Whisky Tours · HISTORICAL TOURS

15 Whisky History Tours Worth the Ticket

24 tours  ·  from $17 a head

Good whisky history tours sell out weeks ahead and the small-group ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Edinburgh: Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling - Four single malts, four Scottish styles
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Edinburgh: Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling

1.Edinburgh: Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,451 reviews · 2 hours · from $24Our pick

Meet your English-speaking guide at Hot Toddy on Jeffrey Street, near the Royal Mile, for two hours of whisky, folklore, and Scottish history. You will sample four single malts from Scotland’s main whisky regions, with alternatives available if whisky is not your drink. Guides may include Ben, Kofi, Angus, or Eleanor.

“Amazing. Great way to learn how to taste whisky. And the guide was so friendly and really good at story telling. I was hooked for the full 2 hours haha. She also made sure everyone was apart of the coversation which was very nice. :)”

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Toronto: Distillery District Historic Walking Tour - Meeting Go Tours Canada at 11 Gristmill Lane
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Toronto: Distillery District Historic Walking Tour

2.Toronto: Distillery District Historic Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 267 reviews · 1 hour · from $20

Spend one hour with an English-speaking guide such as Eric, Nicole, Devin, or Tom in Toronto’s Distillery District. Expect Victorian industrial buildings, cobblestone lanes, stories of Gooderham & Worts, early Toronto, and occasional access to interiors not open to the public. This is a history walk, not a tasting tour.

“A very interesting and informative tour of a fascinating are of Toronto.”

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Bourbon History Tour - A private cruise with local stories
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Bourbon History Tour

3.Bourbon History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $45Top rated

Join Kentucky River Tours at 4 p.m. for a 90-minute private boat ride from Frankfort. Captain Nathan, and sometimes Captain Allison, share stories of bourbon, Prohibition, the river, and Daniel Boone. Bottled water, soda, and Ale-8-One are provided, but alcohol is not served.

“Friendly, and very knowledgeable we learned something new . now want to do the other tours that are longer and cost more”

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San Francisco Whiskey Cocktail Class: Views and City History - Getting to Gold Bar on Treasure Island
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San Francisco Whiskey Cocktail Class: Views and City History

4.San Francisco Whiskey Cocktail Class: Views and City History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 206 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $69

At Gold Bar Whiskey Distillery on Treasure Island, you taste three whiskies, then make a Whiskey Sour, Old Fashioned, and Paper Plane with a dedicated bartender such as Nick, Will, Weston, or Johnny. Expect an 80-minute class, city views, local history, and a maximum of eight people.

“Omg the place is really beautiful , with exceptional views of the city of course . Will was amazing ! He was funny and knowledgeable with the history and answered all our questions . I was nervous but he made us all feel at ease . We had a blast tasting the whiskey and making the drinks ! I made a bomb whiskey sour .We will definitely be back ! Thank you again Will!”

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3 Hour Whiskey and History Tour - Starting with Irish whiskey at Nallen’s
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3 Hour Whiskey and History Tour

5.3 Hour Whiskey and History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 152 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

Spend three hours walking downtown Denver with guide Will, also known as Whiskey Dick, tasting Irish whiskey, Scotch, bourbon, and local spirits. Visit Nallen’s Irish Pub, Seven Grand at Dairy Block, and Mile High Spirits, where you’ll see how spirits are made. Small groups are limited to 10.

“Learning about the city while having a few drinks. Sharing time with family and enjoying the walk through town.”

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Edinburgh: Small-Group History of Whisky Tour with Tasting - The Old Town walk, from royal medicine to whisky trade
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Edinburgh: Small-Group History of Whisky Tour with Tasting

6.Edinburgh: Small-Group History of Whisky Tour with Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 138 reviews · 2 hours · from $47

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a Mercat Tours guide, tracing whisky’s links to smugglers, surgeons, and pioneers such as Andrew Usher Jr. Then taste four single malts from Speyside, Highland, Islay, and Lowland in candlelit Megget’s Cellar, with a Glencairn glass to keep.

“Great tour with lovely regional Scottish whiskys. Charles was informative and passionate about whisky, and we left with a greater understanding of whisky and its history.”

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Distillery District Food & History Tour in Lexington - What you may eat during the afternoon
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Distillery District Food & History Tour in Lexington

7.Distillery District Food & History Tour in Lexington

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

Spend three hours with guides such as Kay, Kaylee, or Hayley in Lexington’s James E. Pepper Distillery District. Expect Kentucky food, bourbon, hard cider, beer, local history, and easy walking within one block. The small group is capped at 16 people.

“It was so fun! Kay was great and very informative. Lots of excellent food, drinks and conversation!!”

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Edinburgh: Historical Gems Tour with Whisky & Local Flavours - Meeting at Parliament Square and entering the Royal Mile
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Edinburgh Historical Gems Tour with Whisky & Local Flavours

8.Edinburgh Historical Gems Tour with Whisky & Local Flavours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 10 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Join guides such as Darcy or Katie for a two-hour walk from Mercat Cross to Holyrood Palace. Expect Royal Mile stories, tucked-away closes, a Harry Potter connection, Scottish tablet, haggis and a dram of whisky.

“Darcy was Great! She showed us lots of things that we would have missed! Next time we will take a JK Rowling tour!”

