WHISKY is the undisputed national drink of Scotland with the industry surrounding this beverage generating billions of pounds every year.
Whether you enjoy a wee dram every now and again or are a whisky connoisseur, you may be looking for some of the best distillery experiences anywhere in the country.
This is why The Milroy’s Whisky Travel Index has compiled the best whisky distilleries in Scotland, featuring places in major cities like Edinburgh and rural destinations like Elgin.
See the best whisky distillery experiences you can visit in Scotland
These are the best whisky distillery experiences you can visit anywhere in Scotland (including their overall scores), according to The Milroy’s Whisky Travel Index.
- Ardbeg Distillery - 92.24
- Johnnie Walker Princes Street - 88.97
- Glenkinchie Distillery - 83.97
- Springbank Distillery - 83.84
- Bruichladdich Distillery - 83.50
- Glengoyne Distillery - 81.17
- Nc'nean Distillery - 79.45
- Deanston Distillery - 78.39
- Laphroaig Distillery - 78.34
- Glen Moray Distillery - 78.28
Praising the Ardbeg Visitors Centre, which took the top spot, the experts said: "Perched on the edge of Islay’s rocky coast, the Ardbeg Visitors Centre offers eight different experiences ranging from £20 to £90 per person ($25 to $114), including an outdoor tasting and picnic.
"Multiple top-five finishes across several categories, including average whisky review score, number of reviews, total tour and tasting experiences on offer, and recent industry award wins, helped propel Ardbeg to the number one spot on The Milroy’s Whisky Travel Index with a score of 92.24 out of 100."
Highlighting the runners-up, the index added: "Technically a purpose-built attraction rather than a distillery, Johnnie Walker’s award-winning Princess Street Visitors Centre came second in our top 50 whisky tour and tasting experiences, while the Glenkinchie Distillery, also known as Lowlands home of Johnnie Walker, finished in third place with a score of 83.97 out of 100."
See the best sustainable whisky distilleries in Scotland
Three sustainable distilleries in Scotland were also highlighted by the index with Nc'nean in Drimnin, Bruichladdich on Islay and Arbikie in Montrose being named.
Commending overall winner Nc'nean, the experts said: "Established in 2017, Nc'nean is a small independent distillery with a focus on crafting organic and sustainable whisky.
"Nc’nean has been recognised with multiple industry awards for its sustainable process and is a registered B-Corp - meaning that they have been independently verified to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here