whisky castle

Visited today with family- he loved the vast selection and tasters! Best of all purchases can be packed and posted by staff for not very much. Gift shop has a cafe and comfy surrounds. Coffee and cake and staff pleasant all round. Well worth a visit for cafe or selection of whisky on sale

They certainly know their whiskies and distilleries here. The selection is excellent as are the recommendations.

Visited as part of a small group and had a tasting of three very different whisks hosted by Cathy.She knows her stuff and expertly guided us through the tastings.Good whisky isn't cheap and this shop charges a competitive price but there are no bargains to be had. However there is a warm welcome and expert knowledge on hand.....and you get to see the official Guinness Book of World Records recognised largest bottle of whisky in the world!!Well worth a visit.Attached to the whisky shop is a gift shop, and a cafe with toilet facilities.

Dropped in for a browse and couldn't believe the price of regular run of the mill malt whiskies. Left without buying and made my way over to Dufftown for a more reasonable priced shop with an equally large collection.Don't know where the locals with buy but don't think it ill be here!

Do go to this shop if you like Whiskey or are buying someone a present of Whiskey.If you come by car, then no problem just park in the surface car park straight off the street in the centre of town.However if you come on a coach tour, they usually give you slightly less than half an hour in this village and again you are in the same car (coach) park. Do not bother with the souvenir shops as there is nothing you cannot get elsewhere but here in this shop the owner and his wife (I think she is) are very knowledgeable and will let you sample some of the special whiskeys before you buy. Were else would you get this superb service? Do not bother with the ordinary table whiskeys, say 8 - 12 year oldbottles but describe your palate (taste preference and then go to where he directs you on the shelves. You can get some 20 - 40 year old whiskeys at a fraction of the price you would pay through the internet or a normal retailer. Then bring the bottles back to the counter and he will show you what a similar whishey tastes like. He might even have a bottle open already of the one you want to buy.Remember your 30 minutes will go quickly so be one of the first off the coach and straight into the shop. I was not and there was a queue to be served. Time is precious so let the proprietor help you as he knows and loves Whiskeys and is delighted to serve. You will come away with a greater appreciation of whiskey. Remember your palate changes over the years.When at home some months later you will sit by the fireside in the evening and remember the helpful service you received here.Enjoy and be blessed as you relax. Chris

Great knowledgeable staff, hundreds of samples available (not all at once), great restaurants near by to eat afterwards :) Great prices and selection.

We visited Tomintoul on an almost perfect day and my wife dragged me kicking and screaming into this wonderful home of 500 or so malts.! Of course they want you to buy but taste it first, indeed taste a few before selecting.(It's a good idea if you have a non-sampling driver!) The owners are so knowledgeable and yet afford you , the customer, the time to choose without pressure. When my lottery numbers come up, I will return with a trailer but in the meanwhile I am delighted with my purchases and the service.

Popped in for a look that rapidly turned into a rapid browse before heading for the door. Little wonder the 'king' is up for abdicating (the business is for sale - retirement). A true Basil Fawlty interrupted the browse continually ranting re his knowledge and expertise with his desire to 'educate'. May have had a sip or two but his conduct was verging on comedy with more than a hint of rudeness. Not a great advert for Scottish shops or the Whisky trade. I wish the King a restful and peaceful retirement.

We stayed at the Richmond Arms Hotel where we heard about the Whisky castle nearby. This quick stopover was suddenly the highlight of our trip! Kathy gave us lots of great information about whisky. We really enjoyed the extensive tasting she set up for us. There are so many wonderful and special whiskys to try at the Whisky Castle! Don't miss it! :D

I would go out of my way to pass through Tomintoul just to go to the Whisky Castle. We had already done the Whisky Experience in Edinburgh and a tour of the Royal Lochnegar distillery. But we really understood about Whisky during Martin's lively, funny, Whisky-filled, narrated tasting experience. He's threatening to retire so be sure to beat a path to his door before he does.

Owner and his lovely wife run the shop and gift shop. Has every type of whiskey and an opinion on all! Tasting permitted! This is a wonderful stop on the Whiskey Trail!

A memorable experience - never seen so many different whiskeys in one place and the tasting session was superb given by Mike ( no-one can know more about whiskey then Mike. Thank you so much

This is a must visit if for nothing else than the sheer numbers of different whiskeys. Add to that the knowledge of the owner plus his willingness to discuss all matters of places, life, the universe and all that, plus the adjoining gift shop and you simply can't fail to have an enjoyable visit. I didn't buy a whiskey, however I didn't leave empty handed as I found some books on whiskey, plus my wife found the gift shop ! !

Have visited here for more years than I can remember and always had a warm welcome from the Drury's.Both husband and wife are a fountain of information about all the whisky they sell from the humble bottle to the 1k nectar.Always free samples to test your knowledge and theirs.You may nose or taste something that arouses their interest.I always buy a couple of bottles but never pay excessively.They have books on whisky which you can browse to see what the"experts" say.Definitely return next year.Good luck to you both.Large free car park opposite.

Lots of fun and a lot of info at this little shop, The owner is a hoot and very free withh his samples. Be prepare to buy something. The owner is a good guy who will chat with you about life, travel and whisky while pouring wee drams of the good stuff. How can you not buy something ? Fun and no pressure. Good restaurant across street.