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What Makes Johnnie Walker Princes Street Different From Distillery Tours
Scotland has over 130 whisky distilleries and most offer tours. Johnnie Walker Princes Street is something entirely different — a city-centre whisky experience that won Europe’s top spirits tourism award for good reason.
- Book the Flavour Discovery experience, not just the standard tour. The standard tour is good but the Flavour Discovery uses personalised tasting to match your palate to specific whiskies. You leave knowing what you actually like, not just what the brand wants to sell you. It’s worth the premium.
- The rooftop bar is Edinburgh’s best-kept secret. The 1820 Rooftop Bar has panoramic views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town. You don’t need a tour ticket to visit — just walk in. Cocktails are priced for the location (£14-18) but the view alone justifies one drink.
- Go on a weekday morning for the best experience. Weekend afternoons are crowded and the personal touch diminishes. Tuesday at 11am, you’ll have the guides’ full attention and the experience feels exclusive rather than mass-market.
- Pair it with a traditional distillery visit for contrast. Johnnie Walker is slick and modern. Visiting Glenkinchie (30 minutes from Edinburgh) or a Speyside distillery alongside it shows the contrast between blending and single malt, between marketing and craft. Understanding both gives you the full picture of Scottish whisky.
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The accolade was based on votes from the general public and experts in tourism
In today’s email:
- Johnnie Walker Princes Street has been named “Europe’s Top Spirit Tourism Experience” at the World Travel Awards.
- I’m in Perthshire’s Blair Castle – would I spend £10K on ‘Scotland’s oldest whisky’?
- Collect your gift! – A Free Digital Copy Of The Ultimate Scotland Travel Guide
- Scottish Pubs around the World
- Around the Web: What is Urquhart Castle famous for?, Scotland weather warning as Met Office forecasts heavy rain and flooding, Britain’s Smallest Scheduled Airline: Who Are Hebridean Air Services? and more
- From Social Media – What Is The Highest Mountain In Scotland?
- Scottish Food You Will Love – Trying the BEST SEAFOOD in SCOTLAND!
- Coo Wee – Scottish Air Traffic Controller Attempts to Guide a Plane to Safety
Our Daily Newsletter is free and will remain free for our loyal followers forever.. ( if you are not subscribed then just enter your email below ) But as they say in the infomercials, that’s not all.. For less than the price of a wee dram, you can upgrade to our premium Newsletter which will give you access to our archive of travel deep dives, travel itineraries as well as special deals curated for our premium subscribers. So consider buying us a drink and upgrade to get all the goodies….
Johnnie Walker Princes Street has secured the title of “Europe’s Top Spirit Tourism Experience” at the World Travel Awards.
As the crown jewel of Diageo’s £185 million contribution to Scotch whisky tourism, it has greeted over 650,000 global visitors from 130 different nations since its inauguration in 2021. The Scotch Whisky Association’s recent data reveals that whisky tourism centers attracted approximately 2 million visitors in 2022.
I’m in Perthshire’s Blair Castle –
would I spend £10K on ‘Scotland’s oldest whisky’?
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Scottish Pubs Around The World
Scots Away – Scottish Pub Directory App is at Charlie’s Scottish Pub.
Just half an hour south of Bern in Switzerland you can find the town of Payerne.
Not far from Lake Neuchâtel you will come across Charlie’s Scottish Pub.
The perfect place to enjoy food and drinks while catching up on the days live sport.
Around The Web
What is Urquhart Castle famous for?
Urquhart Castle is an impressive and historic landmark in Scotland’s Highlands. Located on the banks of Loch Ness, it has played a major role in Scottish history since the 1300s. The castle was originally built by the Pictish people and later taken over by Robert the Bruce in 1306 when he became King of Scots.
A Deep Dive Into The Magnificent Castles Of Scotland
Scotland’s landscape is punctuated by a remarkable array of castles, each a testament to the country’s rich history and enduring beauty. From dramatic cliff-top fortresses to fairytale palaces, these castles stand as living testaments to Scotland’s past.
Rugby World Cup 2023: Ali Price on butterfly tattoos, beating Ireland and becoming a dad
Scotland weather warning as Met Office forecasts heavy rain and flooding
Two popular Edinburgh restaurants make the shortlist for prestigious ‘Curry Oscars’ as 2023 finalists announced
Two Edinburgh venues will go up against restaurants from around the UK at awards.
Edinburgh’s The Balmoral named ‘Best Hotel in Scotland’ in Condé Nast Traveller 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards
Chivas Brothers reveals plans for first Islay distillery
Britain’s Smallest Scheduled Airline: Who Are Hebridean Air Services?
Rediscovering Scotland’s Hidden Treasures: The Cumbrae Islands
From Social Media
What Is The Highest Mountain In Scotland?
Scottish Food You Will Love
Trying the BEST SEAFOOD in SCOTLAND! – Fresh Lobster & Chips
Coo Wee
Scottish Air Traffic Controller Attempts to Guide a Plane to Safety
Scottish Air Traffic Controller Attempts to Guide a Plane to Safety – For anyone who’s ever had to understand someone with a strong accent, this video is sure to amuse. In it, a Scottish air traffic controller (played by James McAvoy) tries to guide a plane to a safe landing.
The pilot, alas, has a bit of trouble understanding the controller’s thick accent. Hilarity ensues.
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A Traveller’s Perspective
Johnnie Walker Princes Street is much better than you might expect from what is essentially a brand experience. The building is stunning — a former department store on Edinburgh’s main shopping street, converted into a multi-floor whisky experience with rooftop views of the castle. Even if whisky is not your thing, the architecture and the views alone are worth the visit.
Book the Johnnie Walker experience in advance, especially at weekends. The basic tour takes about 90 minutes and includes tastings. The rooftop bar, 1820, is open to non-tour visitors and has some of the best views in Edinburgh — the castle is directly opposite at eye level. If you want to learn more about Scotch whisky, the personalised tasting experiences on the upper floors are excellent. Combine it with a walk along Princes Street and through the gardens below.
Standing on the rooftop terrace with a whisky in hand, Edinburgh Castle fills the skyline across the valley. The light changes constantly — cloud shadows chase across the castle walls, and on a clear evening the stone turns from grey to gold. Below, Princes Street Gardens are green and quiet. The whisky is smooth and warming in the Edinburgh wind. It is one of those rare brand experiences that actually delivers on its promise and then some.
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