Scotch Whisky Tasting in Edinburgh: Learn the Regions & Styles

Four drams, four stories: single malts from across Scotland plus the spirit before the barrel

A 90-minute whisky tasting class in Edinburgh where you taste three single malts and one new make spirit while learning the history, distillation secrets and regional styles that define Scotch. A local guide in your chosen language walks you through origins, the golden age of Scotch, Edinburgh's influence on its fame, and the anecdotes behind each dram. Minimum age 18; wheelchair accessible; available in English, Spanish, Italian or German.

The experience

The tasting starts near John Knox House in central Edinburgh and moves to a whisky bar where you'll taste four spirits back to back. You begin with the new make, unaged whisky straight from distillation, which shows you what the spirit tastes like before time in the barrel changes it. Then come three single malts from different regions of Scotland, each one carrying the signature of where it was made: the peat and smoke of Islay, the honey and orchard notes of Speyside, the coastal salt of a Highland or Island dram. The guide doesn't just pour. They talk through the origins and evolution of Scotch, the golden age when Edinburgh's merchants and traders made it a global drink, and why these regional differences matter.

The experience leans on stories as much as tasting notes. You'll hear memorable anecdotes tied to each dram: the kind of detail that sticks with you after the glass is empty. The guide explains how distillation works, what makes a single malt different from blended whisky, and why Scotch carries such weight in global spirits culture. By the end of 90 minutes, you've tasted four whiskies, learned the regions and styles that separate them, and picked up enough to recognize what you're drinking the next time you order one.

The class runs in English, Spanish, Italian or German, so you choose the language when you book. Wheelchair access covers all areas and surfaces. Public transport stops nearby if you're coming from elsewhere in Edinburgh, and the minimum age is 18.

What’s included

• Three single malt whisky tastings from different Scottish regions.
• one new make spirit (unaged whisky).
• expert local guide in English, Spanish, Italian or German.
• education on distillation, regional styles, and Edinburgh's role in Scotch's history.

Options for this experience

3 options

Whisky tasting in Spanish19:00

Whisky tasting conducted in English17:30

Whisky tasting in GermanGuide in Italian · 17:30

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 17:30 and 19:00

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Wheelchair accessiblePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by WdeWhisky

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to understand what you're tasting instead of just tasting it: the guide's stories and explanations turn four drams into a lesson in why Scotch matters, and the new make spirit shows you what whisky tastes like before the barrel changes everything.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In Spanish, at 19:00. In English and Italian, at 17:30.

What exactly do I taste in this whisky class?

You taste four spirits: one new make (unaged whisky) and three single malts from different regions across Scotland. Each one shows a different style: the guide walks you through the flavors and what makes each region distinct.

How long does the tasting take?

The class runs 90 minutes from start to finish, including all four tastings and the guide's talk on history, distillation and regional styles.

Where in Edinburgh does the tasting happen?

The experience begins at the entrance of John Knox House, then moves to a central whisky bar where the tastings take place.

What will I learn about Edinburgh's connection to Scotch whisky?

The guide covers Edinburgh's influence on Scotch's rise to global fame, including the role the city's merchants and traders played in making it a worldwide drink during the golden age of Scotch.

Is this tasting suitable if I'm new to whisky?

Yes. The guide starts with the fundamentals (how distillation works, what a single malt is, why regions matter), so you don't need any prior knowledge. The new make spirit shows you the raw spirit before aging, which helps you understand what the barrel does.