By place · DISTILLERY TOURS IN THE UK
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 distillery tours in the UK worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to check before you commit.
Tour Holyrood Distillery in central Edinburgh with an English-speaking guide such as Courtney, Dave, or Callum. Start with a seasonal cocktail, visit the gin lab and whisky floor, then taste gin and single malt whisky while learning about yeasts, oak, and modern Scotch production.
“We loved our tour with Thais! She was knowledgeable , fun and had a great sense of humor. Would highly reccomended :)”
Spend one hour at Clydeside Distillery with guides such as Nina, Linzi, or Madeleine. Explore the 1877 Old Pumphouse, watch the whisky-making process, admire River Clyde views, and taste three Clydeside drams. You keep the small tasting glass, and non-drinkers can take samples home.
“Loved learning about the history of Clydeside Distillery and tasting their whiskies! Really engaging and humorous tour, absolutely would recommend!”
At Bombay Sapphire’s Laverstoke Mill, guide-led tours with hosts such as Luke, Naomi, Nick, or Helen cover ten botanicals, glasshouses, vapor infusion, and the old paper mill. You’ll make a G&T at the Turbine Bar, watch a short film, and finish with cocktail options.
“Value for money, and interesting experience. Option of non alcoholic drink was nice. Could've shown Around more stuff.”
Explore the Port of Leith Distillery with an English-speaking guide such as Olivia or Ellie. See its unusual vertical design, fill a miniature bottle of new make spirit, and taste new make, port, sherry, and table whisky in the QC LAB. The distillery bar requires a separate booking.
“Beautiful new distillery, and the second vertical one in Europe. Our tour guide Olivia was knowledgeable and fun. We got to bottle and keep a small bottle of their "hearts" distilled spirit. The tasting was good. ***WARNING: Given it's a new distillery they have yet to release their own whisky. Thus that is not part of the tasting.***”
At Holyrood Distillery, you’ll tour a young Edinburgh whisky and gin maker, see its experimental approach, and taste several spirits. Guides such as Diego, Brice, Courtney, and Neil bring their own style to the hour-long visit, which ends at the bar and shop.
“Very interesting and good experience! A guide who was passionate about whisky and was very good at explaining and creating a feel-good ambiance.”
At 56 North Distillery, learn how South Loch Gin is made, from botanicals and copper stills to bottling. Your English-speaking guide leads a G&T, three guided samples, and a final cocktail. The tour also includes Scotland’s oldest dedicated gin bar and its extensive spirit collection.
“Very informative and fun! Our lovely guide Abby made the whole experience very interesting and the atmosphere was very cozy. Liked it a lot (including the tastes of the gins) - totally recommend it ✌️”
Visit Aberfeldy Distillery for a film, self-guided heritage centre, working distillery and warehouse tour, and a whisky tasting. Your guide leads a group of no more than eight. Choose three expressions, or upgrade to five, then browse the shop and enjoy the on-site cafe.
“We didn’t know much about Whisky before this tour, but now we understand a bit more about the history behind, how they make it and what differences there are. Our guide was an excellent story teller & we felt that he knew a lot about the production. It was very interesting and we strongly recommend this tour, even if you don’t drink a lot of whisky.”
Spend 90 minutes at Glengoyne Distillery with an English-speaking guide such as John, Aiden, or Rebecca. See the mash tun, washbacks, copper stills, and No. 1 Warehouse, then taste three whiskies with Scottish chocolate pairings. Adults only, with wheelchair access and free parking.
“Great! Very informative and our guide Frank was awesome!”
Tour McConnell’s Belfast distillery inside the restored A-Wing of Crumlin Road Gaol. An expert host, including guides such as Sam or Gerald, explains the 1776 Belfast brand, the stills, and each whisky before you taste McConnell’s 5 Year, Sherry Cask, and new make.
“Really good experience which really came to life due to sam’s passion and enthusiasm for what she was doing. I would recommend this experience to anyone .”
Travel from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose, and Glenkinchie Distillery with an English-speaking driver-guide. Expect scenic Lowland roads, carved medieval stonework, free time for lunch, and an optional whisky tour and tasting. Guides vary, with Eric, Stuart, Marty, and Neil among the names praised for lively commentary.
“Stuart was very informative and we really enjoyed the excursion. Melrose chapel was under construction so we couldn't go in but got a couple pictures from the outside. Rosslyn was beautiful and really worth the trip. Our guide at Glenkinchen, a gentleman who's name I didn't get, was awesome! He brought us through each stage of making Whisky and you could tell he really loves what he does.”
Spend one hour inside Edinburgh’s Holyrood Distillery with an English-speaking guide such as Dave, Brice, or Matthew. See the Spirits Lab, production floor, and cask room, then taste four samples at different stages, from unaged spirit to mature single malt.
“Great tour that focused on Whisky making. We were able to taste different whisky and Dave our guide had a solid understanding of how to make whisky and other liquors. A new facility, and we saw all the steps to make a whisky. Recommended”
Spend 90 minutes exploring the UK’s first vertical distillery with an English-speaking guide such as Isobel, Leo, Rocky, or Simon. Follow whisky production from spirit to maturation, fill a miniature bottle of new make, and taste new make, port, sherry, and table whisky.
“Guide (Rocky) was funny & knowledgeable on the tour. Bar food and service was fantastic.”
Spend one hour at Pickering’s Gin in Summerhall with an English-speaking guide such as Jamie, Alyssa, or Max. See the stills, learn the distilling process, taste four gins with different mixers, enjoy a G&T, and leave with a 5cl bottle.
“Our tour was basically a private tour! It was my husband and I with our tour guilds Alissa (I think that’s how she spells it). She still took the time to go over every aspect of the history and distilling process at Pickering’s distillery! My husband is very interested in making his own gin so this “private” tour was excellent for us because he was able to get answers to his questions and have a front row view of their process. We enjoyed their gin so much we bought quite a few bottles for ourselves and friends back home! I love that we got to dip seal our own bottles,…”
At Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches, your English-speaking guide leads a 70-minute tour through gin history, the Flavour Arch, and the Stillhouse. You taste several gins and liqueurs with mixers and garnishes, then finish with a drink in the Distillery Bar. Guests must be 18 or older.
“Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable, just the right amount of alcohol with her so nobody consumed too much. It was very interesting to learn about the botanicals that went into the final product.”
At Uilebheist Brewery & Distillery in Inverness, an English-speaking guide explains how whisky and beer are made, with folklore woven into the tour. Your 75-minute visit ends with three tastings: new-make spirit, Colpach whisky, and beer. Groups are capped at 15.
“Our guide, Richard, was very knowledgeable and took the time to explain everything in detail. Tasting part of the tour was a bit lacking.”
Pick a bottle and see where it is poured properly.
