The Scotch Whisky Experience
The Scotch Whisky Experience
4.5
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Experience for yourself our regional whiskies and whether you like fruity, sweet or smoky flavours our experts will help you select your perfect dram.Enter the vault containing one of the world's largest collection of Scotch Whiskies and enjoy a special tutored nosing and tasting. Explore Scotland's whisky history from the very beginnings through to the global success of today.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavoured souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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1,984 within 3 miles
Attractions
498 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- Rachel M1 contributionGreat experience and fantastic tour guideWent on a Silver tour on NYD. Great introduction to whisky and amazing use of technology and sensory experiences to get the story across. I was with a friend who didn’t know anything about whisky and she found it really interesting and engaging as well. Curtis, our tour, guide was fantastic. He was really funny, friendly and welcoming and did a great job herding a large group. A fantastic experienceVisited January 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 12 January 2023
- Tourist817331London, United Kingdom23 contributionsGold Tour experience amazing!!!This experience is just amazing if you are into Whisky. It is a must do when visiting Edinburgh. Make sure you go for the gold tour as, at the end, you have a selection of more Whiskys to taste. Big thank you to Alex, who was our guide, very informative, and made it enjoyable as well as fun.Visited February 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 February 2023
- Nicole R25 contributionsFun and informative tour, Regina was awesome!Great indoor tour experience to learn about the whiskys of Scotland! Loved our guide Regina, she was knowledgeable and so friendly, and answered all our questions. Highly recommend to learn about new whiskys, and to view the coolest bottles in their collection.Visited March 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 18 March 2023
- Tia MarganShrewsbury, United Kingdom14 contributionsIncredibleThis place is a MUST. My partner LOVES whiskey and was in his element. I really recommend going down to the bar to try some of the 500 whisky’s, Ben in particular was incredible at hosting and was really helpful with recommendations in the area. All the staff were friendly and welcoming, all I can say is you have to go!Visited March 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 March 2023
- Tom H9 contributionsAsk for Holly!Really good tour, Holly was so passionate and knowledgeable she really made the tour, was very lighthearted and answered every question with experience. I’m new to whiskey so this tour was an eye opener and very educational, helped me find what I prefer and how to branch out to explore new whiskeys. Also the private collection of unopened whiskeys was ridiculous, I’m still reeling hours on from the beauty of that collection. Would recommend to anyone visiting Edinburgh 👍🏻 Definitely go for the gold tour too, a great way to explore a few extra whiskeys and chill with some interesting folk whilst doing it.Visited March 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 March 2023
- Harjeev Singh9 contributionsDeliciously Engaging!I visited the Scotch Whisky Experience with my girlfriend (who doesn't even like whisk) and we absolutely loved our time there. Lewis from the team was out guide for the day and they gave us a brilliant presentation on the history of different forms of Scotch Whisky. We'd also purchased tickets for the gold experience and that got us a lot more to taste. All in all, this is a must visit for any lover of whisky, history, or the science of distillation!Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 April 2023
- Tanja3 contributionsGreat eye-opening experience of Scotch (and mouth-opening)What a next-level experience - Scotch tasting and museum in one! Nicely incorporated modern technology that enhanced the presentation, given by Abi (she was amazing and really funny, we liked her humour). The whisky collection they've got is immense. We (literally) got a taste of basics, enough to understand whisky a bit better; we appreciated the lesson on how to recognize the flavour notes - but accepted the fact that we will have to try a lot more whisky to be good at it.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 8 April 2023
- Melissa S10 contributionsGreat Learning and Tasting!This is a great opportunity to learn about Scotland’s five regions and how their whiskies differ from each other. Cameron is a great guide! Got to sample six whiskies as part of the gold package, with the option to try more at their bar after the tour is over. We also got Glencairn glasses to keep! NOTE: when we went, the barrel ride part of the experience is no longer done.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 10 April 2023
- Joe B1 contributionGreat customer service, and considerate of Neuro divergent needsMy wife booked this as part of our holiday plans but unfortunately there was an issue with the booking despite payment going through. The team, especially the manager Ali, were really helpful to get this sorted for us, and considering my wife is neuro divergent she struggles with both a change in plans and having to do follow up paperwork if we were to request a refund through their website. Seeing that this route would be stressful, Ali took some time to see what coukd be done and found our payment and considering the tour we'd booked was solid out for the rest of the day gave us an upgraded experience on their Tasting Tales session. They even whipped together some vegan options for us with 5 minutes notice which was the icing on the take. Really great experience and customer service from everyone there, and particuarly from Ali after knowing my wife is neuro divergent. They weren't questioning or belittling and instead did everything they could to facilitate us. The tasting tales was also a great experience, especially for my wife who is not a whisky drinker or lover.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 April 2023
- Getaway218473Port Hueneme, California12 contributionsScotch Whisky ExperienceIt was another look at the making of Scotch Whisky. They looked at several areas od Scotland and the flavor profiles from those areas. I took the extended tasting tour. I gave me 4 more tastings and a glass to bring home.Visited March 2023Travelled soloWritten 11 April 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
7,244 reviews
Excellent
4,569
Very good
1,991
Average
475
Poor
139
Terrible
70
Trek67557164992
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Couples
It was great to be back -fifth time probably- and to experience the new "tour". Erin was fantastic and made it a fun and very interesting time. Thank you so. much : I'll definitely bring people there again.
