Whiskey Tour - Advise needed

[outrun]

We have Auchentoshen and Glengoyne in Glasgow, both of which are nice distilleries with great tours. Good quality stuff too. If you are really into it though, I'd be going to Islay and hiring an Airbnb house. You'll need a designated driver as most of you will be smashed the entire time. You can drive up there from Glasgow in about 5 hours including the ferry crossing from Port Askaig. You'll need to go over the Rest and Be Thankful as Mr Pea mentions, you'll also go around Loch Fyne which is world famous for seafood as well as past Inverary which has one of the nicest castles of them all. Another place to consider staying round that way would be Portavedie in Tighnabruaich which is a fantastic hotel with an amazing outdoor spa. As well as lovely rooms, they also do cottages which could be an idea for a larger group.

Fly in and out of Glasgow so you can have a night out at either end of the trip. You'll love Glasgow if you've never been, it's great.

https://www.portavadie.com/

https://www.inveraray-castle.com/

https://www.lochfyne.com/

https://www.auchentoshan.com/home

https://www.glengoyne.com/

 

[JonW]

Good scotch, as well. The Chivas Brothers blend is OK but the 12yo Strathisla is a *******.

C

Assuming ******** is shorthand for something very positive, I agree!

 

[highlander]

As I suspected, all these recommendations would take a year to do.......if into the water of life, it would not be a bad way to spend a year tho! Lol.
I'm not a WOL fan but given the choices I would decide where I want to stay, not which distillery tours......Ime they are all much a muchness anyway. If wanting to impress those that are doing it for the first time, then atholl's suggestion of going Islay by plane will blow them away.....even before the WOL kicks in!
Good luck on surviving whatever you choose.

 

[Sommi]

We have Auchentoshen and Glengoyne in Glasgow, both of which are nice distilleries with great tours. Good quality stuff too. If you are really into it though, I'd be going to Islay and hiring an Airbnb house. You'll need a designated driver as most of you will be smashed the entire time. You can drive up there from Glasgow in about 5 hours including the ferry crossing from Port Askaig. You'll need to go over the Rest and Be Thankful as Mr Pea mentions, you'll also go around Loch Fyne which is world famous for seafood as well as past Inverary which has one of the nicest castles of them all. Another place to consider staying round that way would be Portavedie in Tighnabruaich which is a fantastic hotel with an amazing outdoor spa. As well as lovely rooms, they also do cottages which could be an idea for a larger group.

Fly in and out of Glasgow so you can have a night out at either end of the trip. You'll love Glasgow if you've never been, it's great.

https://www.portavadie.com/

https://www.inveraray-castle.com/

https://www.lochfyne.com/

https://www.auchentoshan.com/home

https://www.glengoyne.com/

Thanks Atholl. This is now taking it another level.
Initial base will be Edinburgh for most but we can move swiftly to Glasgow.
From what I can see in above links, Islay will be a must and I shall book stays like wise.
And I will take the QP. I really do not want to miss this.
Will drink a bit more in the evenings

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[CatmanV2]

Assuming ******** is shorthand for something very positive, I agree!

I can't even recall what it was. Sure it wasn't even offensive!
Anyway, yes. It's not easy to get but it's a cracking dram!

C

 

[Gazcw]

For those who appreciate and are in the know about all things Single Malt, please help if you can.

I have an upcoming Scottish tour with the main underlying theme of touring the distilleries of fame, rarity and any uniqueness.

Generally, there is a lot of good info on the Scottish tourist websites. But I am preparing for a gathering of middle aged men(my college mates) from different continents flying in just specifically for this.
No London bus tours. No Buckingham Palace. No Legoland.

I would really like to know
a) what are the good experiences you may have had on such excursions
b) any not universally known little gem
c) best places, city to stay ( we plan to stay at least in 2 places for a one week tour)
d) any nightlife pointers
e) Any distillery not to be missed
f) anything to completely avoid

Info on any of the above will be much, much appreciated.

I am also in half a mind to take my QP as it has never been there before.

Thanks in advance.

Two pieces of advice spring to mind.
1) Do as many as you can
2) Take a designated driver

Cheers

 

[Navcorr]

I would decide where I want to stay, not which distillery tours......Ime they are all much a muchness anyway.

+1. I've a somewhat jaundiced view of the "whisky experience" but if you must, as above, choose a part of the Country you'd like see. Or choose a particular whisky the majority of your group particularly enjoy. That said, totally agree with MrPea about the drive along the coast to Cambeltown - where Cadenhead would be a good stop. Try the Springbank 21 - its rather good. If you're based in Edinburgh they've a place on the Royal Mile. Much less of a tourist trap and a good selection of non-chill filtered cask strengths to sample.