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Scotland is well known as a land of rolling hills, towering castles, craggy peaks, and perfectly aged Scottish whisky. Whisky connoisseurs come to Scotland to taste some of the best liquor in the world and tour the distilleries that have been there for hundreds of years. Experiencing this unique place and nation and the iconic distilleries Scotland offers is best done in style and luxury. We’ve compiled the ultimate luxury whisky tour checklist. Take our advice, and you’ll see the best that Scotland’s whisky makers have to offer and take home memories that will last a lifetime.
A Brief History
Scotch Whisky is believed to have begun due to a lack of grapes in the area. Instead of making wine, Scots used grain mash to create the first forms of the whisky. The original name for the drink translates (from Gaelic) to mean “water of life.”
Travelling in Style
Start your whisky tour as you mean to finish it: in style. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that your holiday begins when you arrive in Scotland: the adventure will begin the moment you step into your private jet to make the journey there. Booking a private jet charter means that you and your party will have the entire cabin to yourself and that you can personalise your travel schedule to a much greater degree than you would on a commercial airline. Book your plane for the trip to Scotland and travel from region to region to taste some of the most famous and delicious Scottish whiskies.
Famous Distilleries To Visit
Glengoyne Distillery, Dumgoyne
Since 1833, there has not been one month in which whisky has not flowed from Glengoyne Distillery. The highlands-style single malt crafted at Glengoyne is unique because, though it is a highlands-style scotch, it matures in the lowlands.
Interestingly, this distillery is located along the border between the high and lowlands, with the stills resident in the highlands and the casks residing in the lowlands. This distillery is a testament to the complexity of this intricate industry and how complex the art of whisky-making can be.
Closest airport: Glasgow: 33 minutes away.
Luxury accommodation nearby: Kimpton Blythswood Square, Glasgow.
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Glenfiddich Distillery, Dufftown
Glenfiddich is possibly one of the world's best and most famous whiskies and best known in Scotland. Nestled in the little hamlet of Dufftown, Glenfiddich has been operating since 1886. Glenfiddich still works with traditional distillation methods using copper pot stills and classic oak barrels. The single malt created here draws in guests from all over the world. You can attend tours and tasting sessions at the distillery to get acquainted with the product. Glenfiddich has dealt with some hardships over the course of its history but always comes out on top: they’ve won more awards than any other single malt scotch in the country.
Closest airport: Inverness — 1 hour and 20 minutes away
Luxury accommodation nearby: Rocpool Reserve Hotel
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Laphroaig Distillery, Isle of Islay
The distinctive smoky, peaty flavour infused into Laphroaig whisky is what makes it stand out above a lot of the other excellent options. The distillery on the Isle of Islay has been operating since 1815 and was founded by members of the Clan MacDonald. The abundance of peat on the island is the reason for the distinctive taste that the whisky takes on, something that only island whiskies have the option of doing. The pristine white walls and slate grey rooves of the distillery building itself blend seamlessly into the stormy island views and make for an enticing day trip.
Closest airport: Islay — 11 minutes away
Luxury accommodation nearby: The Machrie Hotel and Links
Unknown Gem Distilleries
Tamdhu Distillery
Clocking in at just over 170 years old, the Tamdhu Distillery is an incredibly underrated location in the Speyside whisky region. Records show that the founders of Tamdhu were the first in Scotland to secure a shipment of sherry casks from Spain, and that is how they’ve done things ever since: in oak sherry casks. The brand believes the wood lends a distinctive taste to the scotch.
Benromach
Also located in the Speyside region, you’ll find Benromach Distillery. This family-owned distillery likes to keep things as simple as it can and prides itself on its distillers relying only on their highly trained senses to create their award-winning ambrosia. The character in each drop clearly shows that their process is one to appreciate because we predict that this whisky will soon compete with the all-time greats.
Torabhaig
This distillery’s claim to fame is that it makes superb whisky and is the second distillery ever to have been licensed to produce single malt scotch whisky. Being an island distiller, the location is a massive part of what makes this drink so unique, as the purest spring water (from an island spring) is used to create the scotch. The copper stills and wooden washbacks used in the process ensure that Torabhaig will continue to produce excellent whisky for hundreds of years to come.
Your Scottish Whisky Adventure Awaits
Travelling in high style, visiting some of the most well-known distilleries in the world, sampling some underrated gems, and staying in the most luxurious hotels available is the perfect way to experience whisky country. Your Scottish whisky tour will be the experience of a lifetime. For more Scotch whisky articles, including our recommended bottles, click here.