top 5 whisky distilleries to visit in and around pitlochry, perthshire
Article last updated: March 2023
Photo: Andrew Dawes, Unsplash
Whisky has been produced in Scotland for centuries, and there is a rich tradition and culture surrounding its production. Many Scottish distilleries have been operating for hundreds of years, and their methods have been passed down through generations. We are lucky enough to have some fantastic distilleries in-and-around the Pitlochry area. Here’s the 5 you should visit during your stay with us.
blair athol distillery, pitlochry
Located in the town of Pitlochry, Blair Athol Distillery is one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries, established in 1798. Blair Athol draws its water from an ancient source - the Allt Dour Burn - a stream that flows through the grounds from the Ben Vrackie mountain, giving the range of single-malt whiskies it produces a smooth, complex, and mellow finish.
Blair Athol Distillery is a 7-minute walk from Saorsa 1875.
edradour distillery, pitlochry
Situated in the picturesque village of Moulin, just a few miles from Pitlochry, Edradour Distillery is Scotland's smallest distillery and was founded in 1825. Edradour is committed to authentic small-scale production, and it is the last stronghold of single malt whisky from a farm distillery still in production today. Despite its small size, Edradour produces more whiskies than some other distilleries.
Due to the COVID pandemic, Edradour Distillery is currently closed to visitors.
dalwhinnie distillery
Located about 30 miles north of Pitlochry in the village of Dalwhinnie, this distillery is known for its smooth and mellow single malt whisky, accentuated with notes of heather honey, citrus, and vanilla. Dalwhinnie is the highest and coldest working distillery in Scotland, and its water is sourced from a loch at 2000ft. The name of the distillery is derived from the Gaelic for ‘meeting place’, referring to the meeting of ancient cattle drovers’ routes through the mountains.
Dalwhinnie Distillery is a 38-minute drive from Saorsa 1875.
dewar’s aberfeldy distillery
This distillery, located about 15 miles west of Pitlochry in the town of Aberfeldy, produces a range of single malt whiskies that are known for their honeyed sweetness and fruity notes. Their whisky is slowly distilled in Alembic copper pot stills and aged in the finest oak casks. Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery was founded in 1898 and sources its water from the Pitilie Burn which is known to contain traces of alluvial gold.
Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery is a 22-minute drive from Saorsa 1875.
strathearn distillery
The newest of the distilleries on this list, Strathearn started production in 2013. Located in the village of Methven, it’s an experimental microdistillery (their casks are 50 litres as opposed to the industry standard 200 litres) that guarantees that every batch of whisky produced from its tiny stills will be unique. It also produces a range of gins and rums.
Strathearn Distillery is a 42-minute drive from Saorsa 1875.
