TT&S Edinburgh: Top 10 Places to Mingle With Spirits….

I love history but I also love a good pint or cocktail (a gin & tonic most especially!) So when I travel, I like to incorporate beer, cocktails or distillery tours into my trip… sometimes all three!  While there are lots of great places in Edinburgh, here are my top 10 recommendations–5 tours and 5 bars… 

1. The Scotch Whisky Experience
2. Pickering’s Gin Distillery Tour
3. Edinburgh Gin Distillery Tour
4. Scottish Beer Tour
5. Whiski Rooms Whisky Tastings
6. Panda & Sons
7. The Botanist
8. The Potting Shed
9. The Jolly Botanist
10. The Salt Horse
    

** Bonus- Spirits & Spirits: Evening of Ghosts & Ghouls

Have you been to Edinburgh? Do you have additional suggestions to add to this list?

1. The Scotch Whisky Experience is located near the castle at the top of the Royal Mile, a cobblestoned street that runs through the middle of Old Town Edinburgh. Sure it is a bit touristy but who would not like a barrel ride through the whisky distillation process?  The tour is informative and fun, especially if you are not a big whisky fan to start. If all else, seeing the world’s largest whisky collection is worth the tour! The overall presentation from start to finish is nicely done and recommend the first time you are in Edinburgh.

2. Pickering’s Gin Distillery Tour is located in Summerhall on the grounds of a defunct Vet School. Pickering’s made International news when it offered gin filled Christmas ornaments–a big hit that sells out very quickly!– but it is the gin inside that is my favorite. The tour walks you through how the recipe was created based on an old Bombay recipe, an old family recipe dating to 1947 and how it was tweaked for a 21st century market. The tour begins at the Royal Dick Bar where Pickering’s gin is piped in directly from the distillery! Fun!

3. Whether you’re a dedicated gin lover or just looking for something a little different, Edinburgh Gin’s new home is well worth a stop. Along with a stylish rooftop bar boasting fantastic city views and a gift shop stocked with plenty of gin-inspired souvenirs, they offer everything from traditional distillery tours to hands-on experiences. I opted for the Mix & Muddle cocktail class, and it was a blast—learning to craft a few cocktails while sampling Edinburgh Gin made for a fun, interactive break from sightseeing. It’s the perfect way to shake up your Edinburgh itinerary… literally.

4.  Scottish Beer Tour is a great way to spend an afternoon while in the city! It lasts about 3 hours and no tour is the same as the beer tastings and locations vary depending on the tastes and desires of the group. The guides are experts in Scottish beer and offer recommendations that reflect what is currently on the market. It is a walking tour, history (of beer) tour and tasting all rolled into one. As each tour is fresh and distinct so it can be done multiple times if you visit the city more than once!

5. Whiski Rooms Whisky Tastings need I say more? When in Rome– uh, I mean Scotland! Whisky and Scotland are synonymous. Scotch! This whisky tasting is less about the show and more about the whisky. Whether you are looking for an introduction to whisky, or you want a little cheese or chocolate with your whisky then one of their three tours is just what you are looking for during your stay in Edinburgh!

6. Panda & Sons is a hidden gem that must be seen and experienced! The bar is a fusion of a Prohibition Speakeasy and a vintage barbershop– eclectic but fun! At the bottom of the stairs, one enters through a makeshift bookcase to find barber chairs and velvet couches, barbershop quartet music in the bathrooms and a staff that dresses the part. My favorite drink was the Tiki Takeaway– Rum, lime juice, and soy sauce (yes!) in a takeout container and cucumber garnish made to look like noodles. Another favorite was the Harry Belafonte (at left). A fun stop for a nightcap after dinner one night!

7. If you’re heading to Calton Hill—home to my favorite view of Edinburgh—The Botanist is the perfect place to fuel up before the climb or reward yourself afterward. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, a lively botanical atmosphere, and generously sized cocktails, it’s an easy spot to linger. The aptly named The Botanist Ultimate G&T definitely lived up to its reputation, and the crispy, gooey Ham & Cheese Croquettes disappeared much faster than I’d care to admit. Consider this your sign to raise a glass, enjoy a few nibbles, and toast another day of exploring Scotland.

8. The Potting Shed offers a plethora of cocktails, 18 rotating beers on tap and an extensive list of bottled beer, as well as a selection of red and white wine. With yummy bar food and a quirky atmosphere, it is a fun destination for a drink or two that is not far from the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile. 1/2 mile=walking distance! The bar offers live music 3 nights a week by local artists. The Potting Shed Mojito or Martini anyone? I am in!

9. The Jolly Botanist is the place for you if you like gin and tonic! The menu is pages upon pages of various types of gin (many Scottish but they have gin from all over the world!), a description of the botanicals used in the making, a recommended tonic water (they are not all the same!) and the perfect garnish. Who needs a plain old lime when you can have a sprig or rosemary, cinnamon stick or grapefruit and basil instead? Great gin menu and in the summer the floor to ceiling windows can be opened to allow the summer breeze to blow through… Great little place if you love gin like I do!

10. The Salt Horse is a great little beer garden and shop that offers a secluded getaway not far from the Royal Mile! Have a bite to eat and a beer… you can also get a glass of wine if you prefer… and then buy beer to take ‘home to the hotel’ with you. They offer a large selection of Scottish beer as well as beers from all over the world. A hidden gem for beer aficionados!

** Bonus- Spirits & Spirits: Evening of Ghosts & Ghouls is great if you fancy a little spirits with your spirits! Walking tours about the dark side of the city are very popular as Edinburgh has a bit or a dark, checkered past. The tour begins at the Mercat Cross and winds through the medieval streets and closes, ending up in the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Once you emerge from below you will enjoy a dram of whisky or pint of lager while you hear one or two more tales of Edinburgh’s ghoulish past. Sometimes a bit humorous, sometimes a bit melodramatic and sometimes a bit ghoulish but worth the experience on your first trip!

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