Port of Leith Distillery Tour and Tasting

A vertical distillery is not what you expect in Scotland. This Port of Leith tour turns whisky tasting into a proper walkthrough, with a hands-on bottle moment and a guided look at production and maturation.

I like the architecture-first approach, especially the unusual vertical layout that makes the building feel like part of the process, not just a backdrop. I also really like that the tasting is structured, so you taste more than just a few drams and actually understand what you are drinking.

One heads-up: the included tasting is not about their own whisky, because it has not been released yet, and the Distillery Bar is extra and booked separately.

Quick hits before you go

• Vertical distillery design that you can actually see working, not just hear about
• QC Lab tasting that walks you through production and maturation, step by step
• Your own miniature bottle of New Make spirit to take home
• Tasting flight includes New Make spirits, port, sherry, and Table Whisky
• Small groups with a maximum of 20 travelers, so questions feel normal
• Guides you may get, like Olivia and Ellie, who make the story feel human and fun

Entering the Port of Leith Distillery, Edinburgh’s Vertical Whisky Machine

Port of Leith Distillery has one of those designs that makes you stop mid-walk and just look up. The big draw is that it is a vertical distillery, and it has that feel of a facility built around gravity and flow. You do not just tour a room, you move through a building that is shaped to do the work.

I like that this tour leans into the architecture instead of treating it like decoration. You get the sense of why they built it this way, and how whisky production can be a visual, mechanical process. If you enjoy factories and behind-the-scenes spaces, you’ll get extra satisfaction here.

The other thing that makes this experience stand out is what happens after the building tour. You transition into a tasting that is guided and structured, and that helps you leave with more than just a nice buzz and a vague memory of flavors.

The 90 Minutes That Actually Feel Like a Tour, Not a Sales Pitch

Plan for about 1 hour 30 minutes for the Tour and Tasting. It runs from late morning into the evening, so you can slot it into a normal Edinburgh day without rushing.

You start at Whisky Quay, 11 Whisky Quay, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6FH. The good part for your planning is that the tour ends back at the meeting point. No awkward maze of tram stops or taxis to figure out after you finish.

They cap the group at 20 travelers, and that matters more than you might think. Smaller groups tend to make the tour feel more like an actual conversation. If you have questions about the process or the tasting, you’re more likely to get a direct answer.

Also, if you are choosing a time, remember that this is a production facility. You will be moving through a working environment, and wearing sensible shoes will keep the whole thing comfortable.

What You Do Step-by-Step: Building Stories, QC Lab, and Bottling Your Own New Make

The experience has a clear flow: you begin with the distillery itself, then move into a tasting area that ties what you just saw to what you are about to drink.

Stop 1: Inside the Distillery at Whisky Quay

You start exploring the Port of Leith facility and its vertical layout. This is where the building becomes part of the story. You learn the basics of how Scotch whisky production fits together, but more importantly, you see the spaces where the work happens.

A key part is the narrative of how the company began, including the story of two whisky fans from Edinburgh who went from dreaming to operating the world’s tallest distillery. That human angle helps the tour land. Instead of a lecture, it feels like a project with momentum.

The QC Lab tasting moment

Next comes the QC Lab. This is where you get the structured tasting, guided in a way that takes you through production and maturation. The point is not just flavor, it is context. You get a sense of how different stages and styles can land on your palate.

In the QC Lab, you take part in a guided tasting of New Make spirits, port, sherry, and Table Whisky. Even if you mostly drink whisky at bars, the tasting format helps you connect what you taste to how it is made and finished.

Fill a miniature bottle of New Make spirit

Then you get the hands-on highlight: you fill your own miniature bottle of New Make spirit. This is a fun souvenir that also makes the experience feel complete. You’re not just handed samples, you take part in the ritual.

One practical thought: your miniature bottle is small, so it is not the kind of souvenir that replaces buying whisky later. It is more about the memory and the flavor experience, and you get that without needing to spend more during the tour.

The Tasting Flight: New Make, Port, Sherry, and Table Whisky

Let’s talk about what you actually taste, because that is the main event.

The guided tasting includes samples of:

• New Make spirits
• Port
• Sherry
• Table Whisky

That lineup is smart for two reasons. First, New Make helps you understand the base spirit before it finishes in casks. Second, port and sherry introduce the idea of cask influence, even if the whiskies in your life usually come from a bottle shelf, not a production story.

If you love comparing styles and want to learn with your taste buds, this flight gives you a broad enough range to make the education stick.

Important reality check: no released own whisky in the tasting

Here is a key detail worth acting on: because the distillery is new, the tour tasting is not the stage where you will try their own whisky brand. So if your main goal is to drink the distillery’s finished product, manage expectations.

You can still have an excellent time here. But if your heart is set on tasting their whisky, you might want to check later release timing or plan for a different tasting elsewhere in Edinburgh.

The Distillery Bar is not included

One more point that affects your budget and planning: the Distillery Bar entry is not included. If you want to keep tasting after the guided session, you will need to book the bar separately, at your own expense.

