The Malt Whisky Trail
The Malt Whisky Trail
4.5
About
The Malt Whisky Trail is the ultimate Scotch experience. Discover each of our nine whisky destinations set across the idyllic Moray and Speyside region. As you explore, you’ll meet the craftspeople who make the whiskies you love. They are the guardians of centuries of knowledge, and you’ll only find them here.
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More than 3 hours
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kurup_raje
Sutton, UK165 contributions
Aug 2019
Stumbled on our way from Inverness to Edinburgh, Made it to Glenfidditch distillery, absolutely loved the experience. The only disappointing stuff was that could not take part in the tasting sessions as i was driving and there is zero tolerance to drink driving. So next time bring a driver. However did receive a tasting bottle and couldnt wait to get back.
Written 31 August 2019
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.
Daryl C
Danville, CA1,045 contributions
Sep 2018
Speyside is heart and home to some of the top distilleries in Scotland so any self-respecting single malt drinker needs to make the pilgrimage. First, the countryside is beautiful. Second, the number of quality distilleries is mind-boggling.
A few bits of advice.
The region is actually pretty large. I suggest you plan ahead, identify 2-3 stops per day, then group them by proximity. You don't want to spend your days zig zagging.
Second, pre-arrange for your transportation. We hired a driver. Uber is non-existent and taxis are pre-booked only. We saw several people stuck and trying to call a car. If you hire a driver, they'll be waiting for you rather than the other way around.
Third, two tours per day is really enough. We spent two days touring and tasting and on our final day we couldn't bear the thought of another tour. The tours are all different -- from intimate to corporate -- but the core process is the same.
Fourth, pick a place to stock up for a picnic lunch. The tour times seem to crowded around the lunch hour and this will give you more flexibility.
Fifth, don't even consider driving if you're tasting. The drunk driving laws in Scotland are zero-tolerance. We were told the half a pint of beer will trigger a violation. Don't take a chance.
A few bits of advice.
The region is actually pretty large. I suggest you plan ahead, identify 2-3 stops per day, then group them by proximity. You don't want to spend your days zig zagging.
Second, pre-arrange for your transportation. We hired a driver. Uber is non-existent and taxis are pre-booked only. We saw several people stuck and trying to call a car. If you hire a driver, they'll be waiting for you rather than the other way around.
Third, two tours per day is really enough. We spent two days touring and tasting and on our final day we couldn't bear the thought of another tour. The tours are all different -- from intimate to corporate -- but the core process is the same.
Fourth, pick a place to stock up for a picnic lunch. The tour times seem to crowded around the lunch hour and this will give you more flexibility.
Fifth, don't even consider driving if you're tasting. The drunk driving laws in Scotland are zero-tolerance. We were told the half a pint of beer will trigger a violation. Don't take a chance.
Written 19 September 2018
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.
getgoing2
syracuse, new york96 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
Now...my brother is a Macallan man to his very core. So AFTER I had already booked a cottage rental in Ireland for 2 weeks the thought entered my mind....OMG we will be sooo close to Scotland I wonder if we can hop over to see HIS holy grail. And sure enough a $49 round trip flight on RyanAir from Londonderry and we set down in Glasgow. A 4 hour drive later and we were in Grantown-on-Spey nestled in our hotel.
The next morning we set off for Speyside Cooperage to see how whiskey barrels are made. Honestly my brother picked this place, after all it WAS his pilgrimage, I was ho hum about going.
But it turned out to be a highlight for me. They were resizing barrels the day we were there. The workers get paid for each barrel so the pace was fast. I highly recommend this place. Also the Mash Tun just down the hill in Aberlour was great stop for lunch. It is hidden at the end of a side street so ask for directions.
Next we went to the Cardhu distillery. Great fun and whiskey samples. We enjoyed the drive along the trail as well so we didn't cram a lot of distilleries in. After all...we were really there for The
MaCallan.
The next day we went to Glenlivet. Nice place but the best was the 3 older couples in there 1930 cars with no tops leaving in leather caps in the pouring rain. Hearty stock those Scots!!!
Finally,The Macallan. I had booked the Precious Tour for my 2 whiskey drinking brothers. My husband and I left to go to Glen Grant as we are non drinkers and heard about the gardens and waterfalls there. WHAT A GORGEOUS PLACE!!! I highly recommend. And my brother told me later that the small whiskey sample I got him was good.
So back we went to The MaCallan to collect my two brothers who where on cloud nine after their 2 hour tour and tasting session. The distillery to me was the least appealing visually, but to my brother it was heaven on earth and as he said " an experience I will never forget."
So a good time was had by all.
The next morning we set off for Speyside Cooperage to see how whiskey barrels are made. Honestly my brother picked this place, after all it WAS his pilgrimage, I was ho hum about going.
But it turned out to be a highlight for me. They were resizing barrels the day we were there. The workers get paid for each barrel so the pace was fast. I highly recommend this place. Also the Mash Tun just down the hill in Aberlour was great stop for lunch. It is hidden at the end of a side street so ask for directions.
Next we went to the Cardhu distillery. Great fun and whiskey samples. We enjoyed the drive along the trail as well so we didn't cram a lot of distilleries in. After all...we were really there for The
MaCallan.
The next day we went to Glenlivet. Nice place but the best was the 3 older couples in there 1930 cars with no tops leaving in leather caps in the pouring rain. Hearty stock those Scots!!!
Finally,The Macallan. I had booked the Precious Tour for my 2 whiskey drinking brothers. My husband and I left to go to Glen Grant as we are non drinkers and heard about the gardens and waterfalls there. WHAT A GORGEOUS PLACE!!! I highly recommend. And my brother told me later that the small whiskey sample I got him was good.
So back we went to The MaCallan to collect my two brothers who where on cloud nine after their 2 hour tour and tasting session. The distillery to me was the least appealing visually, but to my brother it was heaven on earth and as he said " an experience I will never forget."
So a good time was had by all.
Written 10 December 2013
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.
Thanks for visiting some of the sites on our Malt Whisky Trail and thanks for your great comment.
We hope you decide to visit again soon!
Written 2 March 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KazziH
Pontefract, UK28 contributions
Jul 2013
We only went to Glenfiddich today but it was one of the best day trips we've ever done. The tour was educational and I there's ting even to us that don't really drink much whiskey, the restaurant was lovely with good food and great service and the gift shop was good too with a mixture of priced things to choose from. We loved the tasting session we got at the end too which helped us appreciate the drink and it was free!! Thanks for a great day
Written 16 July 2013
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.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for visiting one of the sites on our Malt Whisky Trail and thanks for your great comment.
We hope you decide to visit again soon!
Written 2 March 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Malt Whisky Trail
- Hotels near The Malt Whisky Trail:
- (0.09 mi) Elgin Central Budget guest house
- (0.12 mi) Park View Cottage, 9 North College Street, Elgin, Moray.
- (0.12 mi) B&B Willowbank Guest House
- (0.13 mi) Belleville Bed and Breakfast
- (0.19 mi) Moray Bank Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near The Malt Whisky Trail:
- (0.00 mi) The Muckle Cross
- (0.02 mi) China Garden
- (0.02 mi) Muckle Square Bistro
- (0.02 mi) Snappy Pizza
- (0.02 mi) The Drouthy Cobbler