Located in Dufftown, Scotland, The Balvenie Distillery is a renowned whisky distillery that has been producing high-quality single malt Scotch whisky since 1892. The distillery is situated in a picturesque setting, surrounded by rolling hills and barley fields, and is home to a unique combination of traditional techniques and modern innovations. Visitors can take a guided tour of the distillery, which includes a walk through the malting floor, the mash house, and the still house, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the whisky-making process. The tour also includes a visit to the on-site warehouse, where guests can see the maturation process of the whisky, and a tasting session to sample some of The Balvenie's finest drams.
We are no whisky connoisseur but happened to be in the area so dropped in to check out the distillery. There were some last minute cancellations and we got on a tour! Tour was more expensive (PS75) than some distillery but was comprehensive and we got a good understanding of their cooperage which is great since we did not manage to join a tour at the Speyside Cooperage. Guide was patient and did not rush through the tour, allowing for questions. No photos on most part of the tour though. However, tasting room which was the finale of the tour was small (a bit like a break room for staff) and a bit letdown in terms of overall experience compared to other distilleries. The drivers pack was just clear bottles and one has to write and put on own labels.
Went on the 2pm tour with Kevin and it was fantastic! Incredibly comprehensive and personal due to the length (2.5 hours) and size (only 8 people!) of each tour. Fantastic from starting with some storytelling in the lounge, a comprehensive tour of the malting floor and distilling facilities, a driving tour of the cooperage facilities, a pit stop at balvenie castle, a warehouse visit, filling our own bottles straight from the cask (for an addtl. PS35 each), and tasting. The malting floor wasn't in production due to some repair issues, but Kevin still made it an experience for us by filling the lower level with grain and giving demonstrations of how malting turn over, etc. worked. Fantastic way to manage the issue of stalled production at a distillery that prides itself on its malting. Listening to Kevin speak as he drove through the cooperage was an absolute highlight. His passion and love for the wood types, cooperage management of casks, and cask sources truly shined through. I also got a drivers pack which was small bottles you filled yourself as the tasting happened. This was AMAZING, I loved being able to fully participate, have a whiff and little tongue tasting (barely a drop), and then fill my bottle while others had their drams and gushed about them! I got a bit short poured in my tasting glasses (more 10 than 20ml) and Kevin even added a bit more to my takeaway bottles when I mentioned it. (For clarity - I was NOT driving, I just cannot drink multiple drams in one go!) Although an incredibly long and expensive tour compared to other basic tours in the area, I think it is worth it (even the 200ml PS35 add on!). However, do not expect a visitor-centered experience. This is less polished than glenfiddich and other "destination" distilleries in the area -- and this is what we loved about it. Highly recommend doing an early glenfiddich tour for the "polished visitor experience" and then join the afternoon tour at balvenie (a short walk away) for a more "real" experience. Cheers!
This was only tour we booked way in advance for our scotland trip based on recommendations. Definitely was great idea because they don't allow walk ins unless some cancellations. It was pretty detailed tours which lasted almost 2.5 -3.0 hrs, group size was small only 8 people! It was comprehensive tour started with some stories in lounge, then visiting malting floor (unfortunately we couldn't see actual production due to facility was under maintenance), distilling facilities, a driving tour of the cooperage facility, a warehouse visit. Highlight of tour was tasting, filling and labelling our own bottle from the cask (for an extra PS35 each)
This is one of the best whisky tours in the Highlands if not in the whole world. Kevin took us around the distillery and shared his profound knowledge with charm and humor. Don't want to give anything away, but take this tour and you'll find out what a copper dog is and why it's completely brilliant!
Excellent tour experience presented by the guide Tino. He distilled knowledge about the whisky-making process and motivation towards whisky. Plenty of time for questions, which were precisely and entertainingly answered. He was kind enough to swap one of the tasting bottles to accommodate my interests. The whole 2.5 hours tour sparked motivation and curiosity about The Balvenie and whisky in general. The distillery is great, with some unique features such as their own cooperage and malting floors (all reachable through the tour). Good tour for learning and tasting nice drams whether you are a novice or an expert on whisky.
Ryan was our tour guide (his first tour). He did an excellent job showing us the character of the Balvenie Distillery. The visitor center and the shop are quite understated compared to Glenfiddich down the road, but are wonderful in their own way. The grounds were immaculate, even with all of the weather they've had recently. Overall a great experience and enhanced my love for the Balvenie line.
