A distillery you can actually see. Port of Leith’s visitor experience is built around a striking vertical design, and the tour turns that architecture into part of the lesson. I like that you get a proper guided tasting (not just a pour-and-go) and that you leave with your own miniature bottle of New Make to remember it.

There’s one key catch to plan around: the included session is the tour and tasting, but bar access costs extra. And because this is a newer distillery, this experience is focused on the spirits it makes now (new make, port, sherry, Table Whisky), not on whisky from their own released range.

Key highlights to clock before you go

• World’s tallest distillery concept: the vertical layout helps you understand how production flows through the building.
• Your own New Make bottle to take home: you fill a small miniature bottle during the experience.
• QC Lab tasting: you sit down and work through the production and maturation story while sampling.
• A real Scotch whisky education: you learn how components and stages matter, not just how to drink.
• Small group size (max 20): the pace stays human and questions are easier to handle.
• Two Edinburgh whisky fans’ origin story: you’ll hear how this project went from dreaming to running the operation.

A vertical distillery tour you’ll remember

Most whisky tours are basically, a corridor with a few steps and a lot of pointing. This one starts with a different kind of wow: the vertical distillery design. The building feels like it’s built to teach you, because the process and equipment sit in a tall, stacked layout. You’re not just looking at machinery; you’re seeing how production can move upward and through different stages.

I also like the way the tour frames the brand. You’ll hear the story of two Edinburgh whisky fans and how their idea turned into operating the world’s tallest distillery. That’s useful context, because it stops the visit from feeling like a generic factory tour.

Price and what you really get for the money

The tour and tasting runs about £30 per adult (18+) (priced around $41.61), and it lasts roughly 90 minutes. That fee covers the entrance for the tour and tasting session, not the bar.

Here’s the value angle: you’re paying for guided structure. You’ll walk through the facility, then sit for a tasting that takes you through the production and maturation process. On top of that, you fill your own miniature bottle of New Make to keep. For me, that turns the experience from entertainment into something you can reference later when you’re comparing Scotch-style flavors at home.

What’s not included matters. If you want cocktails, extra pours, or anything beyond the scheduled tasting, you’ll need to book distillery bar access separately.

Getting to Whisky Quay and how the visit runs

Meet at Whisky Quay, 11 Whisky Quay, Leith, Edinburgh (EH6 6FH). The good news is you’re in an area with near public transportation, so you’re not forced into a long taxi ride just to start the tour.

Tours run in English, and sessions run from late-morning into the evening. Plan to arrive a few minutes early so you can get your bearings. The tour ends back at the meeting point, which keeps your day tidy.

Group size is capped at 20 travelers, which helps a lot. You get the benefit of a group pace without feeling like you’re trapped in a mass cattle line.

What happens during the 90-minute tour

The experience is organized like a guided production walk, followed by a tasting sequence. The pace feels built for first-timers, even if you know almost nothing about whisky production.

Stop 1: Port of Leith Distillery

You start with the distillery itself—this is where the vertical design becomes more than a photo op. You’ll look at the architecture, then connect what you see to what it means for making spirit at scale.

You bottle your own New Make spirit

A standout moment is when you fill a miniature bottle of New Make spirit. This isn’t a gimmick bottle handed to you at the end. It’s part of the process the guide walks you through, so you understand what you’re taking home.

If you like making souvenirs that actually relate to what you learned, this is one of the better setups in the Edinburgh area.

QC Lab tasting: sit down and learn through samples

The tour’s tasting happens as you take a seat in the QC Lab. That matters. It’s easier to focus, because you’re not trying to study the building while also tasting. In the QC Lab, the guide takes you through the production and maturation story, then you taste your way through multiple spirit styles.

The tasting lineup: New Make, port, sherry, and Table Whisky

This isn’t just one “here’s a dram” pour. The guided tasting takes you through a lineup that includes:

• New Make spirits
• Port
• Sherry
• Table Whisky

That variety is exactly what makes the experience worthwhile. If you only drink whisky in a bar, it’s easy to think all flavor differences come from aging and strength. Here, you’re tasting across spirit types that connect to how flavor develops through different maturation pathways.

A realistic note: since this is a newer distillery, you should not expect their own released whisky range as part of the tasting. You’re tasting the spirits and styles they do offer within the guided session.

