish. Guides such as Carlos, Nyssa, Nichola, Craig, Joanne, and Madge mix food with local stories. The group is capped at 10, but the route includes hills and cobbles.
“Carlos was a perfect guide as we traveled through our stops for delicious food whiskey. I even loved the haggis! Highly recommend!”
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.”
Spend about two hours in Hot Toddy’s dedicated whisky lounge with a guide such as Ben, Euan, Alasdair, or Max. Taste four single malts from Scotland’s major whisky regions, compare Highland and Lowland styles, and hear Scottish folklore, family tales, and whisky history. Non-whisky drink alternatives are available.
“Really interesting night with great stories. Noami was great fun. Lots of whiskey and a great setting.”
Settle into a vintage Routemaster bus for 90 minutes of tea, sandwiches, scones, cakes, and Edinburgh views. You receive prosecco on arrival and unlimited tea or coffee, with an optional Edinburgh Gin cocktail served in a teapot. Staff such as Helen, Jimmy, Mark, and Steven add humor and help with photos, but this is not a fully narrated sightseeing tour.
“We had a great time for my friends hen party, the food and drinks were delicious, the tour guides were very friendly and made the bride to be feel extra special. A nice tour round Edinburgh in a vintage bus and a stop to take some photos too”
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.”
Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with guides such as Wag, Iain, Christy, Sara, or Mhairi, stopping at three pubs for Scottish beer tastings. You’ll hear stories about brewing, trade, architecture, and city life while trying cask ales, sours, and modern local beers. The group is limited to 12 people, and all tastings are included.
“Christy was a great guide. Very interesting and a great storyteller! The tour was enjoyable and we visited 3 pubs which were within easy walking distance of each other.”
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