Edinburgh Whisky Week 2025: A Dram Lover’s Guide to the City’s Best Sips
Whisky Week 2025 is here, and Edinburgh’s cobbled streets are calling all dram devotees. Whether you’re a seasoned sipper or just whisky-curious, this curated trail takes you from historic pubs to modern distilleries, with tasting notes and cheeky detours along the way. Expect smoky pours, sweet surprises, and a route that blends local charm with liquid gold. Lace up your boots, charge your palate, and let’s raise a glass to Scotland’s favourite spirit.
Let’s be honest, whisky festivals are everywhere these days. Blink and you’ll find another one popping up in some corner of Scotland. Not that I’m complaining! I adore whisky, and if the calendar’s bursting with boozy celebrations, I say pour me another dram!
In recent years, we’ve seen the rise of week-long tipple-fests like Cocktail Week, sweeping through cities across Scotland and the UK. Now, the latest dram-drenched delight heading our way is Whisky Week - currently making waves in Aberdeen, with Edinburgh stepping up in early September before Glasgow gets its turn in November.
So, what’s the craic with Whisky Week?
It’s a city-wide celebration where each participating bar is paired with a unique distillery. Your wristband unlocks a special menu at every venue, featuring drams priced at £5 or less, plus rare pours, whisky cocktails, and highballs. Think of it as your golden ticket to explore Edinburgh’s whisky scene without breaking the bank.
This September, 23 bars across the city are joining the party, they are:
Albanach, Barony Bar, Bennets Bar, Black Cat, Blue Blazer, Copper Still, Fierce Beer, Ibis Styles St Andrew Square, Port of Leith Distillery Bar, Teuchters Bar & Bunker, Teuchters Landing, The Auld Hundred, The Black Bull, The Bow Bar, The Bowlers Rest, The False Widow, The Mother Superior, The Powder Room, The Queens Arms, The Royal Dick, Windsor Bar, Whiski Bar & Whiski Rooms.
And the distilleries? A dream lineup:
Aberfeldy, anCnoc, Benromach, Bonnington, Bruichladdich, Cask Masters, Deanston, Fettercairn, Fragrant Drops, Holyrood, J.G. Thomson, James Eadie, Jura, Kingsbarns, Linkwood, Lochlea, Melrose Drover, Old Pulteney, Port of Leith Distillery, Rasaay, Teeling Whiskey, Whisky of Voodoo, WhiskyHeroes.
Wristbands are £6 (early bird) or £9, and they come with a cocktail booklet packed with everything you need to know. Ideal for whisky newbies or those just looking for a fun day out with pals. Inside, you’ll find tasting tips, easy-to-understand notes (none of that “ashtray with a hint of leather” nonsense), and wee tick boxes to rate your drams and remember your favourites.
Whether you’re just starting your whisky journey or you’re a seasoned sipper, Whisky Week is a brilliant way to discover new flavours, meet fellow enthusiasts, and soak up the spirit of Scotland’s national drink. And if you’re visiting our bonnie capital, it’s the perfect excuse to raise a glass and dive into the water of life -Scotch!
So let’s lift our glasses high and belt out a hearty “Slàinte!” like we mean it.
Edinburgh Whisky Week 2025: Your Ultimate Tasting Trail
I took myself on a wee whisky wander visiting five brilliant bars, all part of the Whisky Week lineup. It’s a cracking route through the heart of Edinburgh, perfect for racking up your steps while sipping drams along the Royal Mile and Rose Street. A stroll, a swig, and a celebration of Scotland’s finest. What more could you ask for?
Start on the Royal Mile: Albanach & Whiski Rooms
Kick things off at Whiski Bar, nestled at 119 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SG, right in the heart of the Royal Mile. Their featured dram is the 12-year-old anCnoc, a Highland single malt that’s yours for just £5. Expect a nose of soft honey and citrus, followed by a smooth sip bursting with green apple, vanilla, and a whisper of spice. It’slight, refreshing, and deceptively complex.