The Scotch whisky lesson you get without the guesswork

One of the best parts of this tour is that it’s built to teach, not just entertain. You hear the story behind the project, then you learn how spirit moves from production into different stages that influence what ends up in your glass.

You’ll also pick up the practical side of whisky production—how components behave, why different samples taste different, and how maturation affects the end character. The effect is simple: you’ll understand what you’re drinking more quickly once you’ve tasted the range and heard the process explanation.

For whisky geeks, this helps you connect jargon to real flavor. For absolute beginners, it prevents the usual confusion of trying to memorize terms while you’re already thirsty.

Bar access: plan for extra spending if you want more

The guided tasting is included, but entry to the distillery bar is at your own expense. That means you should decide ahead of time what kind of evening you want.

If you’re happy with the scheduled tasting and a souvenir bottle, you can treat the bar as optional. If you want to linger, bring cash or card for additional pours, because the tour fee alone won’t cover that.

Also, because this distillery is newer and still finding its product rhythm, the bar is a place where you can explore more directly—but don’t expect the same thing as a fully mature whisky lineup built around years of releases.

Footwear rules and health notes that actually matter

You’re touring a production facility with open grate flooring. There are plated walkways, but the rules are clear: wear sensible footwear. High heels, cleated cycling shoes, and open-toe shoes aren’t permitted.

This is one of those “small detail” issues that can ruin a day if you ignore it. If you’re in Edinburgh on foot, you’ll feel better going with closed-toe walking shoes you don’t mind getting scuffed.

Health and comfort notes are also part of the picture. The distillery advises caution if you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, or balance impairment.

And age rules are strict for safety. Babies and children under 7 aren’t permitted. If you’re bringing kids aged 7–17, they can go at a reduced price, but they must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

Service animals are allowed.

Language support and how to not slow down the group

Tours are conducted in English. Scripts are available in multiple languages (printed & QR scripts in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese Mandarin, and Polish; printed scripts only), and there are formats for Braille and large print. You’ll also be asked not to translate during the public tour, which keeps the flow steady for everyone.

If you need printed support, bring your reading glasses and rely on the provided materials rather than trying to translate in real time.

Who should book this tour?

This fits best if you want:

• A structured introduction to whisky production
• A tour where the architecture has a purpose, not just decoration
• A guided tasting with multiple spirit styles
• A souvenir that’s connected to what you learned (your New Make miniature bottle)

It may be less satisfying if your main goal is tasting only traditional aged Scotch whisky from their own releases. This visit is aimed more at production education and the spirits offered during the guided session.

If you’re traveling with friends who disagree on whether they want a full tour or just a quick drink, this can be a compromise. You get the tour story plus a tasting, and then everyone can choose whether to head to the bar on their own.

Should you book the Port of Leith Distillery Tour and Tasting?

Yes—with a couple smart expectations.

Book it if you like hands-on learning, you want your tasting to connect to production stages, and you’re excited by the vertical distillery design. The QC Lab tasting setup and the fact you fill a miniature New Make bottle make it feel like you did something real, not just bought a drink.

Consider skipping or adjusting expectations if you’re mainly chasing their own released whisky. This tour focuses on the spirits included in the guided session, and bar add-ons come separately. Also be ready for the production-floor environment: closed-toe shoes and comfort with a working facility are part of the deal.

If that sounds like your kind of Edinburgh afternoon or early evening, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the Port of Leith Distillery Tour and Tasting?

It runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What is included in the tour price?

The price covers entrance for the Tour & Tasting only, including the guided tasting and your miniature bottle of New Make spirit. Access to the distillery bar is not included.

What spirits are tasted during the guided session?

The tasting includes New Make spirits, port, sherry, and Table Whisky.

Can children or babies attend?

Babies and children under 7 years old are not permitted. Children aged 7–17 can join at a reduced price and must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

What should I wear since it’s in a production facility?

Wear sensible, closed-toe footwear. High heels, open-toe shoes, and cleated cycling shoes aren’t permitted. The facility has plated walkways but also open grate flooring.

Is there a free cancellation window?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

Citron Tasting and Distillery 1-Hour Guided Tour in Naxos1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands TourInverness: Uile-bheist Distillery & Brewery Tour & TastingInvergordon Cruise Excursion – Castle ,Whisky and History Tour