Whisky Tasting, Gin Tasting & Wine Tasting near Edinburgh, Scotland
At Winton Castle, we offer a good range of mouth-watering, engaging tastings. You can choose between whisky tasting, wine and Champagne tasting, gin tasting, craft beer or cheese tastings.
Our tasting events are always fun, educational experiences, and you’ll head home with some great tips you can impress your friends with!
Experience our Popular Scotch Whisky Tasting
A whisky tasting helps you absorb Winton Castle’s tranquil ambience while learning from our expert whisky (‘nose’) hosts. Whisky tastings are an ideal ice-breaker, as you nose and taste drams of our national drink ‘aqua vitae’ (Latin for ‘water of life’!).
Learn about world-famous Scottish single malt whiskies, and their production processes: from malting the barley to mashing, to pot still distillation, to cask. You’ll taste several different whiskies, finishing off with a dram in your hand.
Whisky tasting is a very popular activity for overseas visitors, particularly for guests from the US and Europe.
Another option is an after-dinner, informal whisky tasting. A whisky station can be set up, stocked with several whiskies. Any of your guests can then try some drams and ask questions about their characteristics and provenance.
You’ll taste some of Scotland’s finest single malts from the following regions, each with their own unique characteristics, from golden sweet honey-hues to more powerful peaty and smoky amber malts:
- Lowlands: Glenkinchie & Auchtentoshan
- Speyside: Macallan, Glenfiddich, Aberlour & Balvenie
- Highlands: Dalmore, Glengoyne, Glenmorangie & Oban
- Islays: Laphroaig and Lagavulin
- Islands: Jura & Talisker
Taste Gins from East Lothian and Edinburgh
With the resurgence of gin’s popularity and over 70% of the UK’s gin being made in Scotland we are thrilled to work in collaboration with NB Distillery, whose London Dry Gin has been voted best in the world. NB Gins are distilled locally in East Lothian on the shores of North Berwick. You’ll also have an opportunity to sample other interesting gins distilled in Edinburgh.
We can arrange some canapes made from local ingredients for a sensory food-pairing with a NB Gin such as ‘Venison with Juniper Cream’ and ‘Cheddar with Bloody Mary Chutney’!
Wine and Champagne Tasting
“Give your palate a treat.”
Wine tasting and Champagne tasting always go down well with Winton Castle visitors. They’re perfect for winding down after an afternoon of energetic outdoor activities or as a treat after a day of meetings.
Our entertaining, expert sommeliers we can lay on a delicious range of wines and Champagnes from the Old and New World, sharing their exciting flavours and stories.
If you haven’t tried Champagne tasting before, you will learn about different grape varieties, why the size of bubbles is important, and how to read a label.
Craft Beer Tasting
With the explosion of craft beer micro-breweries in Scotland, we are delighted to offer you an alternative craft beer tasting of our finest local, hoppy brews.
We would be delighted to customise your tasting to suit your numbers and requirements, with other activities or on its own. Just contact us for more information.