Tastings · WHISKY TASTINGS IN EDINBURGH
A shortlist worth sending on: 15 whisky tastings in Edinburgh, each with its price, its verdict and the one thing to know before you book a seat.
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.”
Travel from Edinburgh into Perthshire with a live English-speaking guide, stopping in Dunkeld, the Hermitage, Pitlochry, and Queen’s View. Walk to Black Linn Falls, see Britain’s tallest tree, then tour Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery and taste Scottish whisky. Guides such as Duncan, Graeme, Kylie, and Sean are known for lively stories and music.
“This was such an amazing tour! On the way to the distillery we saw so much of the breathtaking butyfull nature of scotland. During the journey we also got quite much information of scotlands history, all day storys, jokes and great music. Thank you so much for all of this Duncan (Big Dunc, King of Fife 😜). The tour through the distillery at the end was like the dessert of a multi course menu. Extremely interesting and impressive. We would love to do this tour again anytime.”
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.”
Spend three hours in Edinburgh’s Old Town tasting haggis, neeps and tatties, Cullen Skink, Scottish cheese, cakes, cranachan, and a Lowland single malt. Guides such as Nichola, Nyssa, Craig, Carlos, and Madge mix food with city stories in groups capped at 10. A secret dish adds one surprise, with vegetarian and other dietary options available.
“The tour and food were excellent. Our guide, Craig Michael, was entertaining and provided many interesting stories. It was a great introduction to Scottish dishes.”
Meet your English-speaking guide outside John’s Coffee House & Tavern, behind St Giles Cathedral. Then head below Edinburgh’s Old Town for four Scotch whiskies from major whisky regions, paired with stories about the industry and its characters. Choose a standard, intermediate, or high-end flight. Guides include Eleanor, Mark, Rosie, Sarah, and Nikki.
“Very cool setting, extremely interesting, and fun. Would recommend!”
Travel from Edinburgh in a small group of up to eight, with a driver-guide such as Mark, Richie, Owen or Karen. Walk to Hermitage Waterfalls, sample a whisky dram, visit Loch Ness, pass through Glencoe and watch for Highland cows. A boat cruise and meals cost extra.
“Amazing trip and our amazing guide Warren did everything he could to make our trip as comfortable as possible. He knew a lot about every place we drove trough and we learn a lot about scottish history. Nice stop at Loch ness were we had a lot of time to eat lunch and experience the area. Recommend!”
Travel from Edinburgh in a small group of up to 14 people to Dewar’s Aberfeldy and Glenturret, Scotland’s oldest working distillery. Expect scenic Highland roads, whisky-making stories, optional tastings, a chocolate pairing at Aberfeldy, lunch in Aberfeldy village, and lively commentary from guides such as Adam, Ash, Mark, and Graham.
“Great. The whisky trip to the Abelfeldy and Glenturret Distilleries was fantastic. Our driver and guide, Andrew was excellent.”
Spend nine hours with a small group and an English-speaking driver-guide, visiting Glengoyne and Deanston distilleries. You will taste four drams, see Loch Lomond, stop near Stirling Castle, and buy lunch at the Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha. Guides such as Craig, Neil, Trevor, and Lizzie are known for adding history, humor, and Scottish music to the drive.
“Our driver Graeme was amazing, telling us incredible and funny stuff as we were driving from one stop to another. Whole trip was really great, enjoyable, full of diverse experiences. Thank you very much!”
Travel from Edinburgh to Glasgow, Loch Lomond, and Stirling with an English-speaking driver-guide. Visit Clydeside Distillery, stroll by Scotland’s largest loch, and explore Stirling Castle. Guides such as Graham, Paul, Dave, and Stefan are praised for lively stories, humor, and Scottish history. Castle entry, food, and whisky tasting fees cost extra.
“Very good trip to Stirling and the Ooch Lomond area. Our guide, Graham, was full of good information and entertaining as well.”
The lists most people start from.
