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Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Scotland's 10 'must-visit whisky distilleries' as historic coastal spot tops list
Many of the top Scottish distilleries offer tours and tasting experiences. A new list of Scotland's top "must-visit" distilleries has been shared by whisky experts. And the number one spot was awarded to one of the oldest distilleries in the country. Of all of the things Scotland is famous for, whisky may well top the list. The country's many distilleries produce whisky that is enjoyed all around the world. Retailer House of Bruar has published a list of "Scotland's top 10 must-visit whisky distilleries". The roundup features both legendary distilleries and lesser-known spots. Coming in at number one on House of Bruar's list of the best whisky distilleries in Scotland is The Oban Distillery. The distillery is situated in the coastal town of Oban in Argyll and Bute. It is one of the oldest and smallest distilleries in Scotland. Dating back further than Oban itself, it was founded in 1794 by brothers John and Hugh Stevenson. The distillery offers classic tours, with hosts sharing insights into the distillery's history and its unique whisky-making process. It also hosts tutored tasting experiences, in which visitors are talked through four different whiskies. House of Bruar commented: "Oban Distillery is one of Scotland's oldest sources of Single Malt Scotch Whisky, just a short walk from the sea. This coastal distillery is also one of the smallest producers of scotch whisky, with just seven experts crafting each bottle. "Oban whiskies are known for being sweet and moreish—our whisky shop is proud to stock the key malts from the distillery. "Visitors can enjoy a thorough tour of the distillery, including three drams of Oban Whisky. Or, if you're just interested in sampling the goods available, the 'Taste of Oban' experience features a guided tasting session with an expert to help you get the most out of each sip." Elsewhere, coming in at number two on House of Bruar's roundup is Tomatin Distillery in the Highlands village of Tomatin. Dating back to 1897, the distillery's single malt and blended whiskies are made using the soft waters of the Alt-na-Frith. Tomatin Distillery features 12 whisky stills that remain in use to this day. Described by House of Bruar as a "must-visit for whisky geeks", the distillery is also home to a large mash tun that is open for visitors to see inside. In third place on the experts' list is the famous Talisker Distillery on the Isle of Skye. The distillery, which is tucked along the shores of Loch Harport, was founded in 1830. House of Bruar noted Talisker for its breathtaking coastal surroundings, as well as its unique peaty whiskies. The distillery also offers guided tours that provide an interesting insight into traditional whisky-making processes, finishing off with a tasting session. Rounding out the top five on House of Bruar's 10 must-visit whisky distilleries are the Dalwhinnie Distillery in the Cairngorm National Park and Glengoyne Distillery near Glasgow in fourth and fifth place, respectively. The former was noted for its "informative tours", while the latter received praise for its "in-depth, hands-on sessions". Other distilleries to be featured on the experts' list include the Blair Athol Distillery in Pitlochry, the Glenkinchie Distillery in East Lothian, and the Lochranza Distillery on the Isle of Arran. Completing the top 10 are The Glenfiddich Distillery in Speyside and the Clydeside Distillery in Glasgow. Oban Distillery Tomatin Distillery Talisker Distiller Dalwhinnie Distillery Glengoyne Distillery Blair Athol Distillery Glenkinchie Distillery Lochranza (Arran) Distillery The Glenfiddich Distillery Clydeside Distillery
Scotsman
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
New study reveals Scotland's Top 10 Must-Visit Whisky Distilleries
As brighter weather extends across Scotland's majestic landscapes, there's no better time to enjoy the nation's most famed tipple at one of its iconic distilleries. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With this in mind, the team at leading luxury Scottish retailer House of Bruar have ranked and revealed the nation's top 10 must-visit whisky distilleries. Using a seedlist of Scotland's most popular distilleries, the team at House of Bruar compiled the top 30 distilleries. Using Google ratings and reviews, this list was condensed to include the 10 best distilleries to visit this summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The full report can be accessed here: Whisky Distillery See the distilleries that made it to the top 5 below… Oban Distillery — West Highlands First on the list is the Oban Distillery, located at the base of a cliff overlooking the historic town of Oban. With an average rating of 4.8 across 1,303 reviews, this distillery is a must-see destination renowned for its authentic production process and picturesque location. Oban Distillery is one of Scotland's oldest sources of Single Malt Scotch Whisky, just a short walk from the sea. This coastal distillery is also one of the smallest producers of scotch whisky, with just seven experts crafting each bottle. Visitors can enjoy a thorough tour of the distillery, including three drams of Oban Whisky. Or, if you're just interested in sampling the goods available, the 'Taste of Oban' experience features a guided tasting session with an expert to help you get the most out of each sip. Tomatin Distillery — Inverness Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Next in the ranking is the beautiful Tomatin Distillery, situated in the historic namesake village of Tomatin, just 16 miles south of Inverness. This distillery received a total rating of 4.7 across 1,298 reviews, highlighting the destination's popularity. The village has been a prominent destination for whisky brewing since the 1700s. The distillery was established in 1897 and, after a short period of closure during the early 1900s, saw a boom in popularity following the Second World War. Today, Tomatin Distillery boasts an impressive 12 whisky stills that remain in use at any time. Here, numerous single malts and blended scotch whiskies are produced regularly, many of which can be sampled during your tour. Talisker Distillery — Isle of Skye In third place is Talisker Distillery. Nestled on the rugged Isle of Skye, Talisker Distillery is a testament to maritime whisky heritage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With a Google rating of 4.2 across 1,222 reviews, visitors praise its dramatic coastal setting and the distinctive, peaty whiskies it produces. Established in 1830, Talisker is the oldest working distillery on Skye, renowned for its rich history and robust flavours. The guided tours offer a fascinating glimpse into traditional whisky-making processes, culminating in a tasting session where you can savour the iconic Talisker 10-Year-Old and other fine whiskies. Talisker's unique character and scenic location make it a must-visit for whisky enthusiasts. Dalwhinnie Distillery — Central Highlands In fourth place is Dalwhinnie Distillery, located in the heart of the Central Highlands. It boasts a Google rating of 4.7 from 986 reviews. Known for its smooth and delicate whiskies, Dalwhinnie offers a drink with a view, surrounded by the spectacular Cairngorm Mountains. The distillery is the highest in Scotland, sitting at an astonishing 1164 feet above sea level. Established in 1897, it produces classic Highland single malts characterised by their heather-honeyed sweetness and a hint of peat. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Visitors can explore the distillery through informative tours detailing the unique distillation process and conclude with tastings of the signature Dalwhinnie 15-Year-Old. Its remote, picturesque setting and exceptional whisky make Dalwhinnie a highlight on any whisky trail. Glengoyne Distillery — Southern Highlands Next, in fifth place, is Glengoyne Distillery, a gem in the Southern Highlands with an impressive Google rating of 4.8 across 851 reviews. Located just north of Glasgow, it's known for producing unpeated, sherry-matured whiskies that offer a rich and complex flavour profile. Established in 1833, Glengoyne prides itself on a slow distillation process that enhances the depth of flavour in its whiskies. Uniquely, the distillery produces Highland single malt whisky that is meticulously matured in the Lowlands.
