Discover Malt Whisky on the North Coast 500
The North Coast 500 boasts awe-inspiring mountain ranges, Mediterranean-style beaches, haunting castle ruins and charming lochs and rivers. Yes it’s true, the North Coast 500 has it all, including a fabulous array of whisky distilleries and bars! Discovering your perfect whisky on the North Coast 500 couldn’t be easier.
Whisky from the Gaelic (uisge-beatha) “water of life” has been produced in Scotland for hundreds of years. The North Highlands in particular is home to some world famous distilleries, each with their own distinct character and flavour. But it’s not just the distilleries on the route that make the North Highlands a whisky lovers dream. That’s why to celebrate World Whisky Day, we have pulled together this list of top spots to enjoy a whisky on the North Coast 500.
Whether your a novice or a whisky connoisseur, we are certain you will find your perfect dram.
Top Whisky Distilleries on the NC500
Glenmorangie Distillery
The Glenmorangie distillery is located in Tain, one of the oldest Royal burghs in Scotland, dating back to 1066.
A landscape boasting rolling hills, natural spring water from the Tarlogie Springs, and a protected shoreline. The region proved to be the perfect location back in 1843 for their founder William Matheson to start creating his whisky.
The Distillery Visitor Centre offer a range of tours with unparalleled access to the Distillery and its warehouses. With the help of their expert guides you will learn about all stages of their whisky making process, from mashing and fermenting to distilling and maturation.
All tours finish with the opportunity of a tasting and the chance to purchase the perfect Single Malt Scotch Whisky to perfectly match your tastes.
Booking essential – www.glenmorangie.com
How about you make a stay of it at Glenmorangie House? Overlooking the unspoilt shores of the Moray Firth and nestled amongst the ruins of an old castle, Glenmorangie’s Highland home is both luxurious and intimate. With everything you would expect from a 5-star hotel, but with the warmth and personality of a country house party, this really is a special place to come and experience the rugged beauty of the highlands.
Balblair Distillery
Balblair Distillery is one of the oldest and most picturesque in the world. Founded in 1790 by John Ross, it sits on the banks of the Dornoch Firth, in the shadow of Sturie Hill.
Tours of this historic distillery are available to visitors and you will also find a distillery shop on site.
Booking of tours is essential – www.balblair.com
Clynelish Distillery
Clynelish proudly serves as one of the Four Corners distilleries of Johnnie Walker. The rich Highland Malt that is enjoyed around the world on its own and as a vital component of Johnnie Walker whiskies is distilled here on site. Discover the mysterious and hidden spirit of their coastal Sutherland home, where they create the rich, waxy whisky, carrying notes of tropical fruit and honey.
Clynelish Distillery is located on the A9 at the popular coastal holiday town of Brora, Sutherland, around one hour north of Inverness. With beautiful views of the North Sea and the hills to the north, where the Clynemilton Burn runs over seams of gold in the rock. With this water, Clynelish Distillery produces a fruity, waxy, slightly smoky single malt.
Discover the right tour for you and book your experience today – www.malts.com/clynelish
Old Pulteney Distillery
Old Pulteney Distillery is one of the most northerly distilleries on the Scottish mainland. This extreme location and their unique stills have resulted in a Single Malt Scotch Whisky that is bursting with the power and subtlety of the sea.
The distillery is open to visitors and offers tours of the facility which must be booked in advance – www.oldpulteney.com
Wolfburn Distillery
One of the most northerly whisky distillery on the Scottish mainland. Completely independent, Wolfburn is run by a small team of master distillers and its range of award-winning single malt scotch whiskies have a global reputation for excellence.
Wolfburn whisky’s smooth and warming flavour stems from the unhurried way in which the spirit is made. Long fermentation is following by gentle distillation, before the spirit is laid down in the finest oak casks. The distillery’s warehouses are beautifully dark and cool, providing the perfect environment for the spirit to mature into world-class single malt whisky.
