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There are so many things to love about Scotland. Its people, its culture, and of course, the whisky. Scotch whisky is one of the most famous spirits in the world, and is a major part of Scottish culture. Despite this, there may be a lot you don’t know about it! The truth is that there are hundreds of different distilleries that produce Scotch whisky all across Scotland. Many of these are very small operations with just a few employees but there are also some very large producers that hire thousands of people throughout the year. In this article, we’ll take you on a tour through some of the best distilleries in Scotland!
The Best Places to Visit for Scotch Tours
There are several places in Scotland that offer guided tours of their whisky distilleries. Many visitors choose to book tours that visit a couple of different distilleries during the day in order to get a comprehensive overview of the industry. Tours generally include visits to the distilleries, tasting rooms, and gift shops. There are a number of different operators that offer tours of the Scottish distilleries, so it’s worth researching a few before booking. Some of the most popular destinations for tours include: - Glenkinchie - Aberfeldy - Dalwhinnie - Oban - Edradour - Aultmore - Tomatin - The Glenlivet.
Glenfiddich Distillery
The Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown is one of the most well-known distilleries in Scotland. It’s one of the biggest distilleries in the country and is one of the few distilleries that is open to the public. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the distillery, and there is also a café on site.
Bruichladdich Distillery
The Bruichladdich distillery is located on the island of Islay, which is known as one of the "birthplaces of Scotch whisky". The distillery is one of the largest producers of Islay whisky, and is one of the few distilleries open to the public. Visitors can take a tour of the distillery, and try samples of whisky straight from the cask. The distillery is well-known for experimenting with different types of whisky. You might see experimental whiskies made with peat smoked salmon or whisky made with a tonic wine. The Bruichladdich distillery is located in the town of Port Asha, which is a short drive from Islay airport. There are a number of guided tours offered throughout the year.
Edradour Distillery
The Edradour distillery is the smallest distillery in Scotland, and may be the smallest working distillery in the world. The distillery only distils around 4000 litres of whisky each year, which is a fraction of the amount produced by other distilleries. Visitors can take a tour of the distillery, and try whiskies that have been matured in a variety of different casks. Edradour is located in the village of Pitlochry, which is an hour-long drive from Edinburgh. The distillery is open throughout the year and is open daily between 10 am and 4 pm. There are guided tours available at 11 am and 2 pm.
Glenmorangie Distillery
The Glenmorangie distillery is one of the most famous distilleries in the country, and the largest distillery on the waterfront of the town of Tain in the Highlands. The distillery is open to the public and has a gift shop stocked with a wide variety of Glenmorangie products. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the distillery, including the mash house and fermentation room. The distillery is also available for functions and weddings, and tours can be tailored to visitors who require assistance. Glenmorangie is located just outside the town of Tain, which is a short drive from Inverness. The distillery is open daily and offers a variety of guided tours throughout the year.
Glenrothes Distillery
The Glenrothes distillery is located in the town of Glenrothes, and is open to the public. Visitors can take a self-guided tour and learn about the history of the distillery and how scotch whisky is produced. The distillery has a gift shop stocked with a wide variety of Glenrothes products. Glenrothes is located just south of Edinburgh and is easily accessible through the nearby railway. The distillery is open daily and offers a variety of guided and self-guided tours.
The Best Scotch Whisky Distilleries in Scotland
We’ve already told you about some of the best places to visit for whisky tours, and now it’s time to highlight the best Scotch whisky distilleries! We’ll take you on a tour of some of the most famous distilleries in Scotland, and hopefully, you’ll come away with a new appreciation of whisky. -
Aberfeldy Distillery
This distillery is located in the foothills of the Black Mountains in the Scottish Highlands. It’s one of the few distilleries that has been operating since the late 18th century and is one of the few remaining distilleries that uses the pot-still method.
Aultmore Distillery
This distillery is located in the town of Keith in the eastern Highlands. It’s one of the most modern distilleries in Scotland and uses a Coffey Still to produce its whisky. - Caanachd! A word on Gaelic and its importance in Scotland -
Dalwhinnie Distillery
This distillery is located in the Scottish Highlands. It’s one of the most famous distilleries in Scotland and one of the few distilleries that uses only malted barley to produce its whisky.
Edradour Distillery
This distillery is located in the Scottish Highlands. It’s the smallest working distillery in Scotland, and may be the smallest in the world. Its whisky is produced solely from a mash of malted barley, which is fermented in wooden washbacks.
Glenkinchie Distillery
This distillery is located in the town of Pinkney in the Scottish Lowlands. It’s one of the few distilleries that uses only unmalted barley to produce its whisky.
Glenlivet Distillery
This distillery is located in the Highland town of Ballindall. It’s one of the most famous distilleries in Scotland and is one of the few distilleries that uses only unmalted barley to produce its whisky.
Tomatin Distillery
This distillery is located in the Scottish Highlands. It’s one of the few distilleries that uses only unmalted barley to produce its whisky. It also uses a Coffey Still, which is an unusual piece of machinery.
Conclusion
There are so many different aspects of Scotch whisky production that all come together to create this amazing spirit. From barley growing and malting to distillation and maturation, there is so much to learn about
