Whisky Forum - Malt Whisky Bucket List

BubbaLikesIt · Member Joined: 04 Mar 2018 Posts: 6

I've never been to Scotland. Damn shame. My wife and I are planning to take a private whisky tour this summer and for the life of me, I don't know where to start. So many places to go, it's hard to make up your mind. Any experience with this would help. As it is now, my plan is just to show up and wing it. Might be exactly what we do.

DanO · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 7:16 pm Post subject:

Distilleries are open all year round give or take a few days such as Christmas and new years day. Many distilleries are open to the public and you can simply turn up and pay the price for a standard tour. Some distilleries offer more in-depth tours and tasting experiences which in most cases you have to book in advance, if you are really into your whisky I would recommend the in-depth tours and tastings.

A few distilleries worth visiting are Glenfarclas, the Balvenie in Speyside and if you like the peaty Islay whiskies then you could take in all the Islay distilleries in 3 or 4 days.

BubbaLikesIt · Member Joined: 04 Mar 2018 Posts: 6

Jontymo · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 9:46 pm Post subject:

We are booked in for the Warehouse no.1 tour at Glengoyne 2 weeks tomorrow. To say I am excited is an understatement, wife is booked in as well so will come away with 2 x 200 ml bottles of what we try! Just need to decide what else to purchase.

James T · Master Of Malts Joined: 05 Feb 2011 Posts: 2790

Some planning is needed particularly regards accommodation in certain places at certain times of year. Speyside is a must on any whisky tour as it has the biggest concentration of distilleries, I would recommend the Craigellachie Hotel in Speyside as a great base to visit many of the distilleries in Speyside and Balvenie, Aberlour and Glenfarclas are must visit distilleries they all offer special tours which are worth taking.

BubbaLikesIt · Member Joined: 04 Mar 2018 Posts: 6

webdunk · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 9:05 am Post subject:

Talisker is a lovely dram and the distillery is in a wonderful location. The Distillery / tour however left me a little cold - too corporate/Diageo-esque.

You sound like you have a load of time so I reckon the best bet will be to set up one or two particular distillery visits and then wing the rest. One of the great joys of wandering about Speyside is accidentally tripping over familiar names as you explore.

From my perspective, much as we love the diversity of the drams they produce, actual distillery tours are very same-y. They all do the same thing so that's not so much a criticism as a reality.

There are some wonderful whisky shops in the area which are well worth a visit for unearthing hidden gems or unusual bottlings. Often tastings are easily available and staff well capable of directing you to drams you are likely to enjoy.

Not quite summer (in fact it could easily still be snowing!), but in case you were up earlier, the Inverness Whisky festival is on in April.

My favourite tours have been the manager's tour at Benriach (mid-week only, booking essential), Executive tour at Strathisla and a night tour at Tomatin.

Happy hunting! Hope you have a great time.

Olorin · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:48 am Post subject:

Sounds like a fantastic trip, I have done Dalwhinnie and Talisker, which I enjoyed! If you do head to the Isle of Skye be sure to check out the Sligachan Hotel, there's a fantastic bar with 200-300 whiskies on offer Very Happy

BubbaLikesIt · Member Joined: 04 Mar 2018 Posts: 6

BubbaLikesIt · Member Joined: 04 Mar 2018 Posts: 6

webdunk · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2018 3:20 pm Post subject:

BubbaLikesIt · Member Joined: 04 Mar 2018 Posts: 6

Acksboy · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2018 8:20 pm Post subject:

Iâ€™d also recommend visiting the Speyside Cooperage just outside of Dufftown; a real insight into the importance of casks and you get to see the coopers at work.
As someone has already said, the Highlander Inn in Craigellachie is a wonderful bar (at least for a whisky puritan like me!). Snug little bar in beautiful surroundings with hundreds of whiskies and the owner is as passionate a whisky enthusiast youâ€™ll ever find.

webdunk · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2018 8:50 pm Post subject:

trout62 · New Member Joined: 21 Mar 2018 Posts: 2

If you do the Aberlour tour (or don't, for that matter), I highly recommend the Dowans hotel located maybe 100 yards from the distillery. As for their selection of scotches to try, check here:

https://www.dowanshotel.com/the-still/

Something like 500 to choose from.

Also, I can highly recommend the Oban distillery tour. Neat tour, lovely town. Stay at the Manor House Hotel.

Someone commented that the distilleries are basically always open for tours, but Clynelish was closed to tours last week (We will be in silent season from the 12th March until the 16th April with no access to the distillery meaning we will not be running any guided tours during this time) so be sure to verify before you go. The visitor center was open (all I was looking for) so I was able to snag one of the last few bottles of their current distillers edition. Also, was able to get a peek at the construction going on to reopen the Brora side.

Trout