History Of Scotish Whisky

Like a wee dram? Then the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre may be just up your street the centre is easy to find considering that it is next door to the famous Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile.

Take a tour and learn the difference between Malt, Grain and Blended Whisky, see how that each of the different whiskies are made and travel back in time and see how the whisky producers used to live.

Best of all at the end of the tour you get to sample some of the best whisky ever produced as you enjoy a tutored tasting of a Scotch Whisky and discover how Scotland’s majestic scenery influences the flavour and character of the whiskies.

The tour will take you on a journey, showing you the different regions in Scotland where whisky is produced, it will show you how the differing landscapes change the flavor of the whiskies and the different ways that each region makes the water of life.

The secrets are all revealed during the tour including:

What gives Scotch Whisky its distinctive flavour and character?

What makes Scotch Whisky unique to Scotland?

How the ingredients and production contribute to the final flavour.

A new experience for 2009 includes fantastic features to keep the children entertained. Kids can follow their own special guide “Peat” the cat and discover lots of fun facts from barley and barrels to casks and cats.

The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre is an Ideal day out for all of the family.

As your tour continues you can take a break and visit the Amber restaurant situated inside the Heritage centre,here you can have traditional scotish fayre, accompanied by a choice of over 300 different types of Whisky, or if you prefer a coffee then feel free.

The Menu

The Bothy

A choice of two soups of the day, served with a crusty roll £2.80 - light

The Fishery

Mussels with Islay whisky and spring onion sauce £7.50 - Substantial Trout fillet with new potato salad, whisky mustard and honey dressing £6.50 - Substantial Smoked Scottish salmon and prawn with lemon dressing £5.95 - light but filling Fillet of Scottish salmon with roasted leeks in a light cream sauce £8.50 - Substantial

The Vegetable Garden

Roasted shallot and Howgate brie tart with red onion marmalade and salad £4.25 - light but filling Roasted butternut squash with wild mushroom and garlic sauce £5.95 - Substantial Warm goats’ cheese on toasted herb bread with salad £4.25 - light but filling Vegetarian haggis with turnip and potato mash, served with a whisky sauce £7.50 - Substantial

The Meat Larder

Beef and wild mushroom casserole with puff pastry £10.95 - Substantial Haggis with turnip and potato mash, served with a whisky sauce £7.50 - Substantial Sausage with onion gravy and mashed potato £8.00 - Substantial

The Bread Larder

Choose from a selection of sandwiches available on crusty brown or white bread, served with salad Roast ham with rhubarb chutney £4.10 - light Cheese with tomato chutney (choose from gruth dhu, applewood smoked cheddar or howgate brie) £4.10 - light Smoked Scottish salmon and cream cheese £5.10 - light Bacon with melted cheddar cheese £4.75 - light Egg mayonnaise with chives £3.75 - light

Soup and half a sandwich (excludes smoked salmon) £4.95 - light

A selection of Scottish cheeses with oatcakes £6.50 - light but filling

Scottish tapas £7.50 - light Tapas with a glass of wine or a whisky £9.50 - light.

Of course you could just pop in for a snack and a cuppa served by friendly and professional staff.

The Scotch Whisky Heritage centre also offers visitors the chance to spend a whole day learning about the world of Scotch Whisky, where you can gain a certificate of expertise that is recognised by the industry.

It is a hands on course taking you through :

Malt & Grain whisky production The Art of Blending Scotch v The Best of the Rest History & Development Sensory Perception Comparative Tasting International Markets Selling & Serving Whisky matching for customers Exam

There is an exam at the end of the course which lasts around forty minutes.

The course is perfect for Anyone who sells and serves Scotch Whisky,Enthusiasts, or anyone who works in the Hospitality Industry

The course costs £150 which is equivalent to around $220 US.