The tour of the best Whiskey distilleries in Scotland, the map and the most famous and good distilleries to see and taste on a road trip in magical Scotland, read here.
When you are talking about Scotland one cannot fail to speak of whiskey and when it comes to whiskey, one cannot fail to mention Scotland. I recommend whiskey and not whiskey (the one with the e is Irish and American) and the Scots might be offended by this oversight.
During trip to Scotland you cannot miss a visit to at least one of the countless ones distilleries, here you can really discover the history, the workmanship, and everything related to the water of life and if you are true enthusiasts you can only be satisfied. There are many places where you can find them and depending on the place you can taste whiskey (single malt and blended) with different characteristics and tastes.
Each distillery has one shop / visitor center, the entrance is free as well as the tastings that you can ask for (one per person), you will also find various gadgets that you can buy in addition of course to the whiskey bottles of the distillery. But the coolest thing is the guided tours, my husband and I have done 3 and the average duration is about an hour. These are of course paid (which varies according to the type of tour, the price can range from 5 to 30 £) and there are different types, from the more generic ones that present the distillery and the various stages of whiskey production, from the processing of the malt to bottling, to the most refined and "technical" ones for true connoisseurs.
We have always found guides who are very well prepared and available to answer any questions, which has contributed to making the visit to these unique places even more interesting and enjoyable.
Isle of Islay
But now let's see which are the main areas where the distilleries are located; let's start from the enchanting Isle of Islay; it can be reached by a 2-hour ferry ride from Kennacraig to Port Ellen (around £ 30 per person plus car). Islay is considered the home to some of the best peaty whiskeys in the world; here are 8 distilleries: Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Coal Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Laphroig, all located on the sea. The island is therefore small and can be visited in one or two days; the distilleries close quite early, usually around 17.00 so if you want to visit more than one I suggest you plan the times well and maybe book the tours in advance in order to be sure to do them (in fact there is not always room). Islay it is truly magical, the desolate landscape, the very cordial people (everyone greets you on the street) and the distilleries have made this place truly unforgettable.
Isle of Skye
Continuing north you arrive at Skye, a must for the enchanting landscapes it offers. Skye is also an island but unlike Islay it can be reached by car via a bridge. There's only one distillery here, there Talisker, very particular and which presents its whiskey as made from the sea for salty notes which can present its taste.
Speyside
We now arrive in Speyside, the cradle of most of the Scottish whiskeys including Macallan, Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Glen Grant; Unlike Islay and Skye, this area is located in the hinterland around the River Spey and along the area you will find the indications of the malt whiskey trail, which is an itinerary that will take you to visit 7 distilleries.
However, this is only a recommended itinerary, obviously you will be free to choose which distilleries to visit; my husband and I were able to visit 3 and only one with a guided tour, the Glenfiddich which literally enchanted us. The tour lasted more than an hour but there was so much information and anecdotes that we were told that time has flown.
What can I say, the visits to the distilleries were certainly one of the most unforgettable experiences of our tour in Scotland, I will never forget the smell of whiskey and wood, the myriads of barrels in the warehouses, the kindness and friendliness of the guides, the charm, the passion and the story behind the production of the water of life.
