Whisky lovers and curious first-timers alike will want to pencil in time for The Johnnie Walker Experience, one of Edinburgh's most talked-about visitor attractions and a short stroll away on Princes Street.
Opened in 2023 inside a comprehensively restored Edwardian building on Princes Street, this is Diageo's flagship brand home for Johnnie Walker, and it has quickly become one of the city's premier whisky destinations. The venue is recognised as a five-star visitor attraction, spread across multiple floors that take guests on a journey from the brand's history through to contemporary tasting and cocktail experiences.
Guests can choose from a range of guided tours and tastings. The signature experience takes visitors through the world of Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky, combining live performances with interactive projections, and finishes with three personalised cocktails or mocktails, tailored to your own flavour profile. It's an engaging, theatrical introduction to Scotch whisky that works well whether you're a lifelong whisky drinker or trying it for the first time.
For a lasting souvenir, don't miss the personalisation floor, where you can choose a whisky expression and design your own label, with the bottle embossed or engraved on site — the process takes around 30–40 minutes and prices start from roughly £60.
Save time for the top-floor bar, where world-class cocktails come with sweeping views over Edinburgh Castle, alongside a well-stocked selection of whiskies in the Explorers' Bothy bar. It's one of the best rooftop settings in the city centre, and a lovely spot for a pre-dinner drink.
Address: 145 Princes Street, Edinburgh, in the city's West End
Getting there: Around a 15-minute walk from Haymarket and Edinburgh Waverley stations
Hours: Tours generally run from 11am to 7pm, though this varies by tour and is subject to availability
Accessibility: Lift access and low-height tables are available across the experience, along with accessible toilets on each floor and a Changing Places toilet on the ground floor
Age policy: Children over eight are welcome on the Signature Experience with a valid ticket, provided they're accompanied by an adult
