Our journey begins in the heart of Scottish distilling - the Speyside region, where a relatively small area has the highest density of distilleries in all of Scotland. It is here that some of the world's most highly regarded single malts are made, characterized by mellowness, fruity notes and often a finish with a hint of smoke. The first stop on our tour is Speyside Distillery, located in the picturesque Tromie River Valley. This small distillery, in operation since 1990, impresses not only with its whiskey, but also with its charming surroundings. Its buildings, built in a traditional style, fit perfectly into the landscape of the Scottish highlands. According to visitor reviews, a tour of Speyside Distillery is an unforgettable experience. As one visitor recalls: 'Such a wonderful, personalized whisky tasting experience! The history of the place dates back to 1770, when a whisky distiller bought a large plot of land and built a mill on the site. Visitors highlight the authenticity and traditional production methods used at the distillery. Next on the map is the legendary Strathisla Distillery, considered one of the oldest and most beautiful distilleries in Scotland. Founded in 1786, Strathisla is not only a producer of excellent single malt whisky, but also the heart of the Chivas Regal blend. A visit to this distillery is a true trip back in time. As one visitor notes: 'A place worth recommending to anyone who loves the best Whisky. A wonderful place love you.' Strathisla offers a variety of tours, including the fascinating 'Mix Your Own Bottle' experience, which allows guests to create their own unique blend of whisky. Our Speyside tour wouldn't be complete without a visit to Cragganmore Distillery. Founded in 1869 by John Smith, considered one of the most accomplished distillers of his time, Cragganmore is renowned for producing complex and elegant whisky. Situated on a picturesque hill overlooking the River Spey, the distillery offers visitors an extraordinary experience. As one visitor recalls: 'I booked a tour for only £20. This was done by the employee Carrie. Very friendly and informative. The tour lasted over an hour and included tasting three of their own whiskeys.'' Cragganmore is notable for not having a summer 'quiet season,' allowing visitors to observe the ongoing distillation process year-round. The Speyside region is not only the birthplace of many fine whiskies, but also a land of extraordinary beauty. Picturesque valleys, crystal-clear rivers and vast moors create the perfect backdrop for tasting the golden liquor. Each distillery visited offers unique experiences, from traditional tours to interactive workshops to explore the secrets of whiskey production. Whether you're a novice enthusiast or a seasoned connoisseur, Speyside is sure to offer something you'll remember for a long time.

Leaving the picturesque Speyside region, our journey takes us to Campbeltown, a small town on the Kintyre peninsula that once held the title of 'whisky capital of the world'. Although only three operating distilleries remain here today, each is a true jewel in the crown of Scottish distilling. The first stop is Glen Scotia, one of the oldest operating distilleries in Scotland, founded in 1832. This small but characterful distillery impresses with its traditional approach to whisky production. As one visitor notes: 'The store is small, but there are plenty of things to buy for the Glen Scotia fan. The staff is friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. They have tours available. Glen Scotia is famous for producing whisky with a distinct, slightly salty character, which is typical of the Campbeltown region. The distillery offers a variety of tours where you can not only learn about the production process, but also taste unique editions not available anywhere else. The next point on our tour is Glengyle Distillery, the youngest of Campbeltown's distilleries, which resumed production in 2004 after a hiatus of more than 80 years. Despite its short history, Glengyle has quickly gained recognition among whiskey lovers around the world. The distillery produces whisky under the Kilkerran brand, a reference to the Gaelic name Campbeltown. As one visitor notes: 'The Glengyle Distillery, home of Kilkerran whisky, is the younger sister of Springbank, but definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.' Tours of Glengyle are particularly interesting because of the opportunity to see how traditional production methods combine with modern technology. Campbeltown, despite its small size, offers an extraordinary experience for whiskey lovers. Its unique location on the coast of the Kintyre Peninsula gives the whiskies produced here a distinctive, slightly salty aftertaste that sets them apart from other Scottish single malts. A visit to these distilleries is not only an opportunity to taste exceptional spirits, but also a chance to learn about the fascinating history of the region, which was once the true capital of whisky. It is worth noting the differences between the distilleries in Campbeltown and those we visited earlier in Speyside. While whiskies from Speyside tend to be characterized by mellowness and fruity notes, Campbeltown's spirits are more expressive, with noticeable marine notes and often a slight smokiness. This is an excellent opportunity to compare and appreciate the diversity of Scotch whisky. In addition, the small size of the Campbeltown distillery makes visits here more intimate and personal than at some of the larger Speyside distilleries. It's an ideal opportunity to make direct contact with master distillers and explore the secrets of their craft. Campbeltown, though often overlooked on whiskey tours, is a fascinating stop for any whiskey lover. It's a place where history meets the present, and traditional production methods are meticulously cultivated, resulting in whiskies of extraordinary character and depth.

