Fettercairn Distillery
Discover Fettercairn Distillery, home to unique stills with a cooling ring, offering a special whisky-making heritage and a chance to bottle your own ...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more personal tours.
Fettercairn Distillery
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more personal tours.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover Fettercairn Distillery, home to unique stills with a cooling ring, offering a special whisky-making heritage and a chance to bottle your own dram.
"A delightful distillery with friendly staff and a unique whisky experience that's well worth the visit."
Book Tours Ahead 📅
Unique tours like the Gauger's fill up fast. Book online to secure your spot!
Ask About Exclusives 🥃
Inquire about distillery or warehouse exclusives available for purchase.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Unique Stills
Distillery Floor
Witness the iconic stills with their cooling rings, a unique feature in Scotch whisky production.
+3Gauger's Reserve Bottling
Visitor Centre
Experience bottling your own whisky with a special limited-edition label.
Tasting Experience
Tasting Room
Sample a range of Fettercairn whiskies, often paired with delicious treats.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Tour in Advance
Embrace the Unique Stills
+3Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Tours Ahead 📅
Unique tours like the Gauger's fill up fast. Book online to secure your spot!
Ask About Exclusives 🥃
Inquire about distillery or warehouse exclusives available for purchase.
Embrace the Stills 🚿
Don't miss seeing the unique cooling ring stills in action – a distillery signature.
Friendly Staff 😊
Expect knowledgeable and welcoming staff who enhance the experience. +2
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Tours Ahead 📅
Unique tours like the Gauger's fill up fast. Book online to secure your spot!
Ask About Exclusives 🥃
Inquire about distillery or warehouse exclusives available for purchase.
Embrace the Stills 🚿
Don't miss seeing the unique cooling ring stills in action – a distillery signature.
Friendly Staff 😊
Expect knowledgeable and welcoming staff who enhance the experience. +2
Consider the Gauger's Tour 🥃
This special tour offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at history.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Fettercairn Distillery for its friendly and knowledgeable staff, particularly highlighting guides like Kirsty and Hannah. The unique stills and the engaging tasting experiences are frequently mentioned as highlights, making it a charming and worthwhile visit despite not being one of the largest distilleries. Prices in the shop are noted as being higher than online, but the overall atmosphere and service justify the visit for many.
"I recently visited Fettercairn Distillery and had a great experience. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and recommended some excellent whiskies to taste, which helped me discover a bottle I wouldn’t have chosen otherwise. Prices are a bit higher than online, but the tasting, service, and atmosphere make the visit worthwhile. It’s not one of the big, well-known distilleries, but it has real charm and character. Well worth a stop."
hundreddragons
"Had a fantastic tour and tasting experience here. I would highly recommend it. Kirsty gave us the tour and was friendly, engaging and knowledgeable. The tasting setup is really good and a brilliant end to the overall experience. Thank you for a great afternoon."
Adam Clark
"What can I say. Just go! Amazing tour with Hannah today, so friendly and knowledgeable about Fettercairn as a company, the local area, and whisky in general. She was a delight. The tasting experience was lovely, driver bottles for me, and a happy chap at my side after his tastings. We left with a bottle, and that will not be the last!"
Angie Quigley
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Fettercairn Distillery is located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The easiest way to reach it is by car, as public transport options can be limited. If driving, use GPS coordinates or the postcode. For those relying on public transport, you may need to combine bus and taxi services.
Yes, there is typically ample parking available for visitors at Fettercairn Distillery. It's advisable to arrive a little early if you're visiting during a busy period.
While possible, visiting without a car can be challenging due to the distillery's location. Taxis can be arranged from nearby towns, but it's recommended to book them in advance.
The nearest major airport is Aberdeen Airport (ABZ), which is approximately an hour's drive from the distillery. From the airport, you can rent a car or arrange for a taxi.
Yes, there are several charming hotels and B&Bs in the nearby towns and villages. Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak tourist season.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tour prices can vary depending on the type of experience. It's best to check the official Fettercairn Distillery website for the most up-to-date pricing and to book your tickets in advance.