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Edinburgh: Historical Gems Tour with Whisky & Local Flavours - Meeting at Parliament Square and entering the Royal Mile
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Edinburgh: Historical Gems Tour with Whisky & Local Flavours

9.Edinburgh: Historical Gems Tour with Whisky & Local Flavours

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 46 reviews · 2 hours · from $53

Meet an English-speaking character guide at Caffè Nero in Parliament Square for a two-hour walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town. You’ll visit quiet closes, Outlander filming spots, and Canongate, then taste haggis, neeps and tatties with Glenlivet whisky, plus Scottish fudge.

“It was just me and my lovely guide on a rainy tour that took us through all the very quiet and peaceful little closes that branch off from the Royal Mile. It was full of fascinating info about all the art and architecture seen around the street. Also got some fudge while learning about the history of said fudge-makers. I really liked checking out the closes! Each one was different and distinct. Also kind of wild that you could just be a lemonade bottler as a career and still make rent. Thank you for the wonderful tour!”

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Saint Augustine: Bourbon History and Tasting Experience - Following bourbon from production to bottle
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Saint Augustine: Bourbon History and Tasting Experience

10.Saint Augustine: Bourbon History and Tasting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 45 reviews · 1 hour · from $37

Spend one hour at Saint Augustine Distillery learning how Florida bourbon is made, from grain and fermentation to aging. A Certified Bourbon Steward leads the tasting, explains how Florida’s climate shapes the spirit, and serves premium samples. You must be 21 or older, and each person needs a seat.

“Great experience learning about bourbon!! We even got to bottle our own “New Beginning” bourbon. Melody was so smart and good at explaining everything. THANK YOU!! Aka bottle 29 room 29 what’s the next sign!! Do it!!”

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Louisville: Private Guided Food, Bourbon & History Walking Tour - Bardstown Road, Cherokee Triangle, and the local feel
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Louisville: Private Guided Food, Bourbon & History Walking Tour

11.Louisville: Private Guided Food, Bourbon & History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $300

Spend about three hours with a private English-speaking guide, possibly including Laci, as you sample beer cheese, fried chicken, bourbon balls, Modjeska, and other Kentucky favorites. The experience links Louisville food, bourbon, Prohibition tales, Cave Hill Cemetery, Whiskey Row, NuLu, and Butchertown.

“Really great food tour. Enjoyed every stop, the signature cocktails, and the great storytelling by Laci. I would recommend!”

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Invergordon Cruise Excursion - Castle ,Whisky and History Tour - Struie viewpoint and the story behind the view
Castle & Whisky Day Trips, Cruises & Boat Tours, Historical Tours, Invergordon Whisky Tours, Scotland Whisky Tours, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours, Whisky & Whiskey Tours

Invergordon Cruise Excursion – Castle ,Whisky and History Tour

12.Invergordon Cruise Excursion – Castle ,Whisky and History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $212

From Invergordon, travel with a kilted local guide such as George, Alastair, Sara, or Tom to Dunrobin Castle, Struie viewpoint, Loch Fleet, Dornoch, and Balblair Distillery. Expect scenic stops, Highland stories, optional tasting, and a group of up to eight.

“Really enjoyed meeting George. The castle and falconry display were great. We enjoyed lunch at the castle as well. The stop at Clyneish distillery was fun. Afternoon attractions were a bit remote for us. But we had a good experience of the highlands and the heather”

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Barbados: St Nicholas Abbey Distillery, CTH Heritage Railway - The road from your hotel to Saint Andrew
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Barbados: St Nicholas Abbey Distillery, CTH Heritage Railway

13.Barbados: St Nicholas Abbey Distillery, CTH Heritage Railway

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 33 reviews · 4 hours · from $128

Spend four hours touring St Nicholas Abbey, sampling two small rum pours, and riding the Heritage Railway to Cherry Tree Hill. Your English-speaking driver adds island commentary on the road. Expect a scenic but bumpy journey, limited mobility access, and a steam train that may be replaced by diesel.

“Driver and guides very friendly and informative. Abbey very authentic (old cine film really good)”

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Polykala Distillery: 128 years of history & liqueur tasting. - The Tasting: Mastiha, Hazelnut, and Cherry
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Polykala Distillery: 128 years of history & liqueur tasting.

14.Polykala Distillery: 128 years of history & liqueur tasting.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · 30 to 40 minutes (approx.) · from $16Best value

Meet Nina or Rena at Polykala Distillery in central Athens for a 30 to 40-minute look at four generations of liqueur making, followed by tastings of mastiha, hazelnut, and cherry liqueurs. Your small group, limited to 10 people, also receives a complimentary 100ml bottle.

“It was fast and to the point and the liquor is delicious. The prices are great and the service was so friendly.”

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Lititz Whiskey and History Tour - The Lititz Historical Foundation and its two old homes
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Lititz Whiskey and History Tour

15.Lititz Whiskey and History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $25

Walk through Lititz’s Moravian past with guides such as Bob, Cheryl, Kevin, or Sheryl, then finish at Stoll and Wolfe Distillery for local whiskey history and samples. The private, English-language tour begins at 4 p.m. and costs $25 per person.

“The tour guide made the tour fun and informative. Very friendly staff. We knew some of the Lititz history but all of this was new knowledge or went into more depth. The whiskey tasting was a delight as we got a history lesson too, which I did not anticipate. This offered a great addition to the history tour. Highly recommend! Great early evening outing.”

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