Tastings · WHISKY & WHISKEY TASTINGS
Scotch, Irish pot still and American rye, tasted where they are made. The 15 below set out how many drams each pours, how long the sit-down runs and what a guided flight costs over a self-guided 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”
Explore Jameson Distillery Bow Street with an English or French-speaking guide. Learn about John Jameson, whiskey making, and the old distillery buildings before tasting three whiskeys and enjoying a Jameson cocktail. You can also add a live warehouse visit, sample whiskey from the barrel, and buy a personalized bottle.
“Smaller group, great hostess, informative and very, very fun!”
Spend about eight hours touring the Yarra Valley with guides such as Gilberto, Tom, Richard, Matt, or Hilda. Taste wines at Soumah, St Huberts, and Balgownie, sample 10 chocolates, and stop at Hubert Estate. Lunch costs extra, and gin or whisky may require an added fee or depend on the day’s schedule.
“Great tour of some fantastic wineries in Yarra Valley. Hilda, our tour guide, was amazing! Great playlist on the bus and takes requests :) I went as a solo traveller and made some new friends!”
At Dublin’s Irish Whiskey Museum, a guide such as Andrew, Hailey, Linda, or Matt leads you through whiskey’s Irish story, from uisca beatha to modern revival. Expect an hour of interactive exhibits, period memorabilia, tasting guidance, and several Irish whiskeys. Groups are capped at 10, with a premium tasting upgrade available.
“Not only was it so informative but he was extremely entertaining. Shamus as I called him haha. Red hair and all.”
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.”
Ride from downtown Nashville to Jack Daniel’s Distillery in air-conditioned transport, tour the production site, and taste several Tennessee whiskeys in the George Green Barrel House. The 9:00am departure adds about 90 minutes in Lynchburg for lunch and shopping. Guides such as Frank, Jacob, Lea, and Miranda are known for lively local stories.
“Excellent trip and can’t recommend enough - our driver Frank was hilarious and got us there and back in good hands. Our tour guide Rooster was so knowledgeable and managed everyone’s questions well. Be prepared to taste 6 amazing whiskeys and savour that taste. The little village of Lynchburg is quaint and offers the best pulled pork sandwich 🥪 ever 🖤 a must do trip!”
Spend an hour at Teeling Whiskey Distillery in Dublin’s Liberties with a guide such as Marc, Blaise, or Gary. Learn the five steps from grain to glass, hear the Teeling family story, then choose a tasting suited to your palate. Expect a compact tour, a working production floor, and whiskey or cocktail options for drinkers aged 18 and over.
“Was a great experience, it took approx 1 hour and the guide we had was super knowledgeable, it is also a stop on the city sightseeing hop in hop off bus making it easy to get to”
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!”
From Melbourne, join Red Carpet Wine Tours for an eight-hour Yarra Valley outing with guides such as Matt, Gilberto, Tom, and Richard. Visit Soumah, St Huberts, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, and Balgownie Estate, with optional gin, whisky, Chandon, or Yarrawood stops. Tastings are included, while lunch is extra.
“Loved our experience with Red Carpet Tours. We did their Wombat Tour and enjoyed every stop we visited. There was a good amount of time at each stop and the food for lunch at St Hubert’s was delicious. Thank you Tom for being a great host, driver and DJ!”
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!”
Meet at 119 Grafton Street for a one-hour English-led tour through four rooms of Irish whiskey history, 19th-century memorabilia, and a guided tasting. Choose three classic whiskeys or four premium pours with a souvenir tasting glass. Guides such as Andrew, Linda, Daniel, and Brien bring plenty of humor to the story.
“Unfortunately I cannot recall the ladies name who ran the session but she was really helpful really informative and it was really good insight in terms of the history of whiskey. The whiskey tasting was great. Would highly recommend 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.”
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.”
Visit Teeling’s working Dublin distillery for a one-hour guided tour through the stillhouse and exhibition space, followed by whiskey tasting. Guides such as Gary, Marc, Alexandra, and Sophie bring clear explanations and humor. Adults 18 and over can enjoy the tasting, with small groups, wheelchair access, and tours every 20 minutes.
“Your guide Alexandra was really friendly, easy to talk to and knowledgeable.”
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