“Highlands & Islands” Distillery Tours
4th Gaelic Explorers “Dublin to Edinburgh” Windstar Cruise
July 03 - 11, 2023
***SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION ON CRUISE FARES****
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Don’t miss out on having your whiskey with an “e” and without!
Join Kim Ohanneson - Certified Whisky & Gin Ambassador and Educator, founder of Ardent Spirits L.A. LLC, and President of Women Who Whiskey ~ Los Angeles - as she heads to the home countries of whisk(e)y — sailing Scotland and Ireland.
Toast the spirit of the Emerald Isle and celebrate Scotland’s iconic past and lively present with Kim whose repertoire of spirited tales and extensive knowledge of the international whisk(e)y scene will enhance and enliven distillery tastings by offering historical context and a global perspective.
On the “Highlands & Islands” itinerary, there is an opportunity for a distillery visit (or more!) at every port of call.
Traveling by sea is the ideal way to visit island distilleries that are otherwise expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to reach. The newly renovated, all-suite yacht Star Pride (capacity 342 guests) in the Windstar cruise line is able to dock at smaller ports that the behemoth “floating cities” can’t manage. Windstar’s small ships also provide an intimate, elegant, welcoming ambiance on board as we sail around Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, tasting the essence of the local cultures and leaving the crowds and clichés behind!
Please note: the Highland & Island Distillery Tours are exclusively for advance booking for the Ardent Spirits L.A. / Women Who Whiskey limited group of guests traveling on the Star Pride. This is not available to other guests on the yacht.
Additionally, Windstar is holding space exclusively on this cruise segment for our group! However, all space is limited and subject to availability. We anticipate this cruise selling out. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to book sooner rather than later.
Register your spot now.
For questions or info, please contact our preferred travel adviser Larissa Schultz at larissa@journey-widetravel.com / 562.665.1904
Invergordon, Scotland
Journey from the pubs of Dublin to the castles of Edinburgh…
…with rugged highlands, lyrical islands, and stunning landscapes at every turn. Here in the land of good Scotch and fine Irish whiskey, astonishing natural beauty meets refined elegance in beautiful ports and exclusive marinas.
A Sample of Distillery Tours & Tastings:
Highland Park
Bushmills
Glenmorangie
Talisker
Teeling
Tobermory
And more!
Plus, gin is in! Sip unique gins and explore terroir in Scotland, Ireland, and on the Isle of Man: a world UNESCO Biosphere.
Sign up for all the “Highlands & Islands” tastings, explore old favorites, discover new expressions and new distilleries, or mix and match with Gaelic Explorer Shore Excursions.
Registration details:
Space is limited to ~20 travelers to ensure the experience and tastings remain boutique and specially curated for all participants.
PLEASE NOTE: the optional “Highlands & Islands” distillery tours/tastings are not inclusive of the Gaelic Explorers cruise; as with normal shore excursions on cruises, additional per person cost will be charged for each tasting you select to partake in.
Once booked and deposited for the cruise you will receive a separate registration link to book your tours and tastings.
A wee bit more about the tours & tastings:
At each port of call, Kim curates a unique experience with a local distillery (or two or three!) of the region. Tastings and tours have been created to provide you with the best experience of the area!
PLEASE NOTE: distilleries are living, breathing entities! Accordingly, the experiences may change as other opportunities present themselves. Guests will be notified when/if new experiences become available.
PRE-CRUISE DAYS: Dates TBD- Dublin, Ireland
For those who want to experience Dublin and start their whiskey journey early, Kim will lead tours to her favorite distilleries in “the Liberties” including a distillery in a church. the first new Dublin distillery in 125 years, and a newly reopened distillery from the Golden Era of Irish whiskey.
Monday, July 3 - Dublin, Ireland
Embarkation Day - Today we set sail on our journey!
Depending on the departure schedule, we may have time for a distillery visit.
Tuesday, July 4 - Douglas, Isle of Man, UK - Outlier Distillery and Fynoderee Distillery
In addition to enjoying the stunning vistas of the Isle of Man, a World UNESCO Biosphere, we’ll visit Fynoderee Distillery to ‘Taste the Island’ — sampling gins created by award-winning Master Distiller Gerard Macluskey from Manx grown or locally foraged botanicals.
We will also explore the Isle of Man: a UNESCO Biosphere. We’ll explore gorgeous beaches and ruins, visit a local winery and sample local produce, and stop by the village of Peel to taste delicious and distinctive Davison’s Ice Cream (Hello, Salted Caramel!)
