The Best Scotch Distilleries to Visit
History suggests Scotland started producing whisky in the late 1400s. In the centuries that followed, Scotch whisky became part of its DNA and a leading source of national pride. As such, it makes perfect sense that roughly 150 distilleries pepper Scotland’s green, undulating hillsides across five different regions. A scarce landscape would look substantially weird.
The Glenlivet Tasting Room
Fully exploring the breadth of Scotland’s whisky scene and all it has to offer is a multi-day, multi-hotel stay affair. While Scotland is a relatively small slice of the United Kingdom, it can take hours to get from one cluster of producers to the next. Don’t let this intimidate you — traversing Scotland in the name of whisky is part of the fun. Doing so allows you to dive into the differences that exist between its distinctive regions, from the boldly peated flavors of Islay to the Highlands’ delicate, fruity offerings.
While there are several distilleries to consider visiting on your Scottish excursion, there are some that should not be missed. They represent some of the category’s heavyweights, and their reputations are not without merit. Spending a few hours at their distilleries, digging into their histories and methods, and sipping their juice justifies their lofty status.
Ardbeg distillery
It takes some effort to get from the mainland Scotland to the far-flung island of Islay, but Ardbeg is worth the extra logistics. The 210-year-old distillery specializes in the peat bombs that define Scotch produced in the Islay region. Underneath the smokiness lay a nuanced malt-driven sweetness that adds depth and dimension to every dram.
Insider Tip: Consider arriving at the distillery via taxi or ride-share. Ardbeg’s tours and tastings change seasonally, and some tours do not offer drams for drivers.
The Balvenie distillery
It’s not hyperbole to call The Balvenie innovators. They were the first distillery to finish whiskies in a second cask. They’re also one of the few distilleries in Scotland that grow their own barley, adding punch to their devotion to highlighting the surrounding Speyside region’s terroir. Their methods and “grain to glass” ethos coalesce into a bevy of killer bottles, such as their must-try 14-year Caribbean Cask expression finished in rum barrels.
Insider Tip: Pay a visit to the ruins of The Balvenie Castle, a 13th century castle that inspired the distillery name. Doing so is a terrific way to give your palate a rest before moving onto the next whisky adventure. The castle is about a mile away and is open to the public from April 1 to September 30.
Oban distillery
You’d be hard pressed to find a more charming distillery than Oban. Located in the Highland region some 208 steps from Scotland’s west coast (according to their website at least), the distillery sits on roughly an acre of land, making them one of Scotland’s tiniest whisky producers. Nothing much has changed about Oban’s distilling methods since they opened in 1794 – they’re still only using two small stills to produce their juice, for example. Then again, when their methods result in gems like the honeyed, fruit-forward 14 Year Old Highland malt, there’s no real reason to change anything.
Insider Tip: Be sure to spend some time at the distillery bar after you take a tour. This will not only help dispel the myth of Scotch not belonging in a cocktail, but it will also allow you to enjoy drams from Oban’s sister distilleries like Talisker and Caol Ila.
The Glenlivet distillery
Nestled at the edge of Cairngorms National Park and surrounded by rolling green fields and distant hillsides, The Glenlivet’s Speyside property will likely impress before you set foot on their property. It’s arguably the most famous distillery in Scotland. Since it became the country’s first legally licensed distillery back in 1824, it’s one of the most important ones. While you may be familiar with their popular 12-year label, a visit lends you the opportunity to learn about the other expressions within their core collection.
Insider Tip: Choose one of several tasting and tour options to fully immerse yourself in The Glenlivet’s legacy. For those willing to splurge, The Reflection experience allows you to indulge in a rare expression from The Glenlivet archives in a private tasting room.
Highland Park distillery
When does a 227-year-old distillery feel new? In the case of Highland Park, the answer stems from a massive renovation project designed to greatly reduce carbon emissions. The distillery reopened tour bookings to their distillery for March 2025 after a year-long shuttering. While you can expect a more environmentally friendly distillery aiming to become carbon neutral by 2045, you can also anticipate experiencing spicy, sweet, and slightly smoky whiskies capturing the heathered peat and coastal influences of its home on the far northern Scottish island of Orkney.
Insider Tip: Book a tasting at Highland Park’s nearby flagship store if you prefer to skip the distillery tour. While the distillery typically has a “silent season” from July through September where production halts, tours still occur during the hiatus.
Springbank distillery
With only three distilleries in operation, Campbeltown is arguably Scotland’s forgotten region. To that end, Springbank deftly demonstrates the principle of quality over quantity. Family-owned since 1828, Springbank is the only Scottish distillery that carries out every element of production on-site. This self-contained process lends a uniquely intimate vibe to a visit. It also provides the backbone to an eclectic range of whiskies that can please any palate, from the sweet and fruity Springbank 10 to the bold and sooty Springbank 15.
Insider Tip: Be sure to make time to stop by The Washback Bar, Springbank’s in-house tavern. This will allow you to order more core expressions beyond the one that’s served on the distillery tour.