That is not a dealbreaker. It just means you should treat the tour price as the education and the guided tasting, not an all-you-can-drink pass.

Pricing and Value: Paying for the Process, Not Just the Pour

You’ll often see the tour listed around $41.61 per person, and the Tour and Tasting portion is £30 per adult. Either way, the question is value: what are you buying?

Here is what you get in the included Tour and Tasting:

• Guided tour and tasting (about 90 minutes)
• A structured guided tasting flight (New Make, port, sherry, Table Whisky)
• The QC Lab experience that connects production and maturation
• A miniature bottle of New Make spirit that you fill and take home
• A tour group limited to a maximum of 20

For whisky fans, the biggest value is the educational structure. Many Edinburgh tastings are just a few pours with a quick story. This one is built to teach you what you’re tasting and why, and it does it in a real production setting.

Also, the guide-led portion tends to make questions feel welcome, and that is where you can learn the most if you care about how whisky really works.

If you are counting costs, just remember the bar is extra and not rolled into the tour price. If you want the full day of whisky activities, budget a little more. If you are happy with one guided tasting and one souvenir bottle, the included value already covers the core experience.

Footwear, Safety, and Health Notes You Should Not Ignore

This is a working production facility, and the walk is part of the experience.

They advise that you tour through areas with open grate flooring. There are plated walkways, but you still need sensible footwear. High heels are not permitted. Cleated cycling shoes are not permitted. Open toe shoes are not permitted.

This matters for two reasons. One, it keeps you safe on the floor. Two, it helps you enjoy the architecture and movement instead of watching your feet the whole time.

There are also clear age rules. For Health and Safety reasons, babies and children under 7 are not permitted on the tour. Children ages 7 to 17 are allowed for £10 per person, and they must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, or any balance impairment, the distillery advises caution. If that applies to you, consider whether standing and walking in a production space fits your needs.

On the plus side, service animals are allowed, and the tour is generally suitable for most travelers.

Language and Guide Style: What You Can Expect from Olivia and Ellie

The tour is conducted in English. If you need extra support, you may find that the experience includes scripts: printed and QR versions are available in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese Mandarin, and Polish (with Polish provided as printed only). They also offer Braille and large print script formats.

One helpful guideline: they ask you kindly not to translate during a public tour. In practice, that keeps the flow steady for everyone.

The other thing that makes a difference is the guide personality. Reviews highlight that guides such as Olivia and Ellie bring the place to life with a mix of knowledge and humor. I like that this tour doesn’t rely only on facts, it uses storytelling. When you hear the human origin story of the distillery and the production logic together, the building stops being a random stop and becomes a coherent experience.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This tour is a great fit if:

• You want a tasting with a teaching component, not just drinks
• You enjoy behind-the-scenes architecture and seeing how a facility is built
• You want a souvenir that is part of the experience, like filling the miniature bottle of New Make
• You are curious about multiple styles, including New Make, port, sherry, and Table Whisky

It might be less ideal if:

• Your only goal is to taste Port of Leith’s own whisky right now, because the tasting does not include it at this stage
• You are expecting the Distillery Bar as part of the ticket price, because you’ll need separate booking for that

Practical Tips Before You Book

• Wear closed-toe, grippy shoes. You’ll thank yourself on the open grate areas.
• Pick a late morning or early evening slot that matches your energy. This is a real visit to a working space.
• If you like structured tastings, plan to go in hungry for learning, not just flavors.
• If you care about tasting the distillery’s finished whiskies later, consider pairing this with another whisky stop in Edinburgh so you get both the process education and the bottle outcome.

Should You Book the Port of Leith Distillery Tour and Tasting?

Yes, if you want a guided, educational whisky experience in a genuinely unusual building. The combination of a vertical distillery tour, a QC Lab tasting that ties into production and maturation, and the chance to fill your own miniature bottle of New Make spirit makes this feel more substantial than a typical one-drink stop.

If your expectation is to sample the distillery’s own released whisky, adjust first. The included tasting focuses on New Make and finished styles like port and sherry, and the bar is an extra step you can add on later.

For many visitors, that trade-off is exactly the point. You come away understanding whisky in a way that makes every Edinburgh pour afterward make more sense.

FAQ

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

The tour and tasting take about 90 minutes.

What is included in the ticket price?

Your ticket covers the entrance fee for the Tour and Tasting only, which includes the guided tasting experience.

Is the Distillery Bar included with the tour?

No. Access to the Distillery Bar is not included and must be booked separately.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Babies and children under 7 years old are not permitted. Children aged 7 to 17 can join for £10 per person and must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

What footwear is recommended or required?

You should wear sensible footwear. High heels, cleated cycling shoes, and open toe shoes are not permitted.

What languages are available for the tour?

Tours are conducted in English. Printed and QR scripts are available in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese Mandarin, and Polish (printed only). Printed scripts are also available in Braille and large print formats.