Where to buy whisky in Edinburgh

As Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh is a haven for whisky lovers (Photo: Shutterstock)

Edinburgh is full of places to enjoy a dram and purchase a bottle of Scotland’s national drink.

Whether you’re a novice whisky drinker or a malt aficionado, these are some of the best places to buy whisky in Edinburgh.

Royal Mile Whiskies

Royal Mile Whiskies, which has been trading for over 25 years, has been named retailer of the year by Whisky Magazine on eight different occasions.

The staff are passionate and really know their stuff when it comes to whisky – particularly Scottish single malts.

Royal Mile Whiskies also periodically release their own bottlings of limited edition whiskies and exclusive rare malts from now-closed distilleries.

Visit: 379 High Street, EH1 1PW - royalmilewhiskies.com

Robert Graham

Robert Graham is one of the oldest whisky and tobacco merchants in the UK - the original shop opened in Glasgow in 1874.

With generations of experience, the Robert Graham team carefully select the finest Scottish single malts, blends and single grains, as well as whiskies from around the world.

Their own bottlings (including the ‘Dancing Stag’ range) have won numerous awards.

Visit: 194 Rose Street, EH2 4AZ - robertgraham1874.com

Whiski Rooms

As well as being a bar and restaurant with plenty of drams to sample, the Whiski Rooms also has a bottle shop on the premises.

Their tasting events are a great introduction to whisky for beginners, and the shop stocks over 500 types of whisky, including rare single malts, Whiski bottlings, and whiskies from Japan, Ireland, India and Taiwan.

Visit: 4-7 North Bank Street, EH1 2LP - whiskirooms.co.uk

Glenkinchie Distillery

Although the majority of Scotland’s distilleries are in the Highlands and Islands, there are a few Lowland distilleries to discover too.

Glenkinchie Distillery is located just outside Edinburgh (near Pencaitland) and offers distillery tours, tastings and the opportunity to buy bottles straight from the source.

Having celebrated its 180th birthday last year, the distillery has a long history of producing light, floral whiskies with a mellow, creamy taste.

Visit: Pencaitland, Tranent, East Lothian, EH34 5ET - malts.com/en-row/distilleries/glenkinchie

Some Edinburgh whisky specialists offer tasting sessions as well as selling bottles (Photo: Shutterstock)

Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Members-only club, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, offers the world’s widest collection of rare single cask whiskies.

The whiskies available to purchase by the bottle here are listed by age, region, cask type and tasting notes, rather than by distiller, encouraging whisky lovers to focus on the spirit itself.

Their Kaleidoscope Bar is open to the public, but for the full experience it’s well worth becoming a member.

Visit: 28 Queen Street, EH2 1JX - smws.com

Cadenhead’s

Cadenhead’s is Scotland’s oldest independent whisky bottler, with its first shop opening in 1842.

In addition to an extensive collection of their own independently bottled range, their Edinburgh store stocks a small selection of the best Scottish whiskies, including rare gems and unusual stock that is not available anywhere else.

Visit: 172 Canongate, EH8 8BN - wmcadenhead.com

Woodwinters

Wine and spirits merchant, Woodwinters, specialises in stocking Scotland's best whiskies, sourced straight from independent bottlers or the distilleries themselves.

With a range of single malts, blended malts, and grain whiskies on offer, there are always around 30 bottles available to taste in the shop so customers can find the perfect whisky.

Visit: 91 Newington Road, EH9 1QW - woodwinters.com

The Scotch Whisky Experience

As well as offering tours, tastings, masterclasses and 'Whisky School' training sessions, visitor attraction, The Scotch Whisky Experience, also has a great bottle shop.

There are almost 500 different whiskies available in the shop, making it one of the biggest and most diverse collections in Edinburgh.

Visit: 354 Castlehill, EH1 2NE - scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk

Jeffrey Street Whisky & Tobacco

Independent emporium, Jeffrey Street Whisky & Tobacco, specialise in rare and limited edition whiskies and Cuban cigars.

A range of malt and grain whiskies from a wide variety of Scottish distilleries are on offer, and the shop holds regular tastings and events so you can 'try before you buy'.

Visit: 12-14 Jeffrey Street, EH1 1DT - jeffreyst.com

There are almost 500 different whiskies available at the Scotch Whisky Experience - one of the biggest and most diverse collections in Edinburgh (Photo: Shutterstock)

Drinkmonger

Little sister to Royal Mile Whiskies, Drinkmonger stocks a wide variety of spirits, liqueurs, wines and beers, with a special focus on whisky.

Although the selection is smaller here than at its whisky-only counterpart, there's still an extensive selection to choose from, and knowledgeable staff to point you in the right direction.

Visit: 11 Bruntsfield Place, EH10 4HN - drinkmonger.com

Special Scotch Whisky

Ideal for those looking for a quirky gift, Special Scotch Whisky offers personalised bottles of some of the best Scottish whiskies.

Customers can add their family name or crest, company logo, photographs or even star sign to classic whisky labels.

They also have a collection of around 400 single malts and blends, including commemorative and limited edition bottles, available to purchase.

Visit: 224 Morrison Street, EH3 8EA - specialscotchwhisky.co.uk

The Whisky Shop

UK-wide chain, The Whisky Shop, offers a great range of whiskies, including some bottlings and vintages which are exclusive to them.

The Whisky Shop is ideal for those who are newcomers to the world of whisky, as they avoid using specialist jargon and pride themselves on 'un-complicating the complicated'.

Visit: 28 Victoria Street, EH1 2JW - whiskyshop.com

Castlehill Whisky

The Castlehill Whisky shop (which can be found hidden inside the Tartan Weaving Mill & Experience) stocks over 350 single malts, and 50 blends, blended malts and grain whiskies.

The shop also offers 'hauf n hauf' tastings, pairing whiskies with some of their 100 varieties of Scottish ales and beers.

Visit: 555 Castlehill, EH1 2ND - facebook.com/castlehillwhisky