We love kicking off the tour with a visit to Glen Moray distillery which usually has 3 single casks on tap which you can taste and then bottle yourself with a hand written label. They have other fantastic whiskies available to taste and this is often a tasting highlight for out guests.

A hidden gem, Benriach does amazing things with peat and port pipes. Even if you're not a fan of peaty whiskies they have something to suit all tastebuds. The team will happily allow you to taste wee free samples in the shop or if you want to treat yourself you can sit down in their tasting room and enjoy a tutored tasting of anything from the range including whiskies 30 and 40 years old.

If you would like Macallan included please let us know as soon as you book so we can check availability for you as it sells out well in advance. Monday to Wednesday Macallan currently offers 1 tour per day that includes a private tour with tastings, lunch and wine pairings. This experience is £1500 and only available on a very limited basis but if it's of interest please let us know and we'll be happy to make enquiries for your chosen date. Alternatively if you are visiting Thursday-Sunday let us know and we can send you any available options as everyone needs to book to get past the gates. No exceptions. Even if you just want to visit the distillery and look around the shop this is called a boutique experience and must be booked in advance. Just let us know and we'll do our best to find you something at Macallan. This is is the case for all tour companies without exception.

A popular option this year has been the Speyside Cooperage tour (£5pp) that gives you a real insight into how important casks are in the process. It’s a working factory and they are paid per cask so it’s a busy place with some fantastic craftsmen working below as you tour from above the workshop. This is optional but we highly recommend it. If you're interested please let us know and we will book you in for a tour in advance and you pay for this on the day.

Lunch is usually at the Sidings Cafe which is a converted train with delicious homemade soup, quiche, sandwiches, cakes, tea, coffee and soft drinks. We love this place and know you will too.

Aberlour Distillery visitor centre is one of the smallest in Scotland but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for with its whisky. They allow one free taste per person and they often have distillery only releases open and ready to be enjoyed. With an abundance of gold medals (including trophies for the best single malt of all), the Aberlour distillery is consistently recognised in the most prestigious international whisky competitions for producing single malts of exceptional quality and depth. But don’t just take their word for it – we would much prefer that you judge them for yourself.

One of the last family owned distilleries Glenfarclas holds a special place in our hearts. The staff are very friendly a knowledgeable welcoming you in to their beautiful tasting room to sample the 10 and 15 year old expressions free of charge.

Time permitting we sometimes pop in to the Glenlivet for a tasting. If this is one of your favourites please let us know and we'll make sure there's enough time to visit (so long as it's a day they are open).

Last but most certainly not least is often the Tomatin distillery (if there's still time) to taste some of their latest whiskies including up to 5 single casks which change throughout the year.