Sip advisor: Scotland’s best independent whisky shops
The Misty Bottle, Skye: Well worth the journey
Looking for that rare release or want to try a tutored tasting from a friendly expert? From epicurean emporiums to quirky independent retailers, Barley has scoured Scotland to find 10 shops you’ll want to track down on your next whisky pilgrimage. By Alba Chiara Di Bari
1. The Whisky Shop in Dufftown
A paradise for Speyside and Highland whiskies lovers, The Whisky Shop in Dufftown has been an institution since 2006, when Mike Lord – now Keeper of the Quaich – moved out of London to pursue his dram dreams. He, Vicky, and Kat welcome every Scotch fan with friendly chat and personal recommendations, helping them navigate the trove of over 400 single malts, including independent bottlings like Whisky of Voodoo, Berry’s, and Provenance. Travellers of the Speyside way will find a range of 5cl and 10cl miniatures and lots of insider information to best enjoy the area. Call in advance to book a tutored tasting.
What to buy: Berry Brothers & Rudd, Glen Elgin 2008, 14-year-old Single Cask Scotch Whisky, £83, Exclusive to The Whisky Shop
Website: www.whiskyshopdufftown.com / Tel. 0134 082 1097
2. A.D. Rattray, Ayrshire
If you are looking for experience and premium liquids, A.D. Rattray in Kirkoswald delivers in spades. With links to two blending dynasties – the Dewars and the Walkers – the 150-year-old grocery store, located less than an hour from Glasgow, stocks fine produce from the area and the rest of Scotland. Its shelves are a parure of exceptional and vintage single malts: the A.D. Rattray single cask bottlings, coming from the family reserve, are coveted all around the world. For that special celebration, treat yourself or your loved ones to a hand-filled bottle from an unrepeatable barrel, with a wax seal and a personalised hand-written message.
What to buy: A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Glenburgie 2010, 12-year-old Single Cask Scotch Whisky, £79
Website: shop.adrattray.com / Tel. 0165 576 0308
3. Loch Fyne Whiskies, Inveraray
A pilgrimage destination in the burgh of Inveraray, not only for its eye-catching selection of unusual single malts and blends lined floor to ceiling, but especially for the knowledge of the staff. Opened in 1993 – with a branch in Edinburgh since 2018 – The Loch Fyne bottles its own whisky blends, botanical gins, and liqueurs. The most sought-after release is The Living Cask 1795, a blended whisky matured with a solera method, now at its 14th batch. Expect a warm welcome from Hamish, the genial wooden-figured butler who guards the entrance.
What to buy: The Loch Fyne Ledaig 11-year-old 2023 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, £95
Website: www.lochfynewhiskies.com /Tel. 0149 930 2219
4. Whiski Rooms, Edinburgh
A must-stop on any trip to the capital, Whiski Rooms is a marvellous scotch hub on North Bank Street in the Old Town. Start in the award-winning restaurant, with an Ardberg-infused tasting menu featuring appetising Scottish produce paired with recommended drams. Savour more in the dedicated tasting room, offering daily whisky samplings and pairings with cheese and chocolate. Before leaving, visit the adjacent shop to grab a bottle from the the outstanding selection. From Scotch to Bourbons to world whiskies, take your pick from more than 100 bottles, including popular single malts and rarer editions, like the Duncan Taylor Octave Collection.
What to buy: Octave Aultmore 2008, 13-year-old Single Cask Scotch Whisky, £94.95, exclusive to Whiski Shop
Website: www.whiskirooms.co.uk /Tel. 0131 225 1532
5. Inverurie Whisky Shop, Inverurie
Awarded ‘Best 2022 Independent Retailer’ by Whisky Magazine, Inverurie Whisky Shop in Aberdeenshire quenches the thirst of those passionate for learning. Not only is the store stocked with independent bottlers like Chorlton Whisky and Mossburn, and rare releases from both popular and lesser-known distilleries around Scotland, but it also offers courses and tours. You can deepen your expertise with a masterclass from the Highland Whisky Academy, choosing between one and five day programmes featuring Highlands and Speyside distilleries and a cooperage. Or explore Scotland’s northeast with Whisky Tours, building unforgettable memories with your family and your favourite scotch.
