The 10 Best Distilleries in Scotland, United Kingdom

February 23, 2022 Agatha Simes

– in Europe  (green & dark grey) – in the United Kingdom  (green)
Restaurants in Scotland

1. Laphroaig Distillery

Laphroaig Distillery, Port Ellen PA42 7DU Scotland +44 1496 302418 [email protected] http://www.laphroaig.com/en/book-islay-distillery-tour
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,093 reviews

Laphroaig Distillery

For nearly 200 years a small team of dedicated islanders have worked here to create what is considered to be the most distinctive single malt in the world. Of course over time the people change, but our traditional methods, the ancient skills and absolute dedication to quality always remains. We would be proud if you make the journey to visit our home and you will be assured of the warmest of welcomes when you do.

Reviewed By nature-travel-12 - Leeds, United Kingdom

We had a great distillery tour! Very interesting. Lovely friendly and welcoming staff. A great range of choices in the gift shop! Extensive museum. Cosy ‘cafe’ area! A free small bottle for us as we arrived as ‘friends of laphroig’, another free ‘welcome whisky’ in the cafe before the tour, and 3 tasters after, all for the total price of £10! Amazing. We also enjoyed heading out to the field to place our ‘plot’ flag. All in all a great experience and we’d really recommend it!

2. Benromach

Benromach House Invererne Road, Forres IV36 3EB Scotland +44 1309 675968 [email protected] http://www.benromach.com
Excellent
83%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 304 reviews

Benromach

Located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres lies Benromach Distillery. From a small and almost lost distillery emerged a single malt withdistinctive qualities reflecting its hand made credentials as well as encapsulating the self-reliance, sophistication and modern values of Scotland today.Established in 1898, the distillery experienced many closures and changes in ownership prior to 1993, when malt whisky specialists, Gordon & MacPhail rescued it. Following an extensive reinstallation project, embracing the distillery's original character, Benromach was officially re-opened by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1998.Just three experienced distillers create Benromach using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. They personally ensure that only the highest quality spirit is filled into sturdy oak casks before being left to mature at Benromach Distillery for many years.

Reviewed By Nowuries - Colorado Springs, United States

Myself and 8 others on a Rabbie's Tour enjoyed a fabulous distillery tour and tasting at Benromach. Though a small distillery, they truly care about their products, they act like a team/family, and have staff who truly love what they do!! Alec was our guide, and if possible, ask for him--he was witty, had great stories, and spewed passion for the product!! As for the tasting, we got to try 3 expressions, with proper tasting drams, and Alec walked us through each and what made them unique, their main character elements, and how they all tie into the Benromach line. I absolutely love the tour, am a new fan (and member) of Benromach whiskies, and cannot wait to go back with my wife for a more extensive and detailed tasting--it will literally be the first distillery we visit when I return with her to Scotland. They are that good!!!

3. Eden Mill

Main Street, St. Andrews KY16 0US Scotland +44 1334 834038 [email protected] http://www.edenmill.com
Excellent
88%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,025 reviews

Eden Mill

NEW DISTILLERY CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION. UNFORTUNATELY WE'RE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO ACCEPT VISITORS. Just outside St Andrews, Eden Mill is Scotland's original single-site brewery & distillery. Since 2012 we've been brewing and distilling here, creating a unique and diverse range of beer, gin and whisky.

Reviewed By D361JDlisap - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

What a great afternoon we had blending our own gin and hearing the interesting takes of gin and the history of Eden Mill from Matthew who was very engaging and a fantastic host. Would absolutely recommend.

4. Pickering's Gin Distillery

1 Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL Scotland +44 131 290 2901 [email protected] http://pickeringsgin.com/pages/tours
Excellent
94%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,224 reviews

Pickering's Gin Distillery

Pickering's Gin is distilled by hand at the Summerhall Distillery, Edinburgh's first exclusive gin distillery to open in 150 years. We are delighted to host guided tours and tastings. Please visit our website to book a tour and to check availability. Tours last approximately 80 minutes. For a mere £15 a head you can: - See our wacky 'Old Workshop', filled with our own inventions - Learn how hand crafted, small batch gin is made - Marvel at the botanicals room, still and bottling line - Sample all four Pickering's gin expressions - Get a wee G&T kit to take home - Explore the labyrinth of exhibitions and events within Summerhall Summerhall Distillery.

Reviewed By colinb319

Fantastic little distillery! A great tour with a very knowledgeable guide who talked us through the history of gin and the journey of the two founders and a passionate team in creating exceptional, delicious gin! A real treat and a must see.

5. Edinburgh Gin Distillery

1A Rutland Place, Edinburgh EH1 2AD Scotland +44 131 656 2810 [email protected] https://www.edinburghgin.com/
Excellent
92%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,505 reviews

Edinburgh Gin Distillery

Advance booking is essential as we are unable to offer walk in tours. Located in the beating heart of Scotland's capital, the Edinburgh Gin Distillery is a destination quite unlike any other. It's here that we produce small batches of gin, inspired by the majesty, marvel and mischief of Edinburgh and its inhabitants. The Edinburgh Gin Visitor Centre is a space in the capital where you can indulge both the mind and the palate in all things gin. From taking a tour or a guided tasting, to trying your hand at making your own, our goal is the educate, excite and libate; all in equal measure.

Reviewed By beverlyrevelry

This tour was fantastic in every way, from the knowledge and enthusiasm of our guide, Allan, to the behind-the-scenes look at the distilling process, to the generous and inspired tasting session! I heartily recommend making it a part of your Edinburgh itinerary!

