For whisky aficionados, visiting a Scottish distillery is a must. The Scots have been making scotch since at least the 15th century, and to say they take its production seriously is an understatement; the word ‘whisky’ comes from the Gaelic uisge beatha, or ‘water of life’. There are over 100 distilleries throughout the country, but just a select few offer truly unique tours that cater to those with the most refined tastes. Forget simply sampling scotch; these experiences involve exclusive meetings with master blenders, tastings of some of the world’s rarest bottles, and Michelin-starred meals within tartan-touched restaurants.
Rothes Glen whisky experience
A turreted castle filled with whisky vaults, tasting rooms and bottles upon bottles of the finest scotch – is this the ultimate whisky experience? That’s owner (and founder of Whisky Magazine) Damian Riley-Smith’s ambition, anyway. The Speyside castle is only available on an exclusive-hire basis and comes with 14 lavishly decorated bedrooms, a Whisky Magazine-approved bottle selection from private collections (including a 54-year-old Gren Glant), in-castle tastings and dinners, and access to closed distilleries and whisky masterclasses.
Ask for: a stroll through the gardens, which are peppered with wooden barrels containing a bottle of the house blend and four glasses.
![Rothes Glen luxury lounge area designed with green sofa's and contrast pink pillow underneath a chandelier with a side table of Scotch whiskey, Scotland](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Rothes_Glen_1_330x330.webp)
![Sliver plate on legs on top displaying Scotch whiskey with serving glasses at Rothes Glen, Scotland](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Rothes_Glen_2_330x330.webp)
Rothes Glen whisky experience
Brora Distillery, Highlands
Stepping through Brora’s wildcat-embossed gate is like stepping back in time. Founded in 1819 and closed in 1983, Brora reopened last year following painstaking renovations – and it still uses the same Victorian distilling methods. Learn all about it on an intimate, by-appointment-only tour, which begins in the present with a three-course, paired lunch that showcases the best of contemporary Scottish cuisine. You’ll then take a jaunt through the distillery’s history, including a tasting of the rare £30,000 Triptych collection that contains expressions from 1972, 1977 and 1982.
Ask for: a bottling of the 39-year-old 1982 expression – available exclusively to guests of the distillery.
![Gated entrance to Brora Distillery, Highlands](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Brora_2_330x500.webp)
![Bottle of Brora whiskey with tasting glasses served on a gold serving plate in a living room with blue sofa at Brora Distillery, Highlands, Scotland](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Brora_1_330x500.webp)
Brora Distillery, Highlands
The Macallan, Speyside
One of Speyside’s oldest distilleries, The Macallan has been producing world-leading whisky since 1824 (it even scooped the title of the world’s most expensive whisky ever sold at auction in 2019 – $1.9 million at Sotheby’s). Its state-of-the-art, partially subterranean distillery has also won awards – this time for its futuristic design – yet an experience here starts in the surrounding landscape, with a day of fishing and drams with The Macallan’s ghillie, Robert Mitchell. You’ll then head into the distillery for a tour, tasting and sunset supper complete with paired wines and whiskies.
Ask for: a private tour of the distillery when closed to the public – available exclusively for Quintessentially members as a part of the bespoke experience above.
![Women smiling and fishing at The Macallan, Speyside, Scotland](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/The-Macallan_2_330x330.webp)
![Futuristic landscape design at The Macallan, Speyside, Scotland](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/The-Macallan_1_330x330.webp)
The Macallan, Speyside
The Glenturret, Perthshire
Secluded on the banks of the River Turret, The Glenturret has been turning water into whisky since 1753. Explore its heritage – and blend your own bottle – on a distillery tour, before setting your sights on its Michelin-starred restaurant. Despite the cascading Lalique chandeliers, the 26-seat dining room feels pretty laidback, with fun dishes that make the most of Scottish produce; we loved the langoustine ‘taco’ topped with caviar and a refreshing lemongrass sauce. At the bar, you'll find 230 rare single malt expressions from each of Scotland’s whisky-producing regions.
Ask for: a whisky tasting in the ghillie’s hut – a remote, barrel-filled cottage overlooking Loch Turret.
![Exterior of white distillery building of The Glenturret, Perthshire, Scotland](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/The-Glenturret-Perthshire_1_330x330.webp)
![Image](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/The-Glenturret-Perthshire_2_330x330.webp)
The Glenturret, Perthshire
Glenmorangie House, Highlands
In honour of its latest limited edition single malt whisky, ‘A Tale of the Forest’, Glenmorangie has launched a new immersive experience at its boutique Highland hotel, Glenmorangie House. The nine-bedroom house was revamped in 2021 by designer Russell Sage to subtly reflect different elements of the whisky-making process; the golden-hued morning room, for example, is inspired by fields of barley. Available on select weekends in 2023, the ‘Tale of the Forest’ experience includes a tour and tasting of the nearby Glenmorangie distillery, a cocktail-making masterclass, and a five-course dinner created by Head Chef John Wilson.
Ask for: a guided walk through the surrounding Scottish woodland, chased with a wee dram of Glenmorangie.
![Image](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Glenmorangie_2_330x500.webp)
![Image](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Glenmorangie_1_330x500.webp)
Glenmorangie House, Highlands
For VIP access to any of the above, contact your lifestyle manager – or, if you’re not yet a member, find out more about the doors a Quintessentially membership could open for you here.