For information about tours please visit – www.wolfburn.com
Glen Ord Distillery
A visit to Glen Ord Distillery is a delight to both the eye and the palate. Watch their distillers hard at work creating a magical malt whisky which is sweet, malty and dry on the palate.
Visitors are also welcome to browse their distillery shop that is well stocked with a wide variety of single malt whiskies, books, glassware and other quality items.
Discover the right tour for you and book your experience today – www.malts.com/the-singleton-of-glen-ord
Top Whisky Bars on the North Coast 500
Royal Golf Hotel – Dornoch
Located on Royal Dornoch’s First Tee, The Royal Golf Hotel is a Scottish golfers’ paradise providing a traditional Highland welcome. The hotels Morris Bar with it’s cozy fireplace and stunning views stocks over 35 malt whiskies, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a dram or two!
For further info visit – www.royalgolfhoteldornoch.co.uk
Royal Marine Hotel – Brora
The Royal Marine Hotel is the perfect spot to finish a day of exploring. Why not relax by the roaring log fire and sample their great selection of malt whiskies, including Brora’s own Clynelish. The perfect end to a perfect day.
For further info visit – www.royalmarinebrora.com
Mackays Hotel – Wick
If you are looking for a pub or bar where you can settle in and enjoy a drink with great company, then Mackays Bar in Wick is for you. There’s no disputing that Mackays’ proud owner Murray Lamont possesses a love for sharing the finest malts available. After all, it’s not everyone that holds a merit qualification with the Scotch Whisky Association.
If it’s a traditional dram you’re after, then you are in very good hands. And if you fancy unearthing some of Scotland’s finest malts, join him for a dram on a private testing session or have a neat holiday with their whisky package.
Find out more – www.mackayshotel.co.uk
Scourie Hotel
The Scourie Hotel is situated in one of Scotland’s most stunning areas of unspoilt beauty. The hotel is blessed with wonderful views over the white sands of Scourie Bay and views towards Ben Stack, Foinaven and Arkle.
Their Lounge and Bar offer the perfect place to relax, contemplate and reminisce on that days adventure. The Scourie Hotel bar has featured in Sawdays 50 Best UK Pubs for Summer and were also included as one of only thirty five entries for the Highlands & Islands in CAMRA’s Good Pub Guide 2020. They offer a wide range of malt whiskies and a selection of over seventy five craft gins.
Find out more – www.scouriehotel.com/drink/
The Torridon Resort – The Beinn Bar
Set in 58 acres of private parkland, the main house on the Torridon Estate was built in 1887 as a Highland shooting lodge and enjoys a spectacular location at the head of Loch Torridon.
A visit to the Torridon Hotel Whisky Bar is a must for any whisky enthusiast, stocking over 350 whiskies! Yes you heard us correct, over 350 malt whiskies to try! Ranging from some old favourites to those rare bottles for that special occasion or treat.
As one of the first 50 establishments to be awarded ‘Best Whisky Bar in the World’ status by Whisky Magazine it would be a sin for any whisky lover not to pay a visit!
The Torridon are launching a brand new whisky experience for 2021, Find out more – www.thetorridon.com
The Malt Room
The Malt Room is a family-owned specialist whisky bar in the heart of Inverness. They are proud to offer a truly diverse selection of world-renowned and locally produced whiskies. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff are happy to guide you through the extensive selection. Whether you are new to the whisky world or consider yourself a connoisseur, they will have something to tantalise your palate.
You will find them just off Church Street, a hidden gem on the lane leading to the Victorian Market.
NC500 Flights
In conjunction with North Coast 500, The Malt Room have put together 3 whisky flights showcasing some of their favourite whiskies from the distilleries that you will pass on your way around 500 miles of Scotland’s most scenic roads. What better way to celebrate your trip!
Find out more – www.themaltroom.co.uk
I’m sure you will agree that when it comes to Whisky, you are spoiled for choice on the North Coast 500!
Please note:
- The legal drink-drive limit in Scotland is lower than anywhere else in the UK: 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. If you are the designated driver and visiting distilleries across the route, many of them will provide driver samples for you to enjoy back at your accommodation provider or on your return home.
