Tour whisky distilleries in Scotland, India and Japan this holiday season

Earlier, Indians travelled overseas and purchased again alcohol from responsibility free outlets on the airport. Now, they’re travelling to find the legend of malts throughout Scottish glens and Japanese Alps, and how they’re made.

According to SkyScanner Travel Trends 2024, practically 63% of respondents out of 1,000 budgeted extra on journey in 2024 in comparison with 2023, and for the primary time in historical past, Indian single malt gross sales exceeded Scotch (53%) in 2024, in response to the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) — an indication that Indians take their malts severely.

Tasting on the The Singleton of Glen Ord, Scotland. The Singleton is a Single Malt Scotch whisky with various age statements and expressions
| Photo Credit:
Special association

Encouraged by statistics resembling this and a rising curiosity, whisky appreciation golf equipment throughout the nation are actually ideating and curating itineraries, all for the love of dram. 

The Single Malt Amateur Club (SMAC) in Bengaluru, based in 2011 with over 4,500 members, ran a members-only journey, Whisky Horoheki (₹3.3 – ₹3.7 lakh per particular person, unique of airfare) to Japan in February. With many Japanese distilleries closed to particular person guests, the membership managed to tug off an enviable itinerary. Yamazaki Distillery (established in 1923, Japan’s first malt whisky distillery) — strategically positioned between Osaka and Kyoto, on the confluence of the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu rivers — set the scene for a personal Suntory-guided tour, with an unique tasting session that included the Yamazaki 25-Year-Old.

Hemanth Rao, Founder, SMAC
| Photo Credit:
Special association

This was adopted by a go to to the Chichibu Distillery on the foothills of Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park in Saitama. This distillery is inaccessible to most people, and its doorways had been opened due to the community of whisky connoisseurs recognized to SMAC.

The Single Malt Amateur Club (SMAC) in Bengaluru organised Singapore Sling II, a brief journey comprising simply 11 members, to expertise probably the most thrilling whisky bars and savour Singapore’s Scotch tradition from April 17 to 21.
| Photo Credit:
Special association

Accompanying seven individuals from Hyderabad, Pune, Bengaluru and Mumbai, co-founder Hemanth Rao elaborates, “Visiting established distilleries requires extensive advance planning, whereas newer distilleries offer whisky enthusiasts an in-depth exploration of the production processes. Food pairing, especially malt whisky with sushi, significantly enhanced our experience.” 

The ultimate distillery expertise at Nikka Yoichi in Hokkaido was distinctive for its continued use of direct coal-fired pot stills — a uncommon technique in whisky-making that contributes to a heavy, oily, and complicated spirit, paying homage to conventional Scottish drams. These golf equipment additionally introduce lovers to international locations that they usually wouldn’t affiliate with whisky. Singapore Sling II, organised by SMAC final 12 months, took 11 members to the island nation, to expertise probably the most thrilling whisky bars and savour Singapore’s Scotch and bar tradition (₹1,49,000 excluding airfare). The group tried over 10 ultra-rare whiskies with various age statements of over 5 many years, throughout bars dotting the busy skyline.

Glenfiddich distillery casks, Scotland
| Photo Credit:
Special association

Speaking of the attract of whisky trails, Zoran Peric, MD, Realmix Limited, that does strategic advertising with the spirits business, explains, “Whisky tours usually offer expressions not available in stores. Japan is famous for its highball bars, popularised in the 1950-60s and you definitely want to add those to your list.”  

Japanese bars are notoriously compact, accommodate beneath a dozen patrons at a time, and require advance bookings, however Whisky Horoheki pulled off a cocktail bar coup with visits to Osaka’s Bar Freedom, Tokyo’s Whisky Library, Bar Kage in Ginza, and Bar Aloha, run by Hawaiian native David Tsujimoto, which provided intimate experiences and classic worldwide and Japanese malts.

Casks at Suntory Yamazaki Distillery , Japan
| Photo Credit:
Special association

Japanese mixologist Shingo Gokan, is bullish about Japanese whisky tourism for Indians. “With rising disposable incomes, increased exposure to global culture, and a burgeoning aspiration for premium experiences, India presents a promising landscape for whisky brands.” 

Scottish whisky writers are intrigued by Indians’ love for Scotch historical past. Charlie MacLean, Scotland’s legendary whisky author, sees an upward tick in this spirit-led discovery. “Scotland is the heartland of whisky. Its popularity has encouraged whisky production in 87 countries around the world, including India, of course. Only by visiting Scotland’s distilleries and tasting whiskies can this mystery be explored!” says Charlie.

The Kelpies are a pair of monumental metal horse-heads, you’ll encounter on the Scotch path, between Falkirk and Grangemouth, Scotland
| Photo Credit:
Special association

Mumbai-based The Dram Club, began in 2019, with over 1200 members is at present planning a visit to Scotland in August 2025, particularly the Islay area, with masterclasses and unique tastings at 15 distilleries together with Lagavulin, Talisker, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Springbank amongst others. 

Suntory Yamazaki Distillery, Japan
| Photo Credit:
Special association

Having examined the waters with a gaggle of seven members in October 2023, the membership’s co-founder Swati Sharma says it is vital to know your viewers. “We floated polls within our community about duration, distillery wishlists and budget. We planned distillery visits and tastings, but with breaks in between so travellers could explore the area on their own.”

From Edinburgh, dwelling to Johnnie Walker Princess Street, to the Glenkinchie Distillery and an Edinburgh Gin Distillery tour, the group soaked in the spirit panorama of the historic city. It traversed picturesque Pitlochry adopted by the Aberfeldy distillery, and excursions on the Singleton, Dalmore, Glenmorangie, Glenlivet and Glenfarclas distilleries.

Dram Club members in dialog with Sir Dennis Malcolm at Glen Grant distillery
| Photo Credit:
Special association

Himanshu Chitre, a Dram Club member recollects his expertise in Scotland, at his first ever whisky path. “Tasting at Aberfeldy, bottling our own whisky straight from the cask at Glendronach, judging the Speyside festival drams — spending almost half-a-day with Sir Dennis Malcolm, the oldest-serving master distiller in the Scotch whisky industry at Glen Grant, was easily the most memorable event of the whole tour.”

Workers at Suntory Yamazaki Distillery transfer the malt
| Photo Credit:
Special association

While India is but to discover its personal whisky trails with just some customer centres, John Distilleries, Goa, Bengaluru-based Amrut Distilleries and the experiential Good Craft Co. by Diageo (together with a fermentary and an ode to craft Indian spirits), provide a glimpse into the Indian malt scene. “For our overseas visitors, it’s often a pleasant surprise to find a place like this, leading to a greater appreciation of how far the Indian single malt experience has come,” explains Paul P John, chairman and managing director, Paul John Whisky, that operates a customer centre in Goa, in a Portuguese type mansion.

Dennis Steckel, who began an Amrut appreciation membership in Älmhult, Sweden, visited Bengaluru for the launch of India’s oldest and costliest malt (Amrut Expedition, a 15-year-aged malt). He says, that the variety of vacationers in Indian single malts is witnessing an uptick. “I have close to 400 coveted Amrut bottles that I have swapped with other malt enthusiasts. There is definitely a growing interest in Indian single malts.”

Heemanshu Ashar, Global Brand Ambassador, Paul John Distilleries
| Photo Credit:
Special association

According to Heemanshu Ashar, Global Brand Ambassador, Paul John Distilleries. “Whisky trails make whisky appreciation and palate expansion unique and memorable for participants. The appreciation gained from distillery visits also creates a benchmark of what good whiskies should be and that builds the appreciation of Indian single malts produced from quality producers.”