Culture

In the past, all Scotch whisky was smoky. It was necessary to burn peat under the malting floors in order to dry out the barley, and therefore, all drams were imbued with a peaty and smoky taste. However, with modern heating methods, whisky can now be made unpeated, allowing for a fruitier and lighter profile.

Over the years, there have been many A-Listers who have turned their hand to distilling, and it's now as trendy as a celebrity fragrance. Not only is it in-built advertising, they also have enough dough to turn their vision to reality. A spirits passion project, you could say. The result is some superb expressions, built by celebrity palates, that are the closest most of us will get to having a drink with our favourite celebrity. Let's have a look at some of the best, available at The Whisky Shop.

Auld Reekie is a perfect place to soak up some whisky culture, with a whole host of cosy whisky bars, specialist shops (we have three in Edinburgh!), and attractions such as Johnnie Walker Princes Street. However, if you'd like to get to the source, and see how Scotland's national drink is made, you needn't travel far. Each of these five Lowland distilleries offer a guided tour and tasting for you to enjoy.

This week on The Whisky Shop Journal, we're choosing to shine the spotlight on some of the weird and wonderful bottles in our warehouse. Whether it be the unique decanter the spirit is housed in, or there's just something a wee bit odd about the liquid inside, you'll find it on this list. So, if you're looking for a gift for the one who has everything, you're in the right place.

With it's location on Orkney, Highland Park takes the trophy for the most northerly whisky distillery in Scotland. Though there are many other single malts which hail from equally remote areas of Caledonia, some even being north of Moscow! What flavours come from a whisky made in such secluded, and sometimes harsh, conditions? Lets find out.

If you find yourself in Scotland's second city, and would like to sneak in some whisky culture, or want to visit a whisky distillery not far from home, there are plenty of options for a day visit to salute Scotland's national drink. Each of these five distilleries offer a guided tour and tasting for you to enjoy.

The Scottish gin industry has been booming in recent years, from the Islands to the historic capital, everyone seems to want to get in on the game! We've chosen ten of the best Scottish gins in the business, to toast summer with.

Fans of a coastal and peaty Campbeltown dram will know that the Scottish whisky region was once known as the "whisky capital of the world" during the Victorian era. At it's height, it boasted over 30 distilleries. But what happened for the once iconic place to lose this moniker, and become the smallest of the Scotch regions? Lets take a look at the history of Campbeltown.

Follow us on our team day out at Edinburgh's best-rated whisky experience.

Left your Father's Day shopping to the absolute last minute? We've all been there! Not to worry - we have a few gift solutions that can help you out.