Whether you prefer Bourbon whisky, Scotch whisky, or Irish whisky, a tour in a distillery of a famous brand of whisky is a recipe for a great day. Just like in brewery tours or in wineries, you will get to see the complete production process, and of course – taste the complete product. Here’s a list of ten famous whisky brands that offer a recommended tour in their distilleries
1. Glenfiddich Distillery, Dufftown, Scotland
The Glenfiddich distillery offers 3 different tours to choose from. The Explorers tour is 90 minutes long and takes you through the entire Glendfiddich story. You’ll see the visitors center, the Mash House, Still House, warehouses and dramming center, and of course taste several different types of whisky! The Glenfiddich Solera: Deconstructed tour is 2 hours 30 minutes long and takes you through the entire first tour, along with the Malt Master’s Suite, and offers superior types of whisky to taste. The Pioneers tour takes 4 hours and takes you deep inside the Glenfiddich secrets. Click here for the official site
Best Whisky Distillery Tours In The World: Glenfiddich Distillery (source: Lakeworther)
2. Old Bushmills Distillery, Bushmills, Northern Ireland
The oldest whiskey facility in Northern Ireland offers an hour long walking tour through all the different stages of the whisky production. You’ll learn about the history of Bushmills, about the process, and of course – you’ll taste Bushmills. Click here for the official site
Best Whisky Distillery Tours In The World: Old Bushmills Distillery (source: Jonathan Schachter)
Best Whisky Distillery Tours In The World: Old Bushmills Distillery (source: Yves Cosentino)
3. Jim Beam American Stillhouse, Clermont, Kentucky
The 75 minutes guided tour in the Jim Beam American Stillhouse will take you through the entire Bourbon making process. Starting with the natural limestone water, all the way through the mashing, distilling, barreling, storing, and finally – bottling. Needless to say, the tour includes Bourbon tasting as well. Click here for the official site
Best Whisky Distillery Tours In The World: Jim Beam American Stillhouse (source: Ka!zen)
4. The Macallan Distillery, Craigellachie, Scotland
The tour in the Macallan Estate is 1 hour 45 minutes. It is done in small groups of maximum 10 people each to ensure a personal experience. The guided tour will take you through the entire world of The Macallan, and then you’ll experience a nosing and tasting of four The Macallan whiskies. Click here for the official site
Best Whisky Distillery Tours In The World: The Macallan Distillery (source: Martin Thomas)
Best Whisky Distillery Tours In The World: The Macallan Distillery (source: schlaeger)
5. Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee
The walking tour in the Jack Daniel’s Distillery is mostly outdoors and takes about 1 hour 10 minutes. The enhanced tour that includes sampling takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. Click here for the official site
Best Whisky Distillery Tours In The World: Jack Daniel’s Distillery (source: Bruce Tuten)
6. Jameson: There are two locations in Ireland where you can get the full Jameson experience:
The Old Jameson Distillery, Dublin, Ireland – Jameson’s original distillery in Dublin is now a visitor’s center. The guided tour is just under an hour long and takes you through the entire history of Jameson – the most famous Irish whisky brand. The tour includes a comparative tasting and a complimentary Jameson drink, as well as Whiskey Taster Certificate. The Jameson tour is a popular attraction in Dublin
Best Whisky Distillery Tours In The World: The Old Jameson Distillery (source: Miroslav Krejcirik)
The Jameson Experience, Midleton, Ireland – The modern Jameson distillery that produces all the brand’s whiskies is situated in Midleton, near Cork. Like the tour in the old distillery, you will learn all about the history and production process of Jameson, and will enjoy a complimentary Jameson drink as well as the certificate. The tour lasts one hour. Click here for the official site of both locations
Best Whisky Distillery Tours In The World: The Jameson Experience (source: IProspectIE)
7. Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Wild Turkey bourbon whiskey was first introduced in 1940 and quickly became famous. Tours are held in the visitors center daily. Click here for the official site
Best Whisky Distillery Tours In The World: Wild Turkey Distillery (source: Chris Breeze)
8. Talisker Distillery, Skye, Scotland
This 200 years old distillery is beautifully located on Skye island. The tour takes you through Talisker’s copper pot stills, the worm tubs and the warehouse, and gives you a deep understanding of the entire process, and of course – a taste. While you’re there you can enjoy the wonderful scenery of the island as well as the diverse marine life. Click here for the official site
Best Whisky Distillery Tours In The World: Talisker Distillery (source: Steffen Abel)
9. George Washington Distillery & Gristmill, Alexandria, Virginia
After leaving the office of the president of the United States, George Washington opened a distillery at his Virginia estate, Mount Vernon. Washington’s distillery produced as much as 11,000 gallons of whiskey a year. In 2005, after research, excavation and reconstruction, the George Washington distillery reopened and it looks and works exactly how it did back in the 18th century. Tours are available every day of the year. Click here for the official site
The reconstructed George Washington Gristmill at Mount Vernon (source: David Baron)
10. Maker’s Mark Distillery, Loretto, Kentucky
Another distillery from the great state of Kentucky, Maker’s Mark may not be a world famous label, but the tour is widely recommended. Maker’s Mark distillery was opened in 1953 and the bourbon is bottled by taste rather than age, but with a minimum of 2 years. Click here for the official site
Best Whisky Distillery Tours In The World: Maker’s Mark Distillery (source: Shadle)
