Britain's Distilleries
That's the Spirit: Britain's best distilleries offer a top tipple
Daniel Allen
Whether you are a fan of whisky or gin, a visit to one of Britain's renowned distilleries - many of which have a venerable history - is guaranteed to leave you in good cheer. Although the majority are open all year round for visits, there's no better way for liquor lovers to beat out the winter cold than sampling a dram or two at these paragons of alcoholic refinement. Here are some recommendations.
Highland Park, Orkney
Those who make it to the Isles of Orkney have an important decision to make - to visit one of the archipelago's distilleries, or both.
Founded in 1798 and located just outside Kirkwall, the main town on Orkney, the Highland Park distillery is the most northerly distillery in Scotland (half a mile farther north than the neighbouring Scapa distillery). The name of the whisky doesn't come from the area of Scotland known as The Highlands - as many people assume - but from the fact that the distillery was founded on an area called "High Park."
Highland Park is one of the few distilleries to malt its own barley, using locally cut peat from Hobbister Moor. The peat is then mixed with heather before being used as fuel. The distilleries single malts have won numerous awards; in 1984, Highland Park was the only whisky ever to have scored a rating of 100% by the regular tasting team of The Scotsman newspaper.
The distillery offers a number of tours, ranging from £7.50 to £75 per person. These include a short film, a guided tour of the site, and sampling of various whiskies.
Scapa, Orkney
Scapa, the "artisanal" Orcadian single malt Scotch whisky owned by Chivas Brothers, recently unveiled its first-ever distillery visitor centre as it seeks to educate malt connoisseurs about its unique production process, provenance and quality. The opening marks the first occasion that the Scapa facilities have been available to the public since the distillery opened its doors in 1885.
The Scapa whisky distillery had been distilling since long before, having been founded by Messrs. Macfarlane and Townsend in 1885. The little huddle of buildings lies just outside of Kirkwall at Scapa Bay, and the distillery draws its waters from the Lingro Burn. Scapa is unique for an island whisky in that its malted barley has an entirely peat-free flavour - this produces a distinctive, slightly sweet alcohol boasting hints of vanilla and nuts.
The new Scapa visitor centre and tour are open to adults seven days per week from April to September, and five days per week from September to November.
Black Friars, Devon
Located in the The Barbican neighbourhood of Plymouth, and also known as the Plymouth Gin Distillery, Black Friars has been in operation since 1793. The beautiful distillery building dates back to the early 1400's, with the most intact part of the complex - a medieval hall with a fine hull-shaped timber roof known as the Refectory Room - one of the oldest buildings in the city.
Soon after Black Friars was established Plymouth Gin became a firm favourite in the numerous countries it was shipped to. The gin drinking of the Royal Navy considerably enhanced gin's prestige and Plymouth became popular across the world. In more recent times there has been an increase in the popularity of the distinctive sweeter and lighter but stronger Plymouth flavour, compared to the more usual London Dry Gin.
Black Friars offers a range of tours, ranging in price from a 40-minute, £7 inspection through to an in-depth, 2.5-hour "Master Distiller's" outing (£40) where visitors get to create (and take away) their own bespoke gin. The distillery complex also has its own cocktail bar and brasserie.
Beefeater Gin, London
Today Beefeater is the only international premium gin to still be distilled in London. Beefeater's history can be traced back to 1862, when James Burrough bought the Cale Street-based Chelsea distillery for the princely sum of £400 and started to produce his own distinctive style of gin a year later. Production shifted to the present distillery location in Kennington in 1958. The method of steeping and distilling devised by Burrough in the 1860's, along with the secret recipe he created, remains virtually unchanged.
Housed in an Edwardian building with a 1950's extension, the Beefeater Distillery features original Victorian pot stills and a botanical room, where the fresh ingredients are stored. Opened in 2014, an adjoining multi-million pound visitor centre tells the story of gin and its role in the history and evolution of London, as well as giving visitors the chance to view the production process. Tours set off every 30 minutes and adult tickets cost £12 (less 10% for online bookings).
Talisker, Isle of Skye
For whisky enthusiasts, no visit to the Isle of Skye would be complete without a pilgrimage to Talisker. Dating back to 1830, Talisker is one of only two whisky distilleries on the Isle of Skye. Its five copper stills boast a stunning location on the shores of Loch Harport in the village of Carbost, on the beautiful Minginish Peninsula.
Talisker is one of the world's most respected whiskies, and has been for a very long time. Robert Louis Stevenson regaled its virtues in 1880, and Talisker is one of James Bond's favorite nips. The malted barley used in production comes from Muir of Ord, while its sweet, distinctive flavour is infused with spicy, peaty smokiness.
Talisker tours range from the £8, 45-minute "classic" distillery tour, which includes a single tasting, through to a £35, 2-hour "tasting" tour, which includes a sampling of five whiskies. See website for opening times.
The Cotswolds Distillery, Warwickshire
Set in beautiful Warwickshire countryside, the newly opened Cotswolds Distillery is the first in the area and located less than 100 miles from London. Now making 150,000 bottles of gin per year, the distillery is also producing a whisky, currently maturing in casks and set to be released in 2017.
Designed with visitors in mind, The Cotswolds Distillery runs tours and tasting sessions on site, every day (except Sunday) at 1 pm. Guests are welcomed in the visitor centre before being taken on a 90-minute tour of the distillery, where they learn the art of crafting fine spirit. After the tour visitors can pick up a distillery exclusive or two at the on-site shop. Each £10 tour ticket includes spirit tasting and a redeemable £5 voucher (when spending over £25).
