Whisky , or Scotch as North Americans refer to it, is a tradition in Scotland. The finest malt whisky in the world is produced in this small northern country and so it should be as the Scotts have been brewing whisky for over 500 years. If you are a whisky aficionado or just curious as to how whisky is made then no visit to Scotland would be complete without touring at least one distillery.
There are over forty distilleries open to the public in Scotland and there isnt just one whisky trail. The country is divided into several whisky producing areas each producing its own style of whisky and each with its own version of a whisky trail.
The major whisky producing areas in Scotland are:
Speyside, once part of the highland region, it is now a major centre for whisky tourism. It is home to Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and Macallan distilleries. You will be following the malt whisky trail in the Speyside area.
Lowland Region, which produces tripled distilled whisky and is home to three malt whisky distilleries.
Highland Region, where the Glenmorangie and Dalwhinnie distilleries are located.
The Whisky Coast on the west coast of Scotland stretches from Campbeltown in the south to Fort William/Portree in the north and includes the Scottish whisky islands of Arran, Jura, Mull, Skye and Islay. There are sixteen distilleries on the Whisky coast that offer tours.
You can begin your journey on the whisky trail in Edinburgh and the best place to start is at Castlehill also known as the Edinburgh Castle. Take the Royal Mile, the cobbled stone road that leads the Holyrood place, to the Scotch Whisky Experience for a great introductory tour. They have one of the most well stocked whisky bars in Edinburgh and a Scotch Whisky themed restaurant. Try a glass of rare old Scotch at the bar.
There are several distilleries within a two hour drive out of Edinburgh that you can tour. Visit the Glenuurret Distillery, reputed to be the oldest working distiller in Scotland. Established in 1775, it is also the home of Scotlands best selling Scotch, the Famous Grouse Experience. Stop at the Glenkinchie Distillery and sample one of their lowland single malts. Or try a highland single malt at the Tullibardine Distillery.
Organized tours are available for several of the most popular whisky producing areas. Take a tour and visit several distilleries without having to worry about transportation or accommodation. Since the whisky trail is a popular tourist destination in Scotland, a packaged tour will assure you of entrance to the distillers without having to worry about booking ahead. And it will also make sampling some of the finer brews more enjoyable if you dont have to worry about drinking.
Whether you decide to take an organized tour or go it on your own, following one of the Whisky Trials is a fascinating way to spend your holiday in Scotland.
How to tell a Single Malt Scotch Whisky
To qualify as a single malt Scotch whisky it must: 1.be the product of only one distillery 2.be made exclusively from barley malt 3.be made in Scotland 4.be at least three years old.
http://www.scotland.org/about/entertainment-and-sport/features/culture/scottish-whisky-tourism.html
Scotch Whisky Heritage Center: http://www.whisky-heritage.co.uk/ http://www.list.co.uk/place/102257-amber/
Scotch Whisky Distilleries: http://www.scotchwhisky.net/distilleries/
Information on the various whisky trails and distilleries: http://www.scotland.com/explore/scottish-whisky-trail/ http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/home/jhb/whisky/ http://www.scotlandwhisky.com/plan-your-visit/ http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/articles/scotch_whisky_distilleries.htm http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/articles/scotch_whisky_distilleries2.htm http://www.maltwhiskytrail.com/ http://www.aboutinverness.co.uk/inverness-city-guide/whisky-and-castles/scottish-whisky.htm
Hotels on the whisky trail: http://www.scotland-inverness.co.uk/whisky.htm
