Where are the best places in Edinburgh to taste scotch? How is scotch made? How expensive is a taste? These and more are questions I had before arriving at Edinburgh station.
Many pilgrimage to Edinburgh to uncover the varying tastes and learn about the distillation process of Scottish Whisky called “Scotch”. Along the Royal Mile, there are a few pubs and restaurants that have an assortment of Scotch to taste but there is only one venue that narrates the Scotch history and holistic distillation process with beauty at a fair price: the Scotch Whisky Experience.
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The entrance is located at the end of the Royal Mile in front of the Castle. The venue offers various tastings, distillation explanation, tour, a restaurant, and a shop to purchase gifts and liquor. After you walk in the double doors, the shop is on the right while forward is the entrance to the Tastings show and the restaurant. The restaurant has a great selection of whisky. We did not eat there but the reviews are not bad. We were unable to walk in so I recommend a reservation after your Experience. For parents, the venue has a lift for strollers and a baby changing station.
Videos of Experience At Bottom
The Tasting Experience was upgraded in 2023 and leverages state of the art technology and visuals to tell a story that is compelling and informative. Usually, these are boring and relatively the same – with someone talking the entire time leaving understanding up to the individuals prior knowledge or experience. However, this ‘Show’ conveys the important points by illustrating the process, regions beauty and complexity, and construction of blends using the whisky’s different flavor profiles. My 2 year old was mesmerized!
The price depends on the amount of tastings. I purchased 1 taste per person for €23 per person. It includes a tasting glass to keep. The price is inexpensive considering the immersive experience (upgrade cost), the cost to taste at a local pub is €7-10 (usually more for good stuff) and a glass at a gift shop is €5-10. I had my tasting inside the room that contains the 2nd largest Scotch whisky private collection in the world. Witnessing the private collection is part of the Tour and everyone walks through. The other packages include 4 tastings per person which have their tastings in an elegant, larger room. The price for these packages are, again, less expensive than other places on the Royal Mile. Plus you have the experienced guides at your disposal.
I recommend this to anyone. It is inclusive of all age groups and levels of whisky knowledge. Also, being inside, it can protect you from the rain, snow, sleet, wind, and cold. Important to walk up the Royal Mile because the walk along Market St becomes very steep.
Good luck on your adventure!
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