Tour a Dozen Scottish Distilleries for Free!

Friends of the Classic Malts Free Pass
Friends of the Classic Malts Free Pass

This past summer, I spent a glorious two weeks in Scotland.

The primary object of the trip was to partake in the incredible Edinburgh Festival Fringe.  Because I also wanted to see the countryside, I signed up for a small group tour to the Isle of Skye with Rabbies.

One of the surprise stops on the tour was a visit to the Dalwhinnie distillery.  Whisky isn’t my cup of tea.  But who could resist sampling an intense glass of hot chocolate with a wee dram of whisky?

A basic tour of the Dalwhinnie distillery costs £12 but you can get in free if you join their club, the Friends of the Classic Malts.

What’s more, as a Friend of the Classic Malts, you are eligible for a free tour of twelve Scottish distilleries, along with a complimentary dram of single malt Scotch whiskey at each stop.  Basic tours at the distilleries can cost between £5 to £12.

Most locations also offer a more extensive tour that typically includes extra tastings.

To take advantage of this great offer, you can sign up  with Friends of the Classic Malts online.  Download your pass, and bring it with you when you travel to Scotland.

The following classic distilleries participate in the program:

  • Blair Athol
  • Caol Ila
  • Cardhu
  • Clynelish
  • Cragganmore
  • Dalwhinnie
  • Glenkinchie
  • Glen Ord
  • Lagavulin
  • Oban
  • Royal Lochnagar
  • Talisker

At your first distillery visit, show your pass and request a “Friends journal.”   You can collect stamps in the journal at each distillery that you visit.  If you collect all twelve stamps, you are rewarded with a Quaich, the traditional whisky sharing cup!

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