This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Ardbeg tops Milroy’s Scotch whisky tourism guide
The Whisky Travel Index is a collaboration between London bar Milroy’s of Soho and digital agency Good Brothers.
The resource features ratings for all operational distillery visitor centres in Scotland, which are based on 15 different metrics, including cost, number of experiences, visitor reviews, amenities and whisky awards.
Each distillery and visitor attraction has been given a score from 0 to 100, with Diamond, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Highly Commended rankings.
The top 50 sites have been published online, with users able to filter experiences by the metrics they find the most important.
Five distilleries were awarded the Diamond ranking: Ardbeg, with a score of 92.2; Johnnie Walker Princes Street (89.0), Glenkinchie (84.0), Springbank (83.8), and Bruichladdich (83.5).
Ardbeg was praised for its breadth of visitor offerings, as well as its outdoor picnic provision, while Johnnie Walker was ranked highly for its convenient location, use of digital, and on-site bars and restaurants.
Glenkinchie’s benefits included its gardens, orchards and on-site whisky museum, while Springbank in Campbeltown had the highest whisky review score, with Bruichladdich’s bottlings also well-received.
Others in the top 10, who received a Gold award, included Glengoyne, Nc’nean, Deanston, Laphroaig and Glen Moray.
Kilchoman was cited as offering the best-value distillery tour, while Bowmore ranked best for premium experiences. Nc’nean was named the most sustainable.
The Milroy’s Whisky Travel Index will be updated annually and hopes to offer visitors everything they need to know in advance of a distillery visit – from directions to whether or not they can eat at the distillery.
“Some of the best whisky experiences can be found in distilleries,” said Jolyon Dunn, Milroy’s CEO. “With an ever-increasing range of producers to choose from, we understand that it can be complicated – daunting even – to plan travel to these often remote areas.
“With the Index, we will make it much easier for whisky lovers to plan their visits, whether it’s a single trip with their family, or a multi-stop spirited pilgrimage around Scotland. Our versatile digital tool will help make distillery visits unforgettable.”
Milroy’s explained that only distilleries and centres that offer tours and tasting experiences were considered, and those without publicly available prices were excluded. Notable exclusions for this reason included the Dalmore, Glencadam and Tamnavulin, among others.
Milroy’s store is currently closed for refurbishment.
Related news
Hautes Glaces: France can be ‘great whisky nation’