Get to know the golden nectar even better at these locations

"After spending your day wandering the cobbled streets and alleyways of Old Aberdeen or exploring a few of the local castles and stately homes, the perfect way to end the day in Aberdeen is with a quiet sip of single malt whisky. Inside the elegant 19th-century stately home that houses the Mercure Aberdeen Adroe House, you'll find Laird's Bar, where you can sample an impressive selection of local malt whiskies while relaxing in front of a crackling fire. Once your taste for whisky is tickled, ask your Mercure concierge for whisky tour and day trip suggestions in and around Aberdeen. "

Whisky in Aberdeen

As one might expect, whisky bars and pubs abound in the city. Tempt your tongue at The Grill on Union Street, one of the oldest bars in Aberdeen, or treat yourself to a whisky tasting flight at The Tippling House in vibrant Belmont Street. Pick up a souvenir bottle (or two) of the good stuff at Aberdeen Whisky Shop, where the owners will share a deep knowledge of Scotland's whisky and even invite you to taste their wares. They stock a wide range of malts, including some of the most sought-after limited-edition bottles in the world.

A deeper dive

As whisky lovers will tell you, you can't truly appreciate a dram of the ‘water of life’ until you see how and where it was made. Touring a local distillery, where you'll learn centuries-old tricks related to the art of whisky-making, is an essential part of any trip to Aberdeenshire. Peek behind the curtain at Glen Garioch (pronounced ‘geery’), which has been producing a mighty malt since 1797. Nearby GlenDronach has a 200-year history of creating whiskies aged in old sherry casks, while Fettercairn, tucked away in the Cairngorm Mountains south of Aberdeen, uses crystal clear mountain water to create its light Highland Malts.

Follow the Malt Whisky Trail

If you want to truly experience the variety of whiskies Scotland has on offer, take a tour along Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail, which includes some of the world's oldest and finest distilleries. A tour of the only whisky trail in the world will give you an insider's view of the whisky-making process and guide you through the subtle differences in scent, taste, texture, and strength of world-famous malts like Glenfiddich and The Glenlivet. Several tour companies offer day trips from Aberdeen that take you straight to the source of some of the finest single malt whisky in the world. Many tours also include a taste of the region's fresh local food as well as views of the dramatic landscape, from windswept moors to sweeping coastlines and stunning beaches.