The Orkney Distillery
The Orkney Distillery
5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Welcome, adventurer! Your epic Orkney saga has begun. We invite you to enter our new distillery and visitor centre in Kirkwall, to toast the gods and learn the secrets behind our legendary Orkney Gin. Our distillery tours can be pre-booked We now also offer our garden concept bar ‘Oot The Back’. If you seek the true essence of Orkney, we urge you to join us!
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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5.0
317 reviews
Excellent
281
Very good
28
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Claire D
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Couples
If you love gin you will LOVE The Orkney Distillery. My boyfriend and I booked a gin tasting and tour of The Orkney Distillery in October of 2023. My boyfriend went along with me as a favor, as he doesn't usually like gin. Our guide gave an interesting history about gin, the aromatics, the Orkney Islands, and The Orkney Distillery. As soon as we began the tasting, we were amazed with the gin. Most of all, my boyfriend liked it. Throw all your gin expectations away as it is nothing at all like Bombay or Tanqueray, but on another level of its own merit. I have not a single complaint upon my visit to The Orkney Distillery - if anything, I can't wait to go back. A+ staff, A+ location, A+ customer service, and most importantly A++ gin.
All of our love from Michigan, Claire & Chad
All of our love from Michigan, Claire & Chad
Written 25 October 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.
Maryann B
Boston, MA11 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Wonderful! Did the gin tasting tour with Esme today and thoroughly enjoyed the information and the gin. Beautiful venue. Highly recommend.
Written 18 October 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.
Jerry V
Long Beach, CA1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
This was a very nice break from the whiskey tours to take in some of the best Gin I have tasted. The tour group was a good size and not overwhelming. Our guide was young but very knowledgeable and we learned so much. They have a quaint beer/drinking garden in the back where we could enjoy our cocktails after the tour.
Written 17 October 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.
Stuart B
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Family
Great way to spend a cold wet October afternoon in Kirkwall after exploring neolithic Orkney. Very informative and enjoyable. Never knew gin was so easy to make in so many variants. Might set up my own still.
Written 14 October 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.
Michelle G
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Couples
Was very cool experience and nice atmosphere, highly recommended and a reasonable price with some tastings and drink after. Esme was really calm and professional. Really enjoyed it - Michelle and Ross
Written 11 October 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.
hihellocaroline
United Kingdom94 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Visited the bar for a spontaneous drink - ordered the gin flight which came with four generous shots of various Kirkjuvagr gin. We ordered some mixers to go with. The staff were very helpful and provided us with an info card to explain the tasting notes. The seating area is also modern yet comfortably laid out, with bar areas that have USB charging plugs. Also serves coffee and tea.
Written 9 October 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.
Rory M
2 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
I took a tour with my mother in law today and we both loved it from start to finish. Lisa spoke with passion and was extremely knowledgeable about their gins. We both loved all the gins and the g and t afterwards.
An added bonus was Lisa’s passion for The Ba’ and the video of it after the tour whilst drinking our g and t’s. Seriously considering another trip to be a spectator on Christmas Day! If you book a tour you will not be disappointed.
An added bonus was Lisa’s passion for The Ba’ and the video of it after the tour whilst drinking our g and t’s. Seriously considering another trip to be a spectator on Christmas Day! If you book a tour you will not be disappointed.
Written 29 September 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.
PunkyandKimAK
Eagle River, AK13 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We are thrilled our tour was led by Steven the owner! His enthusiasm, knowledge, and interpersonal communication skills were outstanding! We learned a great amount about the gin distilling process and the very interesting background to how Orkney Distillery got started. The tour was efficient and fascinating! Jen, who worked the bar, was very helpful, enthusiastic, and personable. She made the end of our tour fun and had great recommendations. All in all it was a top notch tour that motivated us to return that evening for drinks at their private “Oot the Back” garden area!!! The gins are excellent- one of us preferred the Arkh Angel (Storm Strength) and one of us preferred the Beyla- excellent!
Written 25 September 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.
Gingembre
Berkeley, CA167 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
This is a 1.5 hour tour with tastings, a tour, and a cocktail at the end, in a beautiful Nordic-style setting a short walk from Kirkwall city center. My friend and I took this tour and really enjoyed it - we lucked out and were the only ones on the tour led by the delightful and knowledgeable Esme. Walking through the front door, there is a bar and tables where you can have a coffee or a gin drink while you wait. The tasting takes place upstairs in a stunning conference room with expansive glass windows and a stylized viking ship hanging from the ceiling. Then downstairs to see the stills and the bottling operation, and finally a drink in the bar. Highly recommended!
Written 21 September 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.
D L
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Solo
As I was the only visitor on the day, I got a very interesting one-to-one guided tour of this small, family-run distillery. Unfortunately, I was driving so I couldn't enjoy the samples on offer, but I got a small(ish) bottle with a mixer to take away. The tour also entitles you to a discount on any purchases made in the shop. The staff were friendly and helpful, and my tour guide was just brilliant! She explained the history and stories behind the different types of gin, how the distillery was started, and how the gins are produced, bottled and marketed. A good one and a half hours well spent.
I only signed up for the tour because the weather forecast was dreadful, but I'm really glad I did. Definitely worth a visit.
I only signed up for the tour because the weather forecast was dreadful, but I'm really glad I did. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 18 September 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.
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Claim your listingTHE ORKNEY DISTILLERY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Orkney Distillery
- The Orkney Distillery is open:
- Mon - Sat 10:00 - 17:00
- Hotels near The Orkney Distillery:
- (0.04 mi) The Ayre Hotel
- (0.08 mi) Albert Hotel
- (0.10 mi) Kirkwall Hotel
- (0.09 mi) St. Ola Hotel
- (0.05 mi) Kirkwall Peedie Hostel
- Restaurants near The Orkney Distillery:
- (0.08 mi) Helgi's
- (0.09 mi) Kirkwall Hotel Restaurant
- (0.04 mi) Ayre Hotel & Restaurant
- (0.08 mi) St Ola Hotel
- (0.06 mi) Bothy Bar