Next, make your way to The Albanach, located at 197 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1PE, a stone’s throw from the Castle and steeped in Highland hospitality. Their featured pour is the Bonnington Peated Muscat Matured, yours for just £4.70. This dram greets you with aromas of bonfire smoke, fresh red grapes, and a touch of sea breeze, followed by rich peat and a creamy hit of strawberry cheesecake on the palate. It’s bold, quirky, and unmistakably Lowland.
When you leave The Albanach, you could pop across the road to The Copper Still for a dram of Old Pulteney 12 Year Old, or, if you're feeling adventurous, continue your stroll up the Royal Mile and down the Mound (you’re heading that way anyway), and swing by the Whiski Rooms for a pour of Benromach 10 Year Old.
Rose Street Ramble: Fierce Beer & The Auld Hundred
At the bottom of the Mound, turn left onto Princes Street, then right onto North Castle Street, and finally left onto Rose Street. Here you’ll find Fierce Beer, located at 167 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 4LS, a lively craft bar with a local twist.
They’re pouring three whiskies from Holyrood Distillery, each with its own character:
Ambir for £5.00: Sweet and creamy with notes of caramel fudge, Scottish tablet, and a whisper of vanilla. A dessert dram if ever there was one.
Pitch for £6.50: Rich and nutty, offering cacao, blackcurrant, and a hint of spicy green pepper. Think fruit and nut bar with a cheeky kick.
Embra for £7.00: Lightly peated and beautifully balanced, with lemon zest, dark chocolate mousse, and earthy Highland smoke. A smoky cuddle in a glass.
Continue your wander back along Rose Street and duck into one of Edinburgh’s most characterful pubs, The Auld Hundred, located at 100 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2NN. It’s a snug spot with live music, hearty scran, and a cracking whisky list.
Their tipple comes from one of my favourite distilleries, Isle of Raasay and they’re pouring two beauties: Isle of Raasay Single Malt for £5.00 which is smoky, fruity and minerally. A lightly peated dram with whispers of dark berries and Hebridean charm; and the Isle of Raasay Woodford Rye Cask for £7.80 which is spicy, buttery and peppery. A bold single cask release matured in American rye barrels from Woodford Reserve.
Final Sips at St Andrew Square at Ibis Styles
Lastly, continue your meander along Rose Street or swing up onto George Street, heading toward the elegant curve of St Andrew Square. Here you’ll pop into the Ibis Styles Bar, tucked inside 19 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 1AU, a quirky, central spot with a surprisingly good whisky lineup.
They’re pouring three expressions from J.G. Thomson (part of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society), each at a very friendly £4.00: Choose from Sweet – fudge, almond, cinnamon OR Rich – sherry, fig, nutmeg OR Smoky – ash, honeycomb, clove
Bonus Drams in Leith
It’s a cracking final stop if you’re winding down, but if your dram stamina’s still strong, hop across the square and catch the tram down Leith Walk for a trio of spirited gems:
The False Widow (159 Constitution Street, EH6 7AD): Pouring Teeling Whiskey, a smooth Irish number with tropical fruit and spice.
Teuchters Landing (1C Dock Place, EH6 6LU): Try the Jura Rum Cask, a coastal malt with molasses, banana, and sea spray.
Port of Leith Distillery Bar (11 Whisky Quay, EH6 6HB): On the top floor with panoramic views, they serve three of their own whiskies, each showcasing Edinburgh’s new-wave distilling flair.
From the Royal Mile to Rose Street, this whisky trail proves that Edinburgh is a dram-lover’s playground. Whether you end your night at the Ibis Styles Bar or hop the tram to Teuchters Landing, each stop offers a sip of something special. Ready to plan your own Whisky Week wander? Share your favourite finds, tag your tastings, and let the spirit of Edinburgh guide your glass.
Edinburgh Whisky Week runs for 10 days from the 4-14 September. Wrist bands can be purchased via their website - www.whiskyweek.co.uk/edinburgh/
Slàinte mhath!
TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.
Adele is a writer, reviewer and judge living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events), is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food, Scottish Bakers, Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards and a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards. Should you wish to work with, invite or collaborate with TartanSpoon, please email tartanspoon@yahoo.co.uk
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