One of the most famous region-specific drinks in the world is the particular kind of whisky that is produced in Scotland, also known as Scotch Whisky, or simply Scotch. Scotch has been made in Scotland for centuries – the earliest mention of Scotch whisky was in 1494 and it has been made ever since. Today there are 133 distilleries operating within Scotland, and whisky tastings are a popular activity for locals and tourists alike. There are a few characteristics that define Scotch whisky apart from the location where it is produced. All Scotch must be aged for at least three years in oak barrels, and the minimum alcohol volume must be 40%. There are also five distinct types of whisky: single malt, single grain, blended malt, blended grain, and blended Scotch whisky. If you’re not familiar with Scotch Whisky, you might be surprised to know that the region in which the whisky is produced does have some effect on the flavor profile and general composition of the liquor. There are six whisky regions in Scotland, each with its own climate and style of whisky production.
If you are planning a visit, you can book a tour of several distilleries in a particular region or throughout the country. You can also rent a car or hire a taxi service to take you between your hotel and the distillery. You can book tours and tastings on your own and create your own experience visiting the distilleries you want to visit. Each distillery offers different experiences which range from a standard tasting to a private tour experience where you can fill up your own bottle straight from the barrel. It’s important to note that the drinking age in Scotland is 18, so all participants on most tours must be at least that age. Simply being on the grounds may not have an age limit so if you are traveling with small children you may still be able to participate in some experiences. Be sure to check the particular distilleries website for specifics while you are planning your trip.
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If you are planning a trip to the area and aren’t sure exactly which region you should visit, here is a list with information about each region to help you plan your visit.
1. Highlands
The Highlands is the largest whisky region in Scotland, and there are about 25 different distilleries that you can visit when you’re there. There are actually subregions within the Highlands with varying styles of whisky as well. In the northern part of the region, you can find the famous Dalmore and Glenmorangie distilleries which produce a full-bodied malt whisky that features a sweeter flavor. The eastern and southern portions of the Highlands tend to feature lighter and fruitier whisky whereas the west has smokier and oakier flavors, which are typical of peaty varieties of whisky.
2. Speyside
Speyside is the most prolific whisky-producing region on this list. In fact, more than 60% of the whisky produced in Scotland is distilled here. The most famous brands are Macallan, Dalwhinnie, Glenlivet, and Glenfiddich, which is the most popular brand of Scotch whisky in the world. Dufftown is one of the best cities for whisky lovers, not only within Speyside but throughout all of Scotland as well: it has six high-output distilleries with an annual output of over 40 million liters. The flavors of the whisky produced here tend to be warm with a slight spice – flavors such as apple, vanilla, malt, and oak are some of the most popular in Speyside whisky.
3. Lowlands
Lowlands may be the second largest region on this list in terms of size, but as far as whisky production goes, it’s the smallest one. Lowlands is home to five distilleries that produce a whisky that is typically light and has flavors such as honeysuckle, toffee, cinnamon, and cream. Due to its location, there tends to be a slight salinity in the water used during production, which can contribute to the flavors as well. The two most famous types of whisky produced in Lowlands are Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie.
4. Campbeltown
In the early 1800s, Campbeltown had over 34 distilleries operating within the region. The number fell in the 1850s, and today Campbeltown has five distilleries including Glengyle, Glen Scotia, and Springbank. Although the region may be less prolific, the whisky here is still popular and if you enjoy whisky that has a flavor that tends to be peaty with a smokey flavor that also features notes of vanilla, dried fruit, and toffee, this region is worth checking out.
5. Islay
Islay is the smallest whisky-producing region in terms of physical size, but it boasts ten fantastic distilleries. Some of the most famous of these distilleries are Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Bruichladdich. Some of the flavors, such as seaweed, might seem surprising to you if you’re unfamiliar with how diverse the flavor profiles of whisky can be. But whisky with brine notes is actually more common than you might think, especially in whisky produced in Scotland. Other popular flavor notes in Islay whisky include apple and smoke.
6. Islands
There are nearly 800 islands off of Scotland’s coast, and the few that are inhabited make up the Islands whisky region. The flavor of the whisky produced here tends to be smoky with notes of oil, black pepper, and honey. The Islands are somewhat geographically diverse and range from being off of the southwest coast to the northern coast of Scotland. The most famous distillery in the Islands is likely Talisker, which is also one of the largest in the area.
No matter where you choose to visit, your visit to the whisky regions of Scotland is sure to be a memorable one. If you’re a fan of whisky and enjoy tasting the different varieties and experiences the different flavors that are possible within the drink, you will be spoiled for choice in any of the six whisky regions of Scotland!
Travel Guide & Resources for Whisky Regions of Scotland:
Here you can can find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to the Whisky Regions of Scotland.
Also, find the list of the best hotels in any Whisky Regions of Scotland to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your itinerary? Find other whisky experiences in Scotland and more things to do in the region in addition to what already mentioned here.
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Travel Resources for Planning a Trip to Whisky Regions of Scotland
To make planning a trip to Whisky Regions of Scotland easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do in each destination during your trip to Scotland.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a trip to Whisky Regions of Scotland?
Want to plan a trip to Whisky Regions of Scotland but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a multi-city trip to Whisky Regions of Scotland are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
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