The Johnnie Walker Experience: The Journey of Flavour Tour Review
If you’re in Edinburgh, Scotland or planning a trip to the Scottish capital, you’ve probably heard of the Johnnie Walker experience and its multiple offerings at the Princes Street location. Famous for their namesake whisky, Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh is a must-do on any Edinburgh itinerary! From their signature Johnnie Walker Whiskey Experience to incredible views from their rooftop bar, there’s something everyone will enjoy here. Let’s go over my thoughts on the Johnnie Walker Experience! Read along for all of my thoughts and tips + the Johnnie Walker Journey of Flavour Tour Review!
What is Johnnie Walker Princes Street?
There’s something for everyone at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. So… what does that include? First, it’s a retail store! You’ll find hundreds of bottles of whisky to purchase- whether it’s Johnnie Walker or another brand, inexpensive or thousands of pounds, you can find just about anything to your liking. There’s wonderful staff members on hand to assist you with deciding the right whiskey for you. My fiance and I picked up a bottle of Cardhu (aged 18 years) and we absolutely loved it!
Pour+ Engrave your Own Bottle of Johnnie Walker
The best souvenir from Scotland was actually from Johnnie Walker Princes Street! You can actually pour your own bottle of Johnnie Walker’s seasonal blend and even get it engraved if it’s something you’re interested in. Simply ask a staff member, and they’ll assist you with the entire process. Depending on what season you visit during, you’ll have two blends to choose from: Summer, fall, winter, or spring. Our trip was in mid-October and summer and fall were the two choices. We ultimately went with Fall since it was the current season (and since we had just had a very Autumn-y engagement). We poured it ourselves, engraved it, and even wrote on and put on the label ourselves! The staff will have you sign and date their log book, which we thought was really cool!
The Johnnie Walker Experience: The Journey of Flavour Tour
The true Johnnie Walker Experience? Their signature Journey of Flavour Tour! This tour is one of my must-dos in Edinburgh. First, I highly recommend booking the journey of flavour experience in advance. The main reason is so that it doesn’t get booked up, and another is because upon booking you’ll have to complete a flavour profile quiz! It takes about 10 minutes to complete but it’s super important that you do because you’ll need to know what your flavour profile is upon arrival to your tour! Once you check in, your guide will give you a bracelet that corresponds to your results. I got a vanilla colored one, since my flavour profile was ‘creamy’. There’s several others though- fruity, spicy, etc.
Once that’s done, you’ll go on the Johnnie Walker whiskey tasting experience! You’ll meet those in your small group (from all over the world!), and your guide will be entertaining and engaging, taking you through several themed rooms and providing commentary. You’ll learn about the history of Johnnie Walker and what makes their whiskey so special. During this tour you’ll also learn that there’s no certain way to enjoy whiskey- except for however you like it! You’ll get to try three whiskey (or non-alcoholic if you prefer) cocktails with signature Johnnie Walker whiskey.
The first you’ll even get to make yourself- according to your very own flavour profile! You’ll walk through rooms full with whiskey bottles and learn more about flavour profiles and Johnnie Walker’s Scotland distilleries. At the end of the tour, you’ll step into a sleek bar and choose your final two drinks. You can choose between a few different cocktail types and flavor profiles- so you’re not just stuck with your results only!
Overall, I absolutely loved the Johnnie Walker Journey of Flavour tour/ Johnnie Walker whiskey tasting experience. You will learn so much about whiskey (that you would’ve never thought to learn before!). You’ll develop a good taste for whiskey and how you like it. Therefore, you’ll be set up to enjoy Scotland and its favorite drink even better during your visit.
The Johnnie Walker 1820 Rooftop Bar
The best view in Edinburgh? Undoubtedly, the Johnnie Walker 1820 Rooftop Bar! We stopped here prior to the Journey of Flavour Tour and it was incredible. To get here, you’ll head to the top floor of Johnnie Walker Princes Street. They offer a variety of cocktails, appetizers, and even dinner if you come in the evening. I highly recommend trying their signature cocktails made with Johnnie Walker- especially the Strawberry Bonfire if you can handle smokiness! We also had the truffle chips- which were incredible! Although the cocktails and appetizers were amazing, they come in second compared to the views.
While enjoying a drink on the inside, you may be able to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Edinburgh Castle! And if you venture outside (highly recommend!) you’ll be able to enjoy the views even more, and take in the gorgeous city that is Edinburgh. I definitely recommend booking reservations for the Johnnie Walker 1820 rooftop bar in advance; it’s incredibly popular. The booking itself will cost 10 pound, however that amount is taken off your bill when you’re there.
How to get to Johnnie Walker Princes Street
Johnnie Walker is centrally located on Princes Street in Edinburgh, Scotland. You can find it next to shops and dining, as well as across the street and just down the way from landmarks such as the Scott Monument and Ross Fountain. If you’re staying in Central Edinburgh close to Old Town and the Royal Mile, you could easily walk to Johnnie Walker in about 10-13 minutes. If walking isn’t the best option for you, no worries! Edinburgh makes it easy to get around. There are a number of trams and busses that run every few minutes, with stops exceptionally close to Johnnie Walker Princes street. At this point, there’s no excuse to not make it there!
The Johnnie Walker Experience: Final Thoughts
Overall, I highly recommend a trip to Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh. Whether you’re an experienced whisky lover or someone just wanting to partake in a part of Scottish culture, Johnnie Walker will show you how to enjoy whisky your way. Enjoy the Journey of Flavour whisky tasting and the views atop the 1820 Rooftop Bar, and take a bottle of hand-poured (by you!) Johnnie Walker home with you. You won’t regret it!
Would you go on this Scottish whisky tasting? Let me know down below! And in the meantime, check out this post for some more Scotland inspiration!
3 Comments