Yes, it is highly recommended to book your Fettercairn Distillery tours in advance, especially for unique experiences like the Gauger's Tour, as they can sell out.
Opening hours can vary seasonally. Please check the official Fettercairn Distillery website for the most current operating hours and tour availability.
Yes, the distillery shop offers a selection of Fettercairn whiskies, including potential distillery or warehouse exclusives.
Fettercairn offers various tours, including standard tours and specialized experiences like the Gauger's Tour, which allows you to bottle your own whisky.
🎫 🥃 Whisky & Tasting
Fettercairn is known for its distinctive stills featuring a cooling ring, which creates a water jacket. This unique process influences the spirit's character, contributing to its fruity and tropical notes.
During a tasting, you can expect to sample a range of Fettercairn's core expressions and potentially some limited editions or warehouse exclusives. +1
While the focus is on whisky tasting, the distillery staff are usually accommodating. It's best to inquire directly about non-alcoholic beverage options.
Absolutely! The distillery shop offers a selection of Fettercairn whiskies, allowing you to take home your favorite dram. +1
Gauger's Reserve is a special experience where visitors can bottle their own whisky, named after the excise officers who historically measured spirits.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally allowed in most public areas of the distillery, especially to capture the unique stills. However, always check with your tour guide for any specific restrictions during production processes.
The stills with their cooling rings are a must-photograph. The visitor center and any scenic exterior shots of the distillery grounds also make for great pictures.
Yes, you can typically photograph your drams during a tasting session. It's a great way to remember your experience and share it online.
As with most operational sites, drone usage is likely restricted for safety and operational reasons. It's best to confirm with the distillery management before flying any drones.
A versatile lens like a 24-70mm is useful for capturing both the wide stills and details. A prime lens can be great for low-light tasting shots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
For younger visitors, the historical aspect of the distillery and the unique machinery might be interesting. It's advisable to check with the distillery beforehand about specific family policies or if any parts of the tour are less suitable for children. Consider booking a tour during quieter times to ensure a more comfortable experience for everyone.
🥃 Whisky Enthusiasts
+3The Gauger's Tour, allowing you to bottle your own whisky, is a highly recommended experience for those seeking something truly special.
+1 Furthermore, the tasting sessions often feature rare and exclusive bottlings, providing an opportunity to sample some of Fettercairn's oldest and most sought-after expressions. 🚗 Road Trippers & Day-Trippers
Plan your visit to include a tour and tasting, which typically lasts a couple of hours. Ensure you have transportation arranged, whether it's your own vehicle or pre-booked taxis, as public transport can be limited in the area.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Iconic Fettercairn Stills
+3This innovative design is a significant factor in the characteristic fruity and tropical notes found in Fettercairn whiskies. Visitors often express fascination with seeing these stills in operation, highlighting them as a must-see aspect of the distillery tour.
+1The visual impact of these copper stills, combined with the explanation of their function, makes them a memorable part of the Fettercairn experience. It’s a testament to the distillery’s long history of innovation in whisky making.
The Gauger's Tour Experience
+1A highlight of this tour is the opportunity to bottle your own whisky. This hands-on experience allows you to select and bottle a dram, complete with a beautiful, limited-edition label. It’s a personal and memorable way to take a piece of Fettercairn home with you.
This tour is perfect for whisky enthusiasts looking for something beyond a standard distillery visit. It offers a deeper connection to the heritage and craftsmanship of Fettercairn, making it a standout activity.
Whisky Tasting at Fettercairn
Visitors often note the quality of the drams and the knowledgeable staff who guide them through the tasting. Some reviews mention pairings with food, such as mango pavlova, which enhance the overall sensory experience.
The staff's recommendations are also highlighted as being helpful in discovering new favorite whiskies. The tasting is frequently described as a brilliant end to the tour, providing a relaxed and enjoyable way to appreciate the nuances of Fettercairn's spirit. It's a chance to savor the results of the unique distillation process.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit