A comparative tasting of Scotch whiskies across the five regions: Lowland, Highland, Speyside, Islay and Campbeltown. The defining Edinburgh ritual, with The Bow Bar's 400-plus single-malt list as the benchmark.
Scotch whisky has been distilled since 1494 when the Exchequer Rolls of the Scottish king record 'eight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor, by which to make aqua vitae'. The five-region classification became codified in the early 20th century with the Royal Commission on Whisky. Edinburgh's whisky bars (The Bow Bar, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) and The Scotch Whisky Experience on Castlehill offer comparative regional tastings.
5 editor picks for Scotch Whisky Flight in Edinburgh, ranked by editorial score. All Edinburgh signature dishes · Scotch Whisky Flight across every city.
The Bow Bar ★ 4.6
old-town · 80 West Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH
The Bow Bar on West Bow in Edinburgh Old Town, opened in the 1860s and refurbished in the 1990s as a classic Scottish pub, with 250 single malt whiskies.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society ★ 4.6
leith · The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6BZ
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in The Vaults on Giles Street in Leith, opened 1983, the world reference for single-cask whisky with a members bar and tasting.
Number One at The Balmoral ★ 4.4
new-town · The Balmoral Hotel, 1 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
Mark Donald's basement dining room inside The Balmoral hotel on Princes Street in Edinburgh, Michelin-starred from 2003 to 2024 and still running fine-dining.
Amber Restaurant and Whisky Bar ★ 4.3
old-town · 354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NE
Amber whisky bar and restaurant inside The Scotch Whisky Experience on Castlehill in Edinburgh, opened in 1988, a tasting bar pouring 470-plus single malts.
The Witchery by the Castle ★ 4.3
old-town · Boswell's Court, 352 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NF
James Thomson's medieval-tavern dining room at the top of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, opened 1979 inside Boswell's Court, the city's heritage-cuisine.