The last, but certainly not least, stop on our peaty whisky itinerary is the legendary island of Islay. This is the place where nature fully shapes the character of the spirits produced here, giving them a unique, intensely smoky and maritime profile. Called the 'Queen of the Hebrides,' Islay is home to some of the world's most prized and distinctive whiskies. Our tour of Islay begins with a visit to the Laphroaig distillery, founded in 1815. This iconic distillery is famous for producing intensely peaty whiskeys that are beloved by lovers of strong, smoky flavors. As one visitor notes: 'Of course, the most important thing is the whisky, but where, with whom and how it is consumed is also important, and sometimes even more important. A beautiful place, great people and delicious whisky. Laphroaig offers a variety of tours, including the unique 'Uisge' experience, which allows guests to learn about the entire whisky-making process from peat harvest to bottling. The next stop is the Ardbeg distillery, which has been producing some of the world's most prized peated whiskies since 1815. Ardbeg is distinguished not only by the intense, smoky character of its spirits, but also by its unusual atmosphere. As one visitor recalls: 'Ardbeg was an amazing distillery and one of the best aspects of our visit to Scotland. The grounds were stunningly gorgeous, with a large gift store and a food truck on site. The distillery offers fascinating tours where you can not only learn about the production process, but also taste rare and limited edition whiskeys. We shouldn't miss a visit to the Caol Ila distillery, located on the northeast coast of the island. Although less well-known than its neighbors, Caol Ila produces whiskies with a unique character, combining peaty smokiness with delicate maritime notes. As one visitor notes: 'Caol Ila is another distillery on Islay, located right in the port of Askaig. In addition to producing excellent 'smoky' single malts, it is recognized as the only whisky from Islay to be included in Johnnie Walker blends, giving them a distinctive smoky flavor. A visit to Caol Ila is an opportunity to enjoy spectacular views of the Sound of Islay and the neighboring island of Jura. Our tour of Islay would not be complete without a visit to the Bowmore distillery, the oldest legal distillery on the island, operating continuously since 1779. Bowmore is renowned for producing balanced whiskies that combine peaty smokiness with marine and fruity notes. As one visitor recalls: 'The trip to Bowmore was really enjoyable. Evie is a great guide and was really knowledgeable about the entire whiskey making process and the history of Bowmore. The distillery offers a unique tour experience, including the opportunity to see a traditional malt house where the barley is hand-turned. We'll conclude our tour with a visit to the Kilchoman distillery, the youngest on the island, established in 2005. Kilchoman has the distinction of being one of the few distilleries in Scotland that performs the entire production process on site, from barley growing to bottling. As one visitor notes: 'Kilchoman was an amazing visit to the distillery. We didn't get a tour, but we had the opportunity to visit the welcome area and the tasting bar. All the liquors we tasted were delicious and the service was top-notch. A visit to Kilchoman is a great opportunity to see how traditional whisky-making methods are adapted in a modern context. Islay is not only a paradise for peated whisky lovers, but also a place of extraordinary beauty. Wild beaches, picturesque cliffs and vast peat bogs create a unique environment that directly influences the character of the spirits produced here. Each distillery visited offers unique experiences, from traditional tours to workshops on pairing whiskey with local delicacies. Whether you're a fan of intensely peaty flavors or you're just getting started with Islay whisky, this island is sure to leave an indelible impression and enrich your knowledge of the world of Scotch whisky.