Scotland is known for its kilts, bagpipes, and whiskey. Just the mention of Scotland is likely to make a whiskey fan swoon. Tasting scotch in its native land is a unique experience—imagine not only drinking this luxurious golden liquid, but actually learning about all the work and careful crafting that goes into producing a bottle of the stuff is fascinating.
On your next trip to Scotland, visit one of the hundreds of distilleries and earn a new appreciation for scotch. From whiskey giants like Glenfiddich to smaller local distilleries, here are the 10 with the best scotch tours. (Did you know that in Scotland, a Scotch whisky is spelled without the "e?")
10 Glenfiddich
Glenfiddich is the aqua vitae for Scotch drinkers all over the world, being the world's most awarded single malt whiskey. Visit the distillery in Dufftown, where the most malt whiskey in Scotland is produced. Dufftown is a little far from the major cities, but if you're going to the Highlands, it's a perfect stop.
Glenfiddich offers four tours of varying degrees of immersiveness--tours start at a £10 tour for a basic look into what goes into making this legendary whiskey, and up to a £95, 4-hour tour for die-hard whiskey fans. Rest assured, you'll get to sample Glenfiddich's whiskies.
9 Laphroaig
Take a trip out to the Hebrides and lounge about on the Isle of Islay with your glass of scotch at Laphroaig distillery. Another one of the scotch giants, Laphroaig has been distilling whiskey for over 200 years, and they still stick to their traditional ways.
Choose from three tours, but their Water to Whiskey Experience is undoubtedly the best. It's a 5-hour comprehensive guide through the whisky making process, from Laphroaig's water source and peat bogs to the finished bottles. Finish with a picnic lunch and a 250ml bottle of your choice of whiskey.
8 Ardbeg
Why not kill two birds with one stone on a trip to Islay and visit Ardbeg Distillery as well? Like its neighbor Laphroaig, Ardbeg produces a pretty peaty whiskey, but it's not too smoky or heavy, so drinkers with all sorts of palates can enjoy.
Ardbeg's tour schedule changes with the season, so it's best to check the website ahead of your trip to see what they're offering. Tours of the facility and distilling process are available year-round, but during the summer months, Ardbeg runs outdoor tours and unique special experiences.
7 Arran
The Isle of Arran lies just southwest of Glasgow, and makes a great side trip from the city. While there, stop off at the island's only distillery, the Arran Distillery. Founded only in 1995, Arran Distillery is much younger than some of Scotland's more famous whiskey companies, but that doesn't mean it's not some of the finest scotch around.
The Arran tours are great for those on a budget, because no tour is more than £15 (unless you book the Combination Tour of two tours for £20). Arran Distillery offers a whiskey and chocolate pairing, where handcrafted chocolates are paired with select Arran drams.
6 Strathisla
Get the full whiskey experience plus the picturesque Instagram shot at Strathisla, widely regarded as the prettiest distillery in Scotland. It's also one of the oldest, having opened in 1786 and the home of Chivas Regal scotch.
Strathisla is a fully operating distillery, so you'll see exactly how the whiskey goes from bog to bottle. They offer a number of tours from the Traditional Distillery Tour to more tailored experiences like the Chivas Blending Experience, where visitors will learn how Strathisla blends their famous Chivas and even get to mix their own blend.
5 Edradour
Count yourself lucky if you've tasted the whiskey from this tiny distillery in Perthshire. Edradour, known as the smallest traditional distillery in Scotland, produces the last single malt from a farm distillery still in operation today.
Start off with two drams of their whiskey before you walk through the little village-like distillery with Edradour's fantastic guides. On your tour, you'll see how the whiskey is made using old-fashioned techniques that Edradour used back in Victorian times.
4 Cardhu
Cardhu, Scottish for "Black Rock," is conveniently located in the Speyside region, famous for its dozens of distilleries. Cardhu, however, is unique in that it was the first distillery to be pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming.
All of Cardhu's tours explain its dynamic history, and you won't find any stories quite like them. Each tour explains the distilling process and is finished with one or more drams of Cardhu whiskey. They also run a Tutored Nosing and Tasting catered specially for connoisseurs.
3 Glenlivet
Glenlivet is another of Scotland's world-famous whiskey, and if it's one of your favorites, check out the place where the magic happens. Also located in Speyside, the Glenlivet Distillery has been legally distilling since the early 19th century, but was undoubtedly bootlegging whiskey well before that.
Take the Classic Tour or the Outdoor Experience, or upgrade and book the Glenlivet Whisky Food Safari, where you'll learn about the notes and flavors of whiskey while preparing a dish to eat at the end of the tour.
2 Highland Park
Highland Park looks more like an old British street than an esteemed scotch distillery, but alas, the folks here have been distilling scotch since the 18th century. There's a slight trek to the Isle of Orkney to get to Highland Park, making it the northernmost distillery in Scotland, but also a highly rewarding trip.
Highland Park takes great pride in its Norse heritage, and its tours reflect that. Book the inexpensive Viking Soul Tour for only £10, or indulge in pricier tours of up to £250, which leads you behind the scenes of the process. It's a must if you want to sample their vintage!
1 Talisker
Everyone wants to go to the Isle of Skye, with its ethereal colors and otherworldly landscapes. But there's only one distillery left on this magical island: Talisker. The wild landscape where Talisker whiskey is distilled is reflected in the final product: a smoky, peaty flavor perfectly suited to the ruggedness of Skye.
The distillery overlooks Loch Harport with the Cuillins in the background, so be sure to savor your dram while you're here. Talisker offers a chocolate and whiskey pairing, which mixes unique combinations, so it's worth trying. They also have a comprehensive tour and tastings of 5 whiskies, another not to miss tour.