On-site services
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Hello! I'm your AI guide for The Balvenie Distillery. I can help you with information about this attraction, including its history, best times to visit, and tips for your visit. What would you like to know?
Discover hotels in Balvenie Distillery, Dufftown, Keith AB55 4BB
Searching for hotels...
We are no whisky connoisseur but happened to be in the area so dropped in to check out the distillery. There were some last minute cancellations and we got on a tour! Tour was more expensive (PS75) than some distillery but was comprehensive and we got a good understanding of their cooperage which is great since we did not manage to join a tour at the Speyside Cooperage. Guide was patient and did not rush through the tour, allowing for questions. No photos on most part of the tour though. However, tasting room which was the finale of the tour was small (a bit like a break room for staff) and a bit letdown in terms of overall experience compared to other distilleries. The drivers pack was just clear bottles and one has to write and put on own labels.
Went on the 2pm tour with Kevin and it was fantastic! Incredibly comprehensive and personal due to the length (2.5 hours) and size (only 8 people!) of each tour. Fantastic from starting with some storytelling in the lounge, a comprehensive tour of the malting floor and distilling facilities, a driving tour of the cooperage facilities, a pit stop at balvenie castle, a warehouse visit, filling our own bottles straight from the cask (for an addtl. PS35 each), and tasting. The malting floor wasn't in production due to some repair issues, but Kevin still made it an experience for us by filling the lower level with grain and giving demonstrations of how malting turn over, etc. worked. Fantastic way to manage the issue of stalled production at a distillery that prides itself on its malting. Listening to Kevin speak as he drove through the cooperage was an absolute highlight. His passion and love for the wood types, cooperage management of casks, and cask sources truly shined through. I also got a drivers pack which was small bottles you filled yourself as the tasting happened. This was AMAZING, I loved being able to fully participate, have a whiff and little tongue tasting (barely a drop), and then fill my bottle while others had their drams and gushed about them! I got a bit short poured in my tasting glasses (more 10 than 20ml) and Kevin even added a bit more to my takeaway bottles when I mentioned it. (For clarity - I was NOT driving, I just cannot drink multiple drams in one go!) Although an incredibly long and expensive tour compared to other basic tours in the area, I think it is worth it (even the 200ml PS35 add on!). However, do not expect a visitor-centered experience. This is less polished than glenfiddich and other "destination" distilleries in the area -- and this is what we loved about it. Highly recommend doing an early glenfiddich tour for the "polished visitor experience" and then join the afternoon tour at balvenie (a short walk away) for a more "real" experience. Cheers!
This was only tour we booked way in advance for our scotland trip based on recommendations. Definitely was great idea because they don't allow walk ins unless some cancellations. It was pretty detailed tours which lasted almost 2.5 -3.0 hrs, group size was small only 8 people! It was comprehensive tour started with some stories in lounge, then visiting malting floor (unfortunately we couldn't see actual production due to facility was under maintenance), distilling facilities, a driving tour of the cooperage facility, a warehouse visit. Highlight of tour was tasting, filling and labelling our own bottle from the cask (for an extra PS35 each)
This is one of the best whisky tours in the Highlands if not in the whole world. Kevin took us around the distillery and shared his profound knowledge with charm and humor. Don't want to give anything away, but take this tour and you'll find out what a copper dog is and why it's completely brilliant!
Excellent tour experience presented by the guide Tino. He distilled knowledge about the whisky-making process and motivation towards whisky. Plenty of time for questions, which were precisely and entertainingly answered. He was kind enough to swap one of the tasting bottles to accommodate my interests. The whole 2.5 hours tour sparked motivation and curiosity about The Balvenie and whisky in general. The distillery is great, with some unique features such as their own cooperage and malting floors (all reachable through the tour). Good tour for learning and tasting nice drams whether you are a novice or an expert on whisky.
Ryan was our tour guide (his first tour). He did an excellent job showing us the character of the Balvenie Distillery. The visitor center and the shop are quite understated compared to Glenfiddich down the road, but are wonderful in their own way. The grounds were immaculate, even with all of the weather they've had recently. Overall a great experience and enhanced my love for the Balvenie line.
