Tastings · UK DRINKS TOURS
Scotch in Edinburgh, gin in London and brewery tours in between. These 15 are sorted by how many drams or pints are poured, how long each runs and what it costs.
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.”
Walk through Soho with an English-speaking guide and visit four historic pubs linked to London’s music scene. Hear stories about the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Ella Fitzgerald, the Rolling Stones, and Mozart, including where Hey Jude was recorded. Guides such as Ben, Gherto, Tom, and Callum bring plenty of humor and local color. Drinks cost extra.
“This was one of the best tours we have been on. Interesting facts, funny and can’t believe we have missed so much in Soho walking through before. Callum our tour guide was fabulous, he was funny and Interesting getting all the group interacting within minutes. Would highly recommend this tour and if you get Callum you have struck gold!!”
Spend about 90 minutes at Wellpark Brewery with guides such as Tony or Calum, tracing Tennent’s story from 1556 to today. You’ll see brewing memorabilia, learn how the lager is made, explore its place in Scottish culture, and finish with a pint of unpasteurized Tennent’s Tank Beer poured fresh from the copper tanks.
“Fun, fact-filled tour followed by beer tastings. Lots of memorabilia and I followed it up with a visit to the nearby Glasgow Necropolis. Our tour guide Tony was both knowledgeable and entertaining! He even helped me find the grave of brewery founder Hugh. It just overlooks the brewery and cathedral. Bargain, cheers!”
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!”
At Alcotraz Manchester, you enter Cell Block Three-Four in an orange jumpsuit, smuggle in a base spirit, and work with prison actors to receive four custom cocktails. The cast may include characters such as Guard Wilmot and inmate Casey. Expect a 1-hour-45-minute interactive show for up to 15 people, with plenty of room to join the fun or stay quieter.
“The experience was amazing and worth to try in boring manchester hahah ( jk ) Amazing actors all of them and professional”
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.”
Cycle through Westminster, St James’s Park, Covent Garden, and the Thames with a local guide such as James, Edward, or Jack. You’ll ride a classic British bike, stop at the Lamb & Flag pub, and paint in Waterloo’s legal graffiti tunnel. The route is mostly easy, but you must ride solo and handle city streets.
“This was a really fun way to see a lot of major London sights in a short period of time. Our guide, James, was knowledgeable, funny, and did a great job making sure our group stayed together. We had a group of 9 people which was not too crowded. Definitely would recommend!”
At Alcotraz London, you enter a working prison bar in an orange jumpsuit, smuggle in a base spirit, and hand it to the inmates. Inmate Cassidy and the Warden guide a 1-hour-45-minute theatrical session, mixing your liquor with syrups, bitters, liqueurs, and purees to create personal cocktails.
“Was a great experience. Never did a game like this before. Will recommend anyone to this game. It was really fun”
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.”
Start at Piccadilly Circus at 2 pm and walk through St James’s, pausing at St James’s Palace and several historic pubs. Guides including Ben, Luke, Henry, Tom, and Carlos mix royal stories, local history, beer advice, and plenty of banter. The tour lasts about two to three hours, with drinks bought separately.
“The historic pub tour is a must if you are in town and enjoy knowing about the royals and London stories in general. Luke was our tour guy and he was excellent!! We enjoyed learning about famous stories on each pub that we visited, everything was really well explained, he truly did a great guy. This experience was great and would definitely do it again.”
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.”
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