Written 8 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
simon m
Queenstown, New Zealand34 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Great experience. We booked the platinum tour and would 100% recommend. Well worth the price. Our tour guide was Kev and he was amazing. Answered questions and was friendly and knowledgeable. Made the experience fun and enjoyable. A credit to his role. Ever suggested some distillery’s for us to try when we leave Edinburgh.
Written 7 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GemmaY98
Wiltshire, UK94 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Our guide Jordan was amazing - she was very well spoken and you could tell she was well practiced in leading the tour. It was very interactive and engaging, and we loved seeing all the old whiskies. Great value for money.
Written 6 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simone M
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
I went with my family for a silver tour and our tour guide Sy was incredible and so full of life, they were very knowledgeable and kept the whole group engaged. The venue was incredible and the set up of the tour was great! Highly recommend, and if you get a tour with Sy you are lucky!
Written 30 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OM
4 contributions
So much fun! Took my boyfriend for a Platinum tour for his birthday and it was wonderful, Fraiser was amazing! I’m not a whisky fan but I enjoyed the tour and everything i learnt. Definitely would recommend, even if you’re not a huge whisky fan, if you go with someone who is its still lovely. Thank you again to our guide Fraiser.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juliet F
12 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Weird but enjoyable. It’s basically a series of rooms with video projections that race you through whisky production and the regional variations before giving you a testing. The whole thing is owned by an international conglomerate with deep investments in spirits (plus a random local collection of bottles to look at) and you can tell. You’d be better off with a good article and a knowledgeable bartender if you really want to know more. But it was laughable only in a few places. Only recommend if you have done everything else you’d like to do first.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachael W
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Great experience, myself and my husband booked on the gold tour which included trying 5 different whiskeys.
Marnie our guide was well spoken and clearly knowledgeable about whiskey.
Would recommend!!!
Marnie our guide was well spoken and clearly knowledgeable about whiskey.
Would recommend!!!
Written 24 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz S
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We didn’t know quite what to expect (other than the tastings) but we thoroughly enjoy the Experience! Frasier, our guide, was engaging and knowledgeable. The whisky vault was worth the trip!
Written 23 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank201162
Derry, UK11 contributions
Our tour guide Lotti was absolutely brilliant. So informative knowledgeable about the whisky, kept you interested the whole way through the tour. The additional whisky tasting on our gold tour was fantastic. I would highly recommend this tour
Written 22 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vladimír J
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Solo
Great presentation that connects beautiful visual and very informative content. Our guide Corin was kind and well informed, glad to answer any question.
The"vault" - one of the greatest whisky collection was spectacular to see and the best place to enjoy the glass of whisky.
Easy 5/5.
The"vault" - one of the greatest whisky collection was spectacular to see and the best place to enjoy the glass of whisky.
Easy 5/5.
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KTy
Stockport, UK136 contributions
Please would someone be able to tell me how long the tour takes just trying to fit everything in on the quick visit to Edinburgh.
strudelwurm13
Hamburg, Germany26 contributions
It depends on which tour you choose. Our really fabulous tour was around 90 minutes I think (platinum tour).
rubie
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK1 contribution
Does this require a booking in advance or can you just turn up? What time is the first tour?
David
Braintree, UK315 contributions
It does require booking in advance cos of COVID I think. I can’t remember when the first tour was will tell you online they run them all day.