What to buy: Murray McDavid Auchroisk 2012, Speyside Single Malt Whisky, £75, exclusive to Inverurie Whisky Shop
Website: www.inveruriewhiskyshop.com / Tel. 0146 762 2412
6. Luvians, Cupar
Few things go better with whisky than home-made ice-cream, and not many places in Scotland offer this tantalising pairing, so if you are in Fife, be sure to visit Luvians to give it a try. Opened in Cupar in 1981 by the Fusaro family, it’s a place for enjoying good food, exceptional drinks and amenable company. Luvians stores over 1,000 scotch whiskies, 24 award-winning flavours of ice-cream, Cuban cigars, international wines, and Italian and a Scottish delicatessen. Come for the bottles, stay for the tastings: masterclasses are offered every month and free samplings every week. The St Andrews branch is a treat too, featuring over 400 mouth-watering single malts and delicious sundaes.
What to buy: Luvians Grand Dram Class of 2023 Glentauchers 11-year-old Speyside Single Malt Whisky, £63
Website: www.luvians.com / Tel. 0133 465 4820
7. Callander Drinks Company, Callander
Callander Drinks Company was born in 2020 from the curious minds of spirits geeks Rachel, Jen, Gregor and Ramone, and today is a tempting one-stop shop for craft drinks. The shop stocks more than 1,000 products from Scotland and around the world, including whiskies, gins, tequilas, beers, rums, and even soft drinks and mixers for cocktails. They love sharing their stories and recommending the perfect whisky so try and book one of their in-store tutored tastings, or else follow Rachel and Jen’s whisky adventures at The Grail YouTube channel.
What to buy: Deanston 15-year-old Tequila cask Highland Single Malt, £32
Website: callanderdrinkscompany.co.uk / Tel. 0187 733 1164
8. CASC Nation, Aberdeen
A refreshingly modern and hipsterish take on the traditional Cuban cigar store in the unlikely setting of Aberdeen’s Merchant Quarter, CASC Nation is an independent retailer of cigars, craft ales, scotch whiskies and artisanal coffees. In the bar you can pair limited released whiskies with Havana, New World, or flavoured cigars, savour a quality brewed syphon coffee, or choose from 28 draught beers rotating every week as well as 150 craft bottles and cans. If you enjoyed something you tasted, drop into the shop to snatch a bottle or a box to take home.
What to buy: Nc’Nean Huntress 2023 Woodland Candy, Single Malt Scotch Whisky, £87.50
Website: www.cascnation.com / Tel. 0122 482 2222
9. The Misty Bottle, Skye
One of the most remote whisky shops in Scotland is also one of the cutest and occupies the red-roofed Old Post Office of Breakish, Isle of Skye. With a red telephone box and a bottle-green delivery van outside, The Misty Bottle is an independent boutique store with a treasure of single malts from all corners of Scotland, local gins, and international wines. Spirits fans can taste the liquids at dedicated gin and whisky tastings, while beer lovers will find a vast array of ales from Skye and Dun Breweries, and the opportunity to order a draught pint to go.
What to buy: Torabhaig Allt Gleann, Highland Single Malt Whisky, £58
Website: themistybottle.co.uk /Tel. 0147 182 0348
10. Highland Whisky Shop, Inverness
Distilled from the imagination of whisky entrepreneur Ferit Gur during lockdown and opened in 2021, Highland Whisky Shop is the latest addition to the bustling High Street in Inverness. Set-up with the aim of creating a meaningful bond with local distilleries, it focuses on harder-to-find Highland and Speyside malts like AnCnoc, Cu Bocan, Tomatin, and Nc’Nean. You can try before you buy by ordering one of the themed flights available in store. Or dive deeper into the whisky world with a bespoke distillery tour, offered by the knowledgeable shop owner in collaboration with Alba Whisky Travel. The perfect starting point for your next Highland holiday.
What to buy: anCnock Peaty Rascan Highland Single Malt, £99.95
Website: highlandwhiskyshop.co.uk / Tel. 0146 359 2055
