Whiskey is derived from the phrase ‘water of life’ for a reason. Whether you like it neat, on the rocks, or stirred into a cocktail, there’s nothing as smooth as a glass of whiskey. But the best way to celebrate whiskey is to appreciate it at its source, so here are the top whiskey tours worldwide you shouldn’t miss:
1. Scotland
As the motherland of whiskey, Scotland is the home to many of the world’s finest distilleries. They distill their whiskey from malted barley and divide them into five distinct categories, the most notable being Single Malt Scotch whiskey, aged in oak barrels for at least three years. The best way to explore Scotch whiskey is to visit the famous Speyside. Located in the northeastern part of Scotland, Speyside is home to the most distilleries in the country, including some of the bestselling and award-winning labels such as Glenlivet and Glenfiddich. As the only operating cooperage left in Britain today, the Speyside Cooperage is a must-see attraction.
2. Ireland
Ireland is another long standing whiskey producer. Known for its triple distilled smoothness, it was once the most popular whiskey producer in the world. There are just a few operational distilleries left in Ireland today, but the ones remaining are hundreds of years old, narrating the history of distillation.
The top two distillery tour destinations are the old Bushmills and the old Jameson distilleries. Being the oldest distillery in Ireland, Bushmills produces complex single malts and blends, including the rich Black Bush. The tour of the complex offers a walk around the Bushmills village, from the story of its beginning to tasting some of the most renowned whiskeys in the world. The old Jameson distillery is, however, no longer in function, but it is still open and acts as a museum of Ireland’s whiskey-making history.
3. America
American whiskey is created from a fermented mash of cereal grain, and is largely categorized as Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey.
One of the best ways to experience the most typical American whiskey is to take a trip to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for visits to numerous authentic distilleries, big and small.
Tennessee is, of course, the land of Jack Daniel’s. In the tiny dry town of Lynchburg sits America’s oldest distillery of one of the most popular whiskey brands in the world. The tour of this historic site tells the story of the country’s first experiences of distillation, as well as the creation of this liquid gold.
4. Australia
Australia may not seem like the most obvious destination for whiskey lovers, but it offers a great variety of attractions. Apart from the notable distilleries in Tasmania, unique whiskey tasting in Sydney is increasing in popularity due to the city’s multitude of Scotch whiskey options. The best way to start a whiskey tour in Sydney is by visiting the Archie Rose distillery and bar, the first distillery to open for over a hundred years. The Archie Rose distillery tour is what makes the experience so distinctive, allowing you to smell and taste everything from the wort to the new-make spirits, after which you can enjoy an abundance of rare whiskeys at their award-winning bar.
5. Canada
Canada is famous for its uniquely flavored whiskeys and top global brands, such as Crown Royal, Canadian Club, and Seagram’s. Single malt and 100% rye whiskey are the country’s most desired alcoholic beverages. There are many destinations in Canada that are ideal for any whiskey lover to visit, one of them being the Canadian Club Brand Centre. The notes and flavors of this distinctive blend rank Canadian Club as one of the top ten whiskeys in the world. The formal tour of the facility offers a walk through the rich history of the office building, mentioning notable historical names, and ends with a guided tasting of various Canadian Club whiskeys.