Sedgy17
134 contributions
We would like to do the taste of Scotland package on 17th August but doing the zoo in the day, what is the last time slot you can do the tour and the restaurant? Site says tours 11-5.30 but does that mean stops @ 5.30 or last tour at 5.30? We would like plenty of time for the zoo, to change at the hotel and then come for the tour and restaurant tasting
marie-charlotte B
France3 contributions
Bonjour,
J’aimerai savoir si le tour est accessible aux enfants nous accompagnant (2 ans) ?
Bien à vous
soloviaje
Lima, Peru383 contributions
No lo permiten. Es un bar
Elana G
New Mexico167 contributions
Hi At the tasting room do they allow you to choose which whiskey to taste or is it poured in advance ? If I want a whiskey not mixed with wine or aged in sherry or wine caskets may I ask?
ScotchWhiskyExp
Edinburgh, UK1 contribution
Hi - daily we have a choice of five regional single malt whiskies and a blended Scotch whisky. Some may have had a finishing maturation in different types of casks, but there is always a choice of this within the six selected whiskies of the day for the Silver Tour. I hope you enjoy whatever you choose! Slainte! Julie
bekbek87
Nottingham, UK141 contributions
We are visiting in a few weeks, do we need to book or do you offer walk ins for tours?
WindingRoad
20 contributions
At this time of year, out of the main peak you probably wouldn't need to book.
However, if you want to guarantee your place on a particular tour/experience it could be worth ringing ahead to check availability.
Hope this helps!
John V
Leland, NC15 contributions
Can you ship purchases to USA?
Five Minute Travel Guide
Tampa, FL149 contributions
Per their website, they only ship to the UK.
Le meilleur tour scotch expérience pour ke prix
Lynn J
Hilton Head, SC13 contributions
Amazing scotch tasting at a great price !
StuartGirl4life
Stuart, FL156 contributions
I have a group of 8 looking to come on a Saturday. We don’t know what time though. Can we just show up and get a tour or do we need to purchase tickets in advance? We will likely do the gold tour.
ScotchWhiskyExp
Edinburgh, UK1 contribution
Hi Stuart, we tend to advise booking in advance if you're a larger group (and if there's availability online), but you can just show up without a booking. After around 2pm there's a wee bit of a queue but if you're with us before 4pm we should be able to get you on tour. Saturdays during peak season (April-September) are always pretty busy but we run more regular tours on those days, so the wait isn't too bad.
Hope that helps! Call us on the day if it's easier and we can advise on wait times.
Betty T
Greater Perth, Australia15 contributions
We bought bottle of whiskey a few days ago but not receive a tax claim form. Can you advise if I can claim tax refund on this purchase as we will be leaving from London in May
ScotchWhiskyExp
Edinburgh, UK1 contribution
Hi Betty, apologies for the delayed reply. Yes, you should be able to claim the tax back on your purchase as long as you have the original receipt. Claim forms are usually available at the airport (before you check in your hold baggage), and with the receipt you can claim it back - all of our VAT details and company information are on the receipt itself. Hope that helps, enjoy the rest of your stay.
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Claim your listingTHE SCOTCH WHISKY EXPERIENCE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Scotch Whisky Experience
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience The Scotch Whisky Experience:
- Edinburgh Food Tour with a Local Foodie Custom & Private (From £134.35)
- Edinburgh City Tour (Full Day) (From £575.06)
- Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off City and Britannia Joint Tour (From £25.45)
- Royal Edinburgh Ticket with Hop-On Hop-Off Tours, Edinburgh Castle Admission (From £66.16)
- Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off City Tour (From £18.32)
- Hotels near The Scotch Whisky Experience:
- (0.02 mi) The Witchery
- (0.02 mi) ALTIDO 2-BR Apt directly next to Edinburgh Castle
- (0.02 mi) Retro Castle Retreat 2Bed (sleep 6)
- (0.02 mi) The Castle Esplanade Residence
- (0.02 mi) ALTIDO 2-BR Apt directly next to Edinburgh Castle
- Restaurants near The Scotch Whisky Experience:
- (0.01 mi) Amber Restaurant At The Scotch Whisky Experience
- (0.02 mi) THE WITCHERY by the Castle RESTAURANT
- (0.02 mi) Cannonball Restaurant & Bar
- (0.03 mi) Castlehill Rooftop Diner
- (0.03 mi) Cafe Hub