The best whisky distillery experiences you can visit anywhere in Scotland

WHISKY is the undisputed national drink of Scotland with the industry surrounding this beverage generating billions of pounds every year.

Whether you enjoy a wee dram every now and again or are a whisky connoisseur, you may be looking for some of the best distillery experiences anywhere in the country.

This is why The Milroy’s Whisky Travel Index has compiled the best whisky distilleries in Scotland, featuring places in major cities like Edinburgh and rural destinations like Elgin.

See the best whisky distillery experiences you can visit in Scotland

These are the best whisky distillery experiences you can visit anywhere in Scotland (including their overall scores), according to The Milroy’s Whisky Travel Index.

1. Ardbeg Distillery - 92.24
2. Johnnie Walker Princes Street - 88.97
3. Glenkinchie Distillery - 83.97
4. Springbank Distillery - 83.84
5. Bruichladdich Distillery - 83.50
6. Glengoyne Distillery - 81.17
7. Nc'nean Distillery - 79.45
8. Deanston Distillery - 78.39
9. Laphroaig Distillery - 78.34
10. Glen Moray Distillery - 78.28

Praising the Ardbeg Visitors Centre, which took the top spot, the experts said: "Perched on the edge of Islay’s rocky coast, the Ardbeg Visitors Centre offers eight different experiences ranging from £20 to £90 per person ($25 to $114), including an outdoor tasting and picnic.

"Multiple top-five finishes across several categories, including average whisky review score, number of reviews, total tour and tasting experiences on offer, and recent industry award wins, helped propel Ardbeg to the number one spot on The Milroy’s Whisky Travel Index with a score of 92.24 out of 100."

Highlighting the runners-up, the index added: "Technically a purpose-built attraction rather than a distillery, Johnnie Walker’s award-winning Princess Street Visitors Centre came second in our top 50 whisky tour and tasting experiences, while the Glenkinchie Distillery, also known as Lowlands home of Johnnie Walker, finished in third place with a score of 83.97 out of 100."

Ardbeg Distillery was named the best whisky experience in Scotland (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

See the best sustainable whisky distilleries in Scotland

Three sustainable distilleries in Scotland were also highlighted by the index with Nc'nean in Drimnin, Bruichladdich on Islay and Arbikie in Montrose being named.

Commending overall winner Nc'nean, the experts said: "Established in 2017, Nc'nean is a small independent distillery with a focus on crafting organic and sustainable whisky.

"Nc’nean has been recognised with multiple industry awards for its sustainable process and is a registered B-Corp - meaning that they have been independently verified to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability."