Whisky Tastings in Edinburgh Around the World: 15 to Book

1.Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,451 reviews · 2 hours · from $24Our pick

Meet your English-speaking guide at Hot Toddy, just off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, for two hours of Scottish whisky and storytelling. You’ll taste four single malts from Scotland’s main whisky regions, learn how to taste them, and hear tales of kings, smugglers, outlaws, and local folklore. Alternatives are available if whisky is not your drink.

“Great tour, we had Ben who was very engaging and new his stuff. Well worth going.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Scotch Whisky Tasting & Stories — Bespoke Whisky Lounge

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 972 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24Top rated

Spend about two hours at Hot Toddy on Jeffrey Street with a whisky guide and storyteller. Taste four single malts from Scotland’s main whisky regions, compare Highland and Lowland styles, and hear folklore, family tales, and Edinburgh whisky history. Non-whisky drink alternatives are available on request.

“Do this tour- so fascinating and educational and not cheesy or weird. I was concerned at first but our storyteller was so engaging and entertaining the time flew by and we walked away with such good history and awareness of this great city-- I never do dinner attached to a tour and it seemed those that did were not happy but the actual whiskey tasting and story telling was 5 stars!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Scottish Highlands Tour with Whisky Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 628 reviews · 9.5 hours · from $63

Travel from Edinburgh into Highland Perthshire with an English-speaking guide, stopping in Dunkeld, the Hermitage, Pitlochry, and at Queen’s View. Walk to Black Linn Falls, see Britain’s tallest tree, then tour Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery and taste Scottish whisky. Guides such as Duncan, Graeme, Mac, and Kylie are praised for lively stories and music.

“The guide was the best !! William is a gem of a person .. also the Dewar tour was really nice”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.The Lost Close Underground Scotch Whisky Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 474 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $53

Meet your guide outside John’s Coffee House & Tavern, just behind St Giles Cathedral, then head into The Lost Close, a newly uncovered underground venue. Over 1.5 hours, taste four Scotch whiskies from Scotland’s main whisky regions while hearing stories about the industry. Upgrade to intermediate or high-end drams if you want rarer bottles.

“Absolutely loved the tasting! Lydia was awesome, very personable and kept us laughing. Had a great time!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.90min Underground Whisky Tasting in Edinburgh’s Old Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 350 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Meet at John’s Coffee House on Parliament Square for a 90-minute introduction to Scotch whisky in The Lost Close, an underground Old Town venue. A guide such as Mark, Dan, Haley, or Nicky leads you through four regional drams, whisky-making basics, tasting skills, and Edinburgh stories. Groups are limited to eight.

“There are a number of steps involved, although there might be a lift. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly and answered questions with clarity. I would recommend this experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Luxury Whisky Tasting in Edinburgh’s Underground Vaults | 90min

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 140 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $131

Meet at John’s Coffee House and descend into The Lost Close for five whiskies from five Scottish regions. Guides such as Mark, Eleanor, Sara, and Nicky explain whisky-making, local history, tasting technique, and the characters behind the trade. Groups are capped at 10, making this a focused experience for both whisky fans and curious beginners.

“It was very informative and enjoyable. Guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Whiskey was wonderful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Scotch Whisky Tasting – The True Spirit of Scotland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $52

Meet at John Knox House on Edinburgh’s High Street, then walk to a central whisky bar for four tastes: three single malts and one new make spirit. Your local guide explains Scotch regions, production, history, and tasting technique in a relaxed 90-minute session. Guides may include Marcus, Nick, David, Victoria, Richard, or Carlos.

“Marcos hey Siri knowledgeable About the history of whiskey, and how it intertwined with the history of Scotland. Very informative and enjoyable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.ScotchandScran OldTown Tour, Whisky Tasting, Scottish Charcuterie

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $89

Spend about three hours in Edinburgh’s Old Town with guide Iain, visiting landmarks, closes, Harry Potter photo spots, and storied streets. Then join whisky expert Hector Maclean for several Scottish drams paired with haggis bon bons, venison, pork salami, cheddar, and West Coast Brie. Groups are limited to 15.

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Afternoon Whisky Tasting in a Traditional Edinburgh Bar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $54

Meet Neil at 2:30pm near Edinburgh’s Lawnmarket for four single malt Scotch whiskies in the traditional Jolly Judge bar. He adjusts the tasting to your experience, explains production and flavors, and shares advice on whisky shops and bars. Groups are limited to six, making this a relaxed introduction for beginners.

“Neil was so great. He was so knowledgeable about whiskey and everything whisky related. We had a great time learning about the process and trying new flavors.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.The Mountebank Comedy Whisky Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $16Best value

Meet comedian and Scottish historian Daniel Downie at the Waverley Bar for four malt whiskies from across Scotland. He explains whisky-making, regions, and Scottish history with plenty of adult humor. The tasting lasts about 90 minutes, includes dog Brahan, and ends back at the bar.

“We had so much fun with Daniel during this whisky tasting. He was quite knowledgeable about how Scotch whisky is made, the various types, and the regions they come from. Daniel's jokes were hilarious, and I have to say this was one of my favorite events we booked during our stay in Edinburgh.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Scotch Whisky Tasting – Scotland’s True Spirit

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 21 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $51

Meet your guide under a black umbrella by John Knox House, then walk through Edinburgh for a 90-minute tasting. You’ll sample three single malts and one new make spirit while guides such as Valeria or Nick explain production, regions, maturation, and Scotch traditions. Whisky alternatives are available on request.

“Bonnes explications, guide, prévenant et gentille. On aurait apprécié qu’il parle français.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Harry Potter Walking Tour and Whisky Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 20 reviews · from $101

Follow a Potter-head guide from Tron Kirk through Edinburgh’s Old Town, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and Victoria Street, then taste several regional Scotches in The Lost Close with a whisky expert. The 3.5-hour tour is limited to eight adults and includes guides such as Benjamin Smith.

“Great tour! Easy walk, great guide. Lots of fun information”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Whisky tasting experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $48

At Jeffrey Street Whisky & Tobacco in central Edinburgh, you’ll taste five Scotch whiskies while learning how whisky is made and how to taste it properly. Hosts such as Hector and Daniel bring Scottish history, politics, and humor into the hour-long session. It suits beginners and whisky fans alike, but plan to use public transport since alcohol is served.

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Private Whisky Tasting, Scottish Food & Wine Pairing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $611

Spend three hours with Joanne of Swirl Sip Socialise, tasting sparkling, white, rosé, red wine, and two single malt whiskies. Each drink comes with Scottish artisan food, from salmon and scallops to cheese and oatcakes. The small group visits three central venues and includes a Princes Street Gardens walk.

“our party of had a great time. Host has amazing knowledge. The only thing is we all left feeling hungry, but there was PLENTY of wine.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Scottish Whisky Tasting with a Local Expert

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 17 reviews · 3 hours · from $152

Spend three private hours tasting four Scottish whiskies with a local host in Edinburgh’s Old Town. You’ll compare peaty, oaky, single malt, and blended Scotch, hear how whisky shaped the city, visit a whisky cellar and local pub, and get flexible recommendations for food and drink.

“Great seeing the city history on the way to the pubs”

Check availability →Read our full review