Distillery & Whisky News December 2025
Hello whisky lovers, and welcome to our December edition of Distillery and Whisky News.
As December arrives, thoughts naturally turn to festive wish lists and plans for the year ahead. If you’re still wondering what Santa should slip under the tree this year, let us offer a little inspiration. This month’s newsletter is full of exceptional whisky experiences and distillery highlights that might just help you refine your Christmas cravings.
For those looking ahead to 2026, perhaps it’s time to plan a whisky adventure of your own. Islay, with its iconic distilleries and dramatic coastal landscapes, is the perfect destination for the year to come. Among them, Lagavulin stands out this month with its remarkable Warehouse No. 3 Experience, our top pick for December and a must for any whisky lover.
We also want to shine a festive spotlight on the Scotch Whisky Experience’s Distillers Fair, taking place in Edinburgh on 29 and 30 December. Sample whiskies from leading distillers and uncover the stories behind Scotland’s best-loved brands and hidden gems.
From all of us at DistilleryTours.scot, we wish you a warm, relaxing and very Merry Christmas. Slàinte!
Distillery Of The Month: Clydeside
The Clydeside Distillery is a standout destination that has proudly brought whisky distilling back to the heart of Glasgow. Located on the banks of the River Clyde, beside the historic docks that once connected Scotland to the world, the distillery bridges the city’s rich industrial heritage with its vibrant whisky future. As the first dedicated single malt distillery to open in Glasgow in more than a century, it has quickly become an essential stop for anyone interested in the story of Lowland whisky revival.
Stepping inside, visitors are immersed in the atmospheric history of the Queen’s Dock and Glasgow’s influential role in the growth of the whisky industry. The distillery offers the chance to explore its engaging dockside stories, learn about its innovative approach to crafting single malt, and of course, enjoy a dram while taking in the striking views across the Clyde. As the sun sets over the water, few places rival the distillery for a truly memorable whisky experience.
For those looking to elevate their visit, The Clydeside’s Chocolate & Whisky Tour provides a sensory journey not to be missed. Guests are guided through five carefully selected single malts from across Scotland, each paired with exquisite artisan chocolates that enhance and contrast the flavours in every glass. It’s an indulgent experience that celebrates craftsmanship, storytelling and the joy of tasting whisky in one of the most beautiful settings in Glasgow.
Find out more about Clydeside Distillery at its dedicated pages on the DistilleryTours.scot website.
Venue of the Month: The Globe Inn
First founded in 1610, The Globe Inn has been lovingly and sympathetically refurbished, preserving more than four centuries of history within its walls. Today, it stands as one of Dumfries’ most atmospheric and culturally significant venues, offering guests the rare chance to step back in time while enjoying modern Scottish hospitality at its finest.
For anyone with an interest in literature or Scotland’s past, The Globe Inn is a place that sends a genuine shiver down the spine. Much of the building has been preserved exactly as it would have appeared during the years when Robert Burns was a regular patron. The world-famous poet ate, slept and held court here during his time as an Exciseman, and many original artefacts from his visits remain on display. Guests can tour these historic rooms, sit in Burns’ own chair and even recite poetry where the bard once held an audience.
Alongside its remarkable heritage, The Globe Inn offers an exceptional dining experience. The Michelin-experienced chefs create seasonal dishes using the best local produce, served alongside an impressive drinks list featuring craft beers, fine wines, classic cocktails and a whisky selection boasting more than 250 malts and blends from around the world. Whether visiting for history, cuisine or a memorable dram, The Globe Inn delivers an experience unlike anywhere else.
Find out more about The Globe Inn on its dedicated page at the DistilleryTours website.
Experience of the Month: Lagavulin Warehouse No. 3 Experience
Nestled near the ancient ruins of Dunyveg Castle on Islay’s dramatic south coast, Lagavulin is one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries, famed for its unmistakably smoky, powerful whisky. While its stillhouse, pear-shaped copper stills and sweeping views across Lagavulin Bay continue to captivate visitors, it is the newly renovated Warehouse No. 3 that truly reveals the soul of this iconic distillery.
The Warehouse No. 3 Experience invites guests to step beyond the smoke and into the very heart of Lagavulin’s whisky-making story. Here, surrounded by slumbering casks and the rich aromas of aging spirit, visitors have the rare opportunity to draw whisky straight from the cask. Under the guidance of an expert host, guests taste Lagavulin at different stages of maturation, from recharred hogsheads to rejuvenated red wine casks, gaining a deeper understanding of how wood, time and craft transform new make spirit into one of Islay’s most revered malts.
Each cask tells its own tale and every dram offers a glimpse into the patience, care and passion that define Lagavulin. It is an intimate and atmospheric encounter with the distillery’s heritage, where the essence of the whisky is experienced in its purest form. For whisky fans, the Warehouse No. 3 Experience is an unforgettable journey into the character and craftsmanship of Lagavulin, offering a perspective that few ever have the chance to discover.
Find out more about all of Lagavulin Distillery's tours on their dedicated page at the DistilleryTours website.
Date With A Dram: Holyrood Noir Burgundy Yeast
For December's Date With A Dram competition we've teamed up with Holyrood Distillery to offer you the chance to win a bottle of their newly launched Noir Burgundy Yeast Single Malt.
Competition Time
To be in with a chance of winning a bottle of Holyrood Distillery's Noir Burgundy Yeast Single Malt simply follow DistilleryTours.scot on Facebook or Instagram and share our 'Date with a Dram' post dated 1 December. The lucky winner will be chosen at random and announced in our January newsletter!
Congratulations to Jade Fawcett from the North East of England who won November's competition - a bottle of Glen Scotia 12 Year Old.
You must be 18 years old or over to enter. Please note, will never approach you for your credit card details or personal information, send you friend requests or ask you to click on a link. Please stay safe online and remember to drink responsibly.
Malt of the Month: Old Pulteney 12 Year Old
Matured for 12 years, this is definitive house style of Pulteney's maritime malt. Wholly matured in air dried, hand selected ex-bourbon casks, mostly second fill American oak.
Perfect Serve: Star & Cask Whisky Sour
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The Scotch Whisky Experience's Star & Cask Whisky Sour is a rich, aromatic twist on a classic, blending sherry cask whisky with warm cinnamon, star anise and a touch of sherry for depth.
New Podcast: Angus Alchemy
We chat with Angus Alchemy Distillery Manager Colin Thomson and founders Phil Paton and Martin Brown about their bold and unconventional approach to spirits. From Honeyberry Moonshine to Prickly Gin, Angus Alchemy is shaking up the scene with inventive flavours, a rock ’n’ roll attitude, and tasting experiences that are anything but ordinary.
Looking for inspiration for your next Distillery Tour? Follow us on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to hear more, and subscribe to this newsletter at DISTILLERYTOURS.SCOT/SIGNUP.