About the Highland Whisky Academy

Experience romance, history & science

A fully interactive and immersive week you will never forget in the heart of whisky country.

Join us to learn and experience the complexities, romance, history and science behind Scotland's national drink in the company of respected whisky enthusiasts and guest speakers. Aimed at whisky lovers, bloggers and professionals from all over the world, we guarantee to broaden your horizons by immersing you in the wonderful traditions, heritage and flavours of the whiskies of Aberdeenshire and Speyside where we have unearthed the most amazing distilleries, characters and experiences.

GLEN GARIOCH DISTILLERY

What will you learn?

Enhance your own whisky tasting skills with the masters of the craft.

Scottish Water - How important water is to the whisky making and tasting process.
The Malt - The science behind the barley by talking directly to the men who grow it.
Nosing and Tasting - A highly skilled and in-depth look at our senses and how you can enhance your own experience of whisky.
Whisky Production - learn the processes of 5 different distilleries
Inside the Cask - behind the scenes at a Speyside cooperage.

Glen Garioch Distillery

What will you learn?

Enhance your own whisky tasting skills with the masters of the craft.

Scottish Water - how important water is to the whisky making and tasting process.
The Malt - the science behind the barley by talking directly to the men who grow it.
Nosing & Tasting - a highly skilled and in-depth look at our senses and how you can enhance your own experience of whisky.
Whisky Production - learn the processes of 5 different distilleries.
Inside the Cask - behind the scenes at a Speyside cooperage.

Immerse yourself in the world of Scottish Whisky.

Destination Bars - visit one of Scotland's most famous Whisky Bars and chat with the owner about selecting, sourcing and selling.
Starting your own Distillery - we have one of our newest distillers on hand to help guide you through the trial and error process of starting your own distilling project.
The Bottler - one of the most famous Independent bottlers will take you through the world of independent bottling and its place in the market.
All about Sherry - our own Sherry sommelier will be on hand to guide you through a stunning array of Sherry from Jerez, Spain.

Knockdhu DISTILLERY

learn from masters of the craft

Tatsuya Minagawa

Visit one of Scotland's most famous Whisky Bars, The Highlander Inn, and chat with the owner Tatsuya Minagawa about selecting, sourcing and selling.

Dr Paul McLaughlin

'The Whisky Doc'

Nosing and Tasting with Dr Paul McLaughlin - A highly skilled and in-depth look at our senses and how you can enhance your own experience of whisky.

Annie Manson

Our Sherry sommelier Annie Manson is a direct descendant of J&A Manson, founders of the Glen Garioch distillery and will be on hand to guide you through a stunning array of Sherry from Spain.

Andrew Smith

One of the most famous Independent bottlers, Little Brown Dog will take you through the world of Independent bottling and it's place in the market.

Your Masters

6 unforgettable experiences on the Malt Whisky trail

GLEN GARIOCH DISTILLERY

Glen Garioch Distillery

Established in 1797, Glen Garioch (pronounced 'Geery') is one of the oldest operating distilleries in Scotland - and its most Easterly. Situated in the historic market town of Oldmeldrum, Glen Garioch is a rare find indeed.

GLENDRONACH DISTILLERY

GlenDronach Distillery

Founded in 1826, GlenDronach has been creating the finest sherried single malts for nearly 200 years. Located in Forgue by Huntly, its reputation has travelled worldwide - to those in the know, it's a well kept secret.

GlenAllachie Distillery

GlenAllachie Distillery sits in the heart of Speyside, nestled into slopes of the Ben Rinnes mountain. Winning multiple awards in its first few years as an independent distillery, GlenAllachie is already renowned for producing fantastic whisky.

Knockdhu Distillery

At Knockdhu Distillery the methods used to make 'anCnoc' (pronounced 'a-nock') whisky have hardly changed in over 100 years, and it's these traditional techniques that help to create it's distinctive, modern flavour.

Ardmore Distillery

Unchanged since 1898, Ardmore still employs traditional distilling and warehousing methods in its peated single malt whisky. Ardmore is shaped by its deep-rooted connection to the land, people and wildlife of its Scottish Highland home.

Speyside Cooperage

Enjoy a journey through the lifecycle of the cask, as you experience the sights, sounds and aromas of a working cooperage. Watch skilled Coopers traditionally shaping, shaving and charring casks into what is an integral part of the whisky industry.

Your Experiences