Fyndoree Distillery , Isle of Man ~ A UNESCO Biosphere
Bushmills Distillery, Northern Ireland
Wednesday, July 5 - Portrush, Ireland - Old Bushmills
Old Bushmills is Ireland's oldest distillery and has been distilling award-winning whiskey for 400+ years.
This distillery stop is a work in progress but past experiences have included the option of a Distillery tour + a bespoke Premium Tasting Experience, which included the full range of Bushmills Whiskies and the opportunity to nose, taste. and compare the Bushmills Whiskies against a Bourbon and a Scotch whisky.
Guests also had the option to buy a bottle with a personally customized label in the Bushmill’s gift shop.
We hope to start our day with a trip to the must-see rock formation known as the Giant’s Causeway. We would then enjoy a delicious lunch in the town of Bushmills before heading to Bushmills Distillery for our Tour and Experience.
Thursday, July 6 - Tobermory, Isle of Mull , Scotland
Tobermory Distillery, the only distillery on the Isle of Mull, is one of Scotland's oldest commercial distilleries.
Established in 1798, the distillery produces award-winning whiskies and gins, including non-peated Tobermory whisky and peated Ledaig whisky. The new line of Tobermory gins has a splash of Tobermory new make spirit as a botanical! Guests can choose the whisky tasting, the gin tasting, or both!
Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Talisker Distillery, Isle of Skye
Friday, July 7 - Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Talisker Distillery
Our day will start with a visit to Torabhaig Distillery: A farmstead turned into the first whisky distillery to be built on Skye in 190 years and only the second legal site to operate on the island.
Talisker Distillery — the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye — where we will enjoy a tutored, in-depth tasting of Talisker whiskies and learn how the distillery's unusual swan neck lyne arm pipes make this island whisky so unique.
We’ll also visit scenic Isle of Skye sites including the famed Fairy Pools.
Saturday, July 8 - Kirkwall, Isle of Orkney, Scotland – Highland Park Distillery and Scapa Distillery
Our visit to the wild and beautiful Isle of Orkney will include a visit to Scapa Distillery, which is situated on Scapa Flow: one of the most dramatically beautiful vistas of any Scottish distillery. We will enjoy a custom, private tasting of 23yo - 26yo whiskies from Scapa’s Distillery Reserve Collection.
We are also planning a visit to Highland Park Distillery, Scotland’s northernmost distillery, for a tasting of rugged, complex, and award-winning single malt Scotch whiskies that are influenced by the island’s Viking heritage.
Scapa Distillery on Scapa Flow, Isle of Orkney
Glenmorangie Distillery, Highlands
Sunday, July 9 - Invergordon, Scotland – Highlands Whisky Distilleries Tour
The fabulous finale to our “Highlands & Islands” journey is a comprehensive tour for Highland whisky enthusiasts!
The itinerary includes tastings at the Glenmorangie, Balblair, and Clynelish distilleries.
We’ll also enjoy gorgeous Highland vistas on our way to visit the stunning Dunrobin Castle with its amazing falconry display as well as the “Best Whisky Bar in Scotland” as rated by multiple whisky publications.
Monday, July 10 - A Day at Sea
Relax in the ocean air and enjoy the amenities on the yacht after our whisky-filled day in the Highlands and before the whisky delights of Edinburgh!
Edinburgh, Scotland
Friday, July 11 - Edinburgh, Scotland
Staying on for a wee while in Edinburgh? Possible options for exploration include the first new distillery in Edinburgh in nearly 100 years and a private whisky club’s elegant new digs.
Optional excursions to Glasgow and Northeast Scotland distilleries may be available as well depending on interest.
To book your spot - please fill out the registration form. Fellow whiskey-enthusiast and travel adviser Larissa Schultz will be in touch to answer questions and finalize your booking.
This is a must-do for those who want to visit the home countries of whisk(e)y through a unique, ambassador-led-and-curated program throughout the beautiful countrysides of Scotland and Ireland!
Register your spot now!
To be part of the “Highlands & Islands” Distillery Tours group and receive group sailing benefits you must book your cruise through our preferred travel adviser Larissa Schultz at larissa@journey-widetravel.com / 562.665.1904
Tours are optional and subject to change. Tours and tastings are neither affiliated with nor sponsored by Windstar Cruise Lines and are in addition to the shore excursions offered by the cruise line. Pricing does not include transportation to/from the pier and/or the distillery, unless as noted.