6. Glen Scotia Distillery

12 High Street, Campbeltown PA28 6DS Scotland +44 1586 552288 http://www.glenscotia.com
Excellent
86%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 71 reviews

Glen Scotia Distillery

Reviewed By suzzytravels - Darlington, United Kingdom

Myself and some friends went on a tour and whisky tasting here and had a blast. The tour guide was funny and informative, answering all our questions about the local area and the whisky making process. The building is tastefully decorated and kitted out so it feels modern and old fashioned all at once and the whisky we tasted at the end was so delicious I bought a bottle of the Victoriana to take home as well as a bottle of Double Cask for my parents, which they thoroughly appreciated as part of their Anniversary present. If I come back to Kintyre I will definitely be visiting Glen Scotia again.

7. Crafty Distillery

Wigtown Road, Newton Stewart DG8 6AS Scotland +44 1671 404040 [email protected] http://www.craftydistillery.com
Excellent
95%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 120 reviews

Crafty Distillery

Nestled on the edge of Newton Stewart our modern grain to glass distillery pumps out gallons of tasty gin, whisky & vodka and delivers panoramic views over the Galloway Hills. Here you can learn about our unique distilling approach and enjoy a taste of our award winning spirits including our flagship Hills & Harbour Gin. Enjoy a tour of our distillery, and learn how we make our very own spirit from scratch and the process for making our Gin, Vodka and very soon our Single Malt Scotch Whisky. After the tour you can then enjoy a perfect serve of our Hills & Harbour Gin and other spirits while taking in the amazing views from the distillery over the Galloway Hills. Hungry? Our take away Galloway Picnic offering brings your some of the best artisan producers of our region. Choose from local cheeses, preserves and craft beers.

Reviewed By Morzinois - Altrincham, United Kingdom

Excellent tour and fascinating facts about the making of the alcohol and the gin flavourings - well worth a visit - lunch is interesting as you choose your own from a deli fridge and they cut up the bread for a picnic at the tables!

8. NB Distillery

Halflandbarns, North Berwick EH39 5PW Scotland +44 1620 894744 [email protected] http://www.nbdistillery.com
Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 61 reviews

NB Distillery

A real distillery that produces multi award winning NB Gin, vodka and rum offering a luxury visitor experience and The Cellar Door shop that has great cellar door prices on all products!

Reviewed By brianmX8418JA - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

The NB Distillery tour and gin tasting was a great 75 minutes. We were met by very friendly and knowledgeable guides. They told us the interesting story of the creation and the short history of the distillery , which included a tour of the production facility. We then enjoyed a tasting session of their excellent products (three gins, a vodka and one of their three rums), before buying some "souvenirs" and departing with broad smiles on our faces!

9. The Borders Distillery

Commercial Road, Hawick TD9 7AQ Scotland +44 1450 374330 [email protected] http://www.thebordersdistillery.com/
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 84 reviews

The Borders Distillery

The Borders Distillery® opened in March 2018 – the first Scotch Whisky distillery in the Scottish Borders since 1837. We’re dedicated to capturing the true spirit of the Borders, and bringing whisky-making back to the region. Our hometown, Hawick, has a famous history of manufacturing, where cashmere is king and where tweed was invented. There is a spirit of industry and enterprise in the town that inspires us in everything we do. The distillery is in a landmark building in the centre of town, making us both familiar and new. Occupying the site of the former Hawick Urban Electrical Company, we undertook a complete and careful renovation of the building, turning it into a fully functioning distillery. With an attention to detail and acknowledgement of the building’s history, every tiny detail has been covered. From the restoration of the original 1930 crane, to the lead welded windows, we are immensely proud of every bit of the renovation. Visit us, and see it for yourself.

Reviewed By AnnB623 - Bristol, United Kingdom

We pre-booked a small group tour for our family group at this new Borders distillery, and were lucky enough to be shown around personally by their distiller, Robyn! Her passion, enthusiasm and knowledge shone through from the start in her engaging style and we had a brilliant tour around the wonderfully renovated industrial building. Sadly the distillery wasn’t in operation as they are awaiting storage space construction, held up by Covid 19, but Robyn brought the process alive for us and it was a fascinating, personal and most enjoyable visit. The bar at the end had a great photo exhibition, and was the venue for our included tasting session...... really delicious William Kerr’s gin and Puffing Billy vodka made on site, and their Clan Fraser blended whisky. We loved our tour, and couldn’t resist purchasing some of the spirits and other goodies in the friendly and beautiful shop. A most enjoyable visit. Thank you!

10. The Scotch Whisky Experience

354 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE Scotland +44 131 220 0441 [email protected] http://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/
Excellent
61%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,457 reviews

The Scotch Whisky Experience

Take a barrel ride as you actually become part of the whisky making process. Experience for yourself our regional whiskies and whether you like fruity, sweet or smoky flavours our experts will help you select your perfect dram.Enter the vault containing the world's largest collection of Scotch Whiskies and enjoy a special tutored nosing and tasting. Explore Scotland's whisky history from the very beginnings through to the global success of today.

Reviewed By RDHiscott - Lion's Head, Canada

Along The Royal Mile in Edinburgh, this is the home of the world’s largest collection of Scotch Whiskies, and visitors have the opportunity to watch the history of Scotch Whisky and how it is created via a moving amusement park-like ride, leading to a lesson in nosing and tasting of the final product with a full shot to sample (Cambeltown), followed by a sampling of four half-shots of whiskies produced in different regions of Scotland (Lowland, Highland, Speyside and Islay). This was a total immersive and truly relaxing experience … great fun, but don’t sample on an empty stomach! Gift shop had a great collection of Scotch Whiskies from all regions of the country.

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