Whisky distilleries are the lifeblood of the Scotch whisky trade, and distillery excursions are an effective way for the distilleries to make additional earnings to place into the enterprise, whereas on the identical time educating most of the people on the various intricacies of the whisky trade. For those who’re a whisky lover, and even when you simply occur to be in Scotland or wherever else the place there’s a whisky distillery in place, I can extremely advocate that you just take a distillery tour.
In right now’s put up, I’m going to be sharing just a few ideas with you on tips on how to plan and revel in a whisky distillery tour to get essentially the most from it.
Make a Correct Break of It
Clearly, all of us have our personal private lives, jobs, youngsters, houses to run, and different tasks, however when you get the prospect to take pleasure in a Scottish getaway, an extended weekend, and even an overnighter the place you possibly can take a tour of a distillery, please do.
Whisky distillery excursions aren’t simply out and in jobs. No less than, they shouldn’t be. Completely different distilleries are totally different sizes and supply a spread of various tour choices, besides, you received’t be out and in within the area of an hour. Due to this, it’s finest to make a correct break of it when you can, as that manner you possibly can go at your personal tempo, take pleasure in a wee dram or two, and go exploring.
Even when you occur to be driving, most distilleries provides you with a ‘driver’s dram’ which you’ll be able to take away and revel in at dwelling, or again at your lodge or lodging whenever you get again.
Do Your Analysis
One other factor I’ve discovered significantly helpful earlier than reserving onto any whisky distillery tour, is planning forward and doing loads of analysis.
When you’ve discovered a distillery or whisky area you undoubtedly wish to go to, you possibly can then go forward and discover out extra about it. I don’t imply the historical past of the place, as you’ll find out about that on the tour. No, what I imply is use out what sort of excursions the distillery presents, in addition to issues like costs, food and drinks choices, language choices, and that type of factor.
For those who’re having fun with a break free, you might additionally do a little analysis into the place you’re staying and discover good issues to do and different locations to go to whenever you’re not studying about whisky.
Costume Appropriately
I’m talking from firsthand expertise right here, so take it from me, you do not need to put on the fallacious issues when visiting a whisky distillery, particularly in Scotland in locations like The Highlands or Islay.
Scotland is a beautiful nation and a lot of the distilleries are positioned in breathtaking areas, however my phrase, can they get chilly. Naturally it’s colder up north, and when you’re by the coast you’ll even have these coastal breezes and temperatures to take care of.
As we’re within the UK, you also needs to put together for rain, whatever the season. I’ve taken a tour of Strathisla earlier than, within the top of summer season, and made the error of carrying shorts and a T-shirt. For sure, the heavens opened, the wind picked up, and I received soaked and spent the remainder of the day chilly and moist. Even the White Peak Distillery in England’s beautiful Peak District, sees under common temperatures and will get cooler and breezier than extra urbanised settings like Sheffield and Chesterfield.
Mainly, what I’m making an attempt to say is that you need to gown comfortably, and put together for unhealthy climate. Although the stillrooms might be heat and humid, the remainder of the distillery will likely be a lot cooler, particularly within the winter. Oh, and when you’re up in Scotland, don’t overlook your midge repellent, because the midgies can get fairly unhealthy and also you don’t wish to get bitten.
Attempt to E-book the Full Tour
Whereas full guided excursions are usually costlier than fundamental excursions, they’re, by far, essentially the most attention-grabbing and are a should for eager whisky aficionados resembling yourselves.
With a full guided tour, you’ll mainly study all the pieces there may be to study in regards to the distillery, its historical past, the whisky-making course of, and the merchandise that they produce. You’ll learn the way the distillery took place, attention-grabbing tales about its previous, its affect on the realm, the gear, the distillation course of, how the whisky is made, the way it’s matured, and lots extra in addition to.
Once we have been simply beginning out, I realized a lot in regards to the whisky-making course of and the spirits trade normally via distillery excursions, and I’m nonetheless studying to at the present time. Belief me, if in case you have the choice, I strongly advocate that you just e-book onto a full guided tour.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
One other tip on the subject of actually having fun with a whisky distillery tour is to become involved and ask loads of questions.
If there’s one thing you’d prefer to know, be it in regards to the distillery’s historical past, the casks used, the maturation stage, the whisky normally, or the rest, simply go forward and ask. The tour guides, which is able to nearly actually be heat and pleasant, will gladly reply any questions you might need.
Don’t E-book Purely for Freebies
Don’t get me fallacious, most distilleries are beneficiant on the subject of samples and tastings, however don’t assume you’re going to lavished with free whisky from the second your tour begins till the second it ends. What number of samples and tastings you obtain will rely upon the distillery and how much tour or expertise you’ve booked. Most distilleries will likely be clear and can let you know the way many free drams you’ll be having fun with upfront. If the information is feeling significantly beneficiant, you could even get one or two extras.
Mainly, don’t e-book within the hopes of getting sloshed. It is best to take pleasure in sufficient samples to present you a wee glow, however you received’t be crawling out the door and heading to the closest kebab store whenever you’re completed.
While you do obtain your samples/tastings, don’t simply glug it down. Odor the aromas and savour the flavours. Attempt to perceive the whisky and see what sorts of notes you possibly can choose up from each.
Oh, and in addition, don’t overlook your spending cash. You’ll kick your self when you liked considered one of your samples, solely to seek out that you just don’t have your pockets on you to seize a bottle or two to take pleasure in whenever you get again.
So there we have now it, these are my ideas for having fun with a whisky distillery tour. Significantly, when you get the prospect to take pleasure in a guided tour of a whisky distillery, I strongly advocate that you just e-book it. You’ll study a lot and also you’ll be so glad that you just did.
For those who’d prefer to study extra about your favorite whiskies, or seize your self a wee dram or two on the identical time, head on over to GreatDrams.com and try what we have now to supply.
With a big choice of limited-edition, uncommon, and award-winning whisky, in addition to heaps of whisky information on our weblog, it’s the proper spot for any whisky lovers on the market.
