How to Spend a Weekend Whisky Tasting in Speyside
From Aberlour to Macallan:
a 2–day Itinerary in Scotland's Golden Triangle
57°28'14.8"N 3°13'38.0"W (opens Google Maps)
A weekend of whisky tasting in Scotland is always a good idea.
With over fifty whisky distilleries scattered across the rolling hills of Speyside, putting together a meaningful itinerary can prove daunting.
Having visited many of Speyside’s distilleries, I've come up with a two-day itinerary that takes in some of the finest whisky to be found in Scotland's whisky heartland.
Based from the whisky–themed Mash Tun Hotel in Aberlour, this driving itinerary takes in five legendary houses: Glenfarclas, Aberlour, Macallan, Glenfiddich, and Balvenie—each offering a distinctive taste of the amber stuff.
Of course the real magic happens in the tasting rooms, where master distillers guide you through a selection of drams, and you emerge into the daylight clutching that treasured bottle.
Arriving
Check into the Mash Tun, a comfortable hotel near the centre of Aberlour. This whisky themed hotel makes a great base for the weekend.
Aberlour Distillery (photo credit: Aberlour Whisky)
Day One: Heritage and Independence
Morning: A brief stroll from the Mash Tun Hotel leads to Aberlour distillery—parking restrictions make this walk essential. Aberlour's balance of ex-bourbon and sherry cask maturation creates crisp, citrus-forward whisky. With its traditional tasting room and classic 12-year-old, Aberlour makes an ideal introduction to Scottish Whisky.
Lunch: Return to the Mash Tun Hotel.
Afternoon: Drive to Glenfarclas (5-10 minutes), one of Scotland's last independent family distilleries. The wood-panelled tasting room, salvaged from the RMS Empress of Australia, provides an atmospheric setting for sampling the wide selection of traditional sherry cask whiskies.
Glenfarclas Distillery
Glenfarclas Distillery
Day Two: Innovation and Icons
Morning: The Macallan represents Speyside's most ambitious architectural statement—a futuristic distillery that wouldn't look out of place in a Bond film. The dramatic 'wall of whisky'—728 bottles illuminated against dark wood—exemplifies the high-tech, luxury experience. Thankfully, behind the spectacle lies some serious whisky-making, albeit on the pricey side, targeting the collector.
Lunch: The Macallan's on-site restaurant.
Afternoon: Choose between neighbouring legends in Dufftown. Balvenie offers intimate, premium tours showcasing traditional floor malting: expensive but recommended, as the experience might include 40-year-old tastings. Glenfiddich provides excellent value tours, plus their restaurant serves a wonderful Cullen Skink. Book ahead to experience both.
The Macallan Distillery
The Macallan Distillery
Glenfiddich Distillery (photo credit: Glenfiddich)
How to GET TO ABERLOUR
By Car: From Edinburgh or Glasgow, take the A9 north towards Perth, then join the A95 westbound towards Grantown-on-Spey. Continue on the A95 through Grantown-on-Spey, then follow signs for Aberlour.
From Inverness, take the A96 east towards Elgin, then join the A95 south towards Grantown-on-Spey. Follow the A95 through Craigellachie to Aberlour.
The journey from Edinburgh takes approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, from Glasgow about 3 hours, and from Inverness around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Aberlour sits on the A95 in the heart of Speyside, making it easily accessible and an ideal base for exploring the region's distilleries.
WORTH KNOWING
Book all tours directly with the distilleries. Popular tours such as the Balvenie distillery tour should be booked in advance.
Summer visits (April-October) ensure full distillery access—winter schedules vary significantly.
Opening days and times change: check if the distilleries are open on Sunday.
Most distillery tours provide driver packs from whisky tastings to enjoy back at your hotel.
There is a Co-op supermarket in Aberlour.
Useful Resources: Speyside Visitor Centre, The Speyside Whisky Trail
Alternative Base: The Dowans Hotel—boutique luxury in an exceptional Aberlour location.
The Distilleries ON THIS ITINERARY
Aberlour: A family-owned distillery that feels unpretentious, making approachable and sophisticated, sherry and bourbon cask whiskies.
Glenfarclas: As one of Scotland's last independent family distilleries, Glenfarclas have remained true to their traditional, rich, sherry-forward expressions. Glenfarclas 105 was one of the first whiskies that I tasted and remains a favourite.
Macallan: While the futuristic architecture might feel over-the-top, there is no disputing that this is excellent whisky. The theatrical 'wall of whisky' display will take your breath away, as will the collector-focused prices.
Balvenie: This is whisky-making as artisanal craft, with floor malting and traditional techniques that most distilleries abandoned decades ago. The tour here is special, as there are opportunities to taste rare whisky.
Glenfiddich: The people's champion of single malts, somehow managing to be both globally iconic and genuinely welcoming. Their great value tours strike a balance between education and entertainment, while their restaurant serves a mean Cullen Skink. The Glenfiddich 15 is both wonderful and good value.
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