Five Bars and Experiences Serving as the Ultimate Gateway into Whisky

For those with even the slightest interest in whisky, no visit to Scotland is complete without a tour (or several) of some of the country’s most amazing distilleries. Now, as amazing as distillery tours are, for people looking to learn more about Scotland’s national spirit, you cannot overlook some of the country’s bars and experiences.

Each time I’m in Scotland, it doesn’t matter how many distilleries I find myself at, I’ll always find the time to enjoy a dram or two in a whisky bar as well. Whisky bars for me, are an integral part of the whisky experience. They’re every bit as synonymous with the spirit as the distilleries that produce it. I just wish there were more of them.

Whenever people ask me how to enjoy whisky, I always tell them they need to truly experience it, not just taste it. A great way to do precisely that is to visit several of the country’s most fantastic whisky bars, and get yourself booked on an immersive whisky experience or two in the process.

Need a little nudge in the right direction? No problem, here are five whisky bars and experiences that I believe would serve as the ultimate gateway into whisky.

The Quaich Bar (Craigellachie Hotel)

Located in the heart of Speyside, in the magnificent Craigellachie Hotel, you will find the historic Quaich Bar, which dates way back to the 19th century.

Named after the Quaich, a Scottish two-handled drinking cup designed for sharing, the bar is the perfect venue for whisky aficionados, and those simply looking to sample a more unique dram compared with what they may be used to.

With its warm and cosy décor, red leather seating, wood cladded walls and shelves, there are more than 800 drams from around the world available here, including very rare and limited-edition expressions. What I also love, is the fact that the staff are not only incredibly clued up when it comes to whisky, but they’re also great laughs and extremely friendly too.

Port of Leith Distillery

Yes, I know I talk about it a lot, but for us here at GreatDrams, sustainability is an integral part of our business model, and is something at the heart of our core values. This is one of the main reasons why I was so impressed with Edinburgh’s Port of Leith Distillery.

The Port of Leith Distillery is Scotland’s first vertical distillery. Standing more than 40-metres tall, and situated on the banks of the Leith waterfront, the distillery was designed with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind. Each level of the vertical building focuses on a different stage of whisky production, including a top-floor bar, which offers food, drink, cocktails, and gorgeous panoramic views of Scotland’s capital.

They offer a wide range of experiences, including tours and tastings. Guests can even fill their own bottle of new mark spirit. For those who want to get a glimpse of what the future of whisky may look like, I can’t recommend this experience enough.

The Johnnie Walker Experience

Don’t worry, we’re not leaving Edinburgh just yet, because I can’t in good conscience talk about whisky experiences and not mention The Johnnie Walker Experience.

Johnnie Walker is one of the most iconic Scotch whisky brands on the planet. It’s beloved all over the world, and with its many different coloured labels, it offers something for everyone. For those looking to really immerse themselves in Scotch whisky, and find out what it truly is about, I cannot recommend The Johnnie Walker Experience enough.

Johnnie Walker, Princes Street, Edinburgh is one of the world’s premier interactive whisky experiences. It features tastings, guided walkthroughs and tours, actors and live performances, an immersive look at the history of this iconic brand, hologram sequences, cocktails, a rooftop bar, fine dining, city views, and a variety of other different tours and experiences.

Personally, I recommend their 90-minute Journey of Flavour, where you can discover your ultimate whisky flavour profile by taking a quick quiz. Failing that, why not combine two of life’s greatest pleasures, whisky and chocolate, together with their Chocolate & Whisky Pairing experience?

Just be aware, this is one of the most popular attractions in Edinburgh, and slots can sell out fast, especially during peak season so it’s always best to book in advance.

The Flying Dutchman Whisky Boat

If you’re looking for a truly unique whisky experience, the tall ship Flying Dutchman offers a wide range of different cruises across Scotland, including whisky-centric ones.

Sailing across Scotland, to islands and regions synonymous with whisky, including Jura, Mull, and Islay, lucky guests not only get to enjoy a variety of whisky tastings, experiences, and drams on board, but they can also tour a plethora of different distilleries as well.

For foodies, the cuisine is another huge reason to book. The chefs on board offer a selection of mouth-watering dishes, including plenty of recipes containing whisky. Then of course, there’s live entertainment, including Scottish folk musicians so there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone.

Cruises operate at different times of the year, in different regions, so if there is a region you’ve had your eye on for some time, you won’t want to miss out.

The Islay Whisky Bar at Ballygrant Inn

Finally, for lovers of a smoky dram, or those simply looking for a glimpse into whisky’s past, The Islay Bar at Ballygrant Inn is my final recommendation. This is one I can wholeheartedly recommend as I myself have visited multiple times and have loved it each and every single time I stayed. I even wrote about it over a decade ago, so feel free to check that out and see how much it’s changed.

The bar itself is quaint, warm, friendly, and inviting. There’s comfortable seating made from reclaimed materials from an old Bruichladdich washback, and a woodburning stove so you can keep nice and toasty during the 10 months of the year where it’s chilly. It also happens to be located in one of the most picturesque parts of the island, with breathtaking views toward the Paps of Jura. Oh, and the icing on the cake? It’s also dog friendly. Seriously, a roaring fire, great company, a cosy atmosphere, stunning drams, and four-legged companions. What more could you ask for?

Remember, the goal here is to get people interested in whisky, and in order to do that, one has to taste whisky. Fortunately, there are said to be over 1,200 different whiskies to try here, not only from across Scotland, but from all over the world too. Of course, with its location, it’s the Islay drams that get the most attention, so if smoky whisky is your preference, you already know you’re onto a winner. Even if you’re not into your peated drams, rest assured there’s something for everybody here, and a whole lot more besides.

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the diverse selection of unique whiskies we currently have in stock.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.

Tags: Five BarsUltimate GatewayWhisky

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.