Eight of Scotland’s Best Whisky and Gin Distilleries to Visit
Learn to distinguish your Islay from your Skye, sniff out hand-picked botanicals and enjoy a wee dram by the fireside in these immersive distillery visits.
21 April, 2021
- Words by
- Phoebe Hunt
Scotland
Scotland
has the greatest density of whisky production in the
world, with well over 100 grain and malt distilleries dotted around
the Highlands
and islands. With pure water and a history of several centuries,
Scotland is
believed to be the original home of whisky. The process requires
just four ingredients – water, malt, peat, yeast – and yet bottles
vary from smoky to floral. Gin follows closely behind and Hendrix,
Gordon’s and Tanqueray all hail from Scotland,
joined by myriad small-batch artisans.
As we look to the UK to
scratch our immediate travel itches this year, distilleries across
Scotland are set to re-open with creative experiences appealing to
spirit lovers. Coupled with a road trip ticking off some of the
country’s most picturesque spots, bespoke tours around some of the
biggest players in the whisky and gin worlds gets you straight to
the heart of the
Highlands.
Raise a glass to the finest spirit distilleries in Scotland
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Lindores Abbey
Fife
The self-proclaimed “spiritual home of whisky”, Lindores Abbey
was referenced in the Scottish Exchequer Roll of 1494 – the
earliest written note on scotch – and is widely recognised as being
where it all began. Tours are focused on the modern production
process, but the medieval abbey’s surroundings ooze history.
Private tastings including chocolate and cheese pairings from Fife
artisans, while you can also try your hand at monastic tasks such
as basket weaving or calligraphy. Come the weekend, regional chefs
cook fillet steak and local lobster on a courtyard barbecue fuelled
by whisky-infused wood.
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Isle of Harris Gin
Isle of Harris
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Bladnoch
Newton Stewart
Address
Bladnoch Distillery, Bladnoch, Dumfries and Galloway, DG8 9AB
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Eight Lands
Keith
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Botanist Gin and Bruichladdich Whisky
Isle of Islay
Address
Bruichladdich Distillery, Isle of Islay, Argyll, Scotland, PA49 7UN
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The Port of Leith Distillery
Leith
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Lagavulin
Isle of Islay
Address
Lagavulin Distillery, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Scotland, PA42 7DZ
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The Macallan
Easter Elchies