Stourton: English Whisky Distillery Tour & Full Tasting

Summary

English whisky tour in Stourton with guided tasting and spirit stories

You’ll step inside Stourton’s working English whisky distillery with a local guide, wander through aromatic warehouses, and sample their full range of spirits—even if you’re driving. Expect laughter over tastings, unexpected flavors from both whisky and gin, and a glimpse into how tradition mixes with new ideas here.

What’s the experience like?

You walk in and there’s this warm, slightly sweet scent—like toasted grain and something sharper underneath. Our guide, Tom, waved us over by the copper stills (they’re bigger than I thought) and started talking about how English whisky is making its own way, not just copying Scotland. He had this way of explaining things that made even the technical bits feel like stories. Someone asked if they ever get tired of the smell—he just laughed and said it’s better than his old job at a fish market.

The tour took us through the warehouses, where it was cool and quiet except for our footsteps echoing off the barrels. I ran my hand along one of them—oak feels rougher than I expected. Tom pointed out how each cask gives its own flavor, which made me weirdly curious about how many tiny differences you can actually taste. When we got to the tasting room, there were little glasses lined up for everyone (even for drivers, though theirs were special “nosing” glasses so they could still join in). The first sip hit me with this peppery warmth—honestly, I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did.

We tried their gin too, which smelled like walking past a garden after rain. There was some friendly teasing when I mixed up “botanicals” and “botanists”—Tom said he’d never let me live that down. The whole thing felt relaxed; nobody rushed us or made us feel out of place for not knowing all the whisky lingo. By the end, I kept thinking about those barrels sitting quietly in the dark—and how much patience goes into every bottle here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Distillery tour and tasting experience

• Arrive at Stourton distillery
• Join guided distillery tour
• Visit still house and warehouses
• Taste full range of spirits
• Enjoy whisky and gin tasting

Top questions

Is the Stourton distillery tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, both the distillery building and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

What spirits are included in the tasting?

The tasting includes their full range of whisky and gin.

Can drivers participate in the tasting?

Yes, drivers receive special nosing glasses so they don’t miss out on any aspect of the experience.

How long does the guided tour last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but includes a full guided visit plus tasting session.

Is lunch or food included on this tour?

No meals are mentioned; only alcoholic beverages (whisky and gin) are included.

Do you need to be physically fit to join?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What’s included

Your visit includes a guided tour through Stourton’s English whisky distillery—including time in both the still house and warehouse—and a tasting session covering their entire range of spirits like whisky and gin. Drivers get nosing glasses so everyone can join in fully.