Set in the heart of the city with sweeping views over Edinburgh’s skyline, the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Experience is a bold, modern celebration of one of Scotland’s most iconic names in whisky. It is more than a traditional distillery, this immersive attraction brings the story of the Johnnie Walker whiskies to life through flavour-led storytelling on the Journey of Flavour Tour (£30/pp) to luxurious experiences like their Liquid Gold tasting (£390/pp) of whisky and caviar! All rooted in a legacy that dates back to 1820. Booking tickets to the tour at the Johnnie Walker Princes Street experience in Edinburgh opens the door to a multi-sensory journey that’s as engaging for newcomers as it is for seasoned whisky lovers.
The experience is perfectly capped off at the Johnnie Walker 1820 rooftop bar. Where inventive serves and classic drams are paired with panoramic views across the city – making it one of the most memorable stops in Edinburgh.
Johnnie Walker Princes Street Edinburgh – Tour & Tasting Options
It’s almost a must to try scotch whisky when visiting Edinburgh and Scotland – and Johnnie Walker Princes Street is a great place to experience it. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting and doing the experience at Johnnie Walker Princes Street over 10 times since it opened. As an Edinburgh-based drinks writer and photographer I have immense experience of distillery tours across Scotland. And the Johnnie Walker Princes Street is one of the whisky experiences in Edinburgh that I recommend the most.
On the Johnnie Walker Princes Street tour experience you get to learn more about the world’s most popular Scottish whisky brand. And of course sample some delicious drinks as well. The 1820 rooftop is one of my top spots for cocktails in the city and I would highly recommend a visit. Not only does it have a spectacular view. But the cocktails are such fun flavour combinations that you will be sure not to have tried them anywhere else.
♥ Looking for other distillery tours or whisky tastings in Edinburgh? See our full guide to more options here!
Which tour is best for you?
- The Johnnie Walker Signature Experience – A Journey of Flavour: A great experience for both enthusiasts and those new to whisky as an introduction to Johnnie Walker and a fun array of cocktails.
- The Johnnie Walker Collection – A Guided Tasting: A tasting well-suited to those who prefer to only do an elegant tasting, rather than a full experience.
- Luxury Whisky and Scottish Chocolate Tasting: Whisky and chocolate are incredibly tasty on their own, but together they’re even better!
- Luxury Cask Draw Tasting: An experience which is perfect for enthusiast who wants to try something a bit different and unique.
- Liquid gold – Whisky and Caviar: An incredibly luxurious tasting, celebrating two of the world’s finest products.
Below you will find more information on the various tours that are available at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. I have had the pleasure of doing several of them and you are bound to find at least one experience that will suit you. If you don’t know which one to pick, then I don’t think you can go wrong with the Journey of Flavour tour as it’s a great all around experience. I particularly like that it feels very friendly and inviting for anyone. And that you have the opportunity to choose two of the drinks that you taste during the experience.
The Johnnie Walker Signature Experience – A Journey of Flavour
- Cost: £30 per adult
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- This tour is also available with an audio guide in Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, and Portuguese. Just remember to add it to your tour beforehand.
- Anyone with Johnnie Walker Princes Street Journey of Flavour tickets also get 10% off liquid products in the shop after the tour.
The Journey of Flavour tour at Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh is a great introduction to whisky. No matter your previous experience with the drink. The tour starts with a Flavour Quiz to identify your flavour preferences. This will then also impact certain elements during the experience. Throughout the tour you get to learn more about the Johnnie Walker brand and its history, sample different drinks and also find out more about some of Scotland’s most famous distilleries. You have the opportunity to try three different drinks during the tour – one customised highball and two drinks where you have the option of choosing between either highballs, old fashioned cocktails or neat whisky. If you would prefer a non-alcoholic alternative then mocktails are also available.
Tip: If you want to continue your experience after the tour I highly recommend booking a table at the stunning 1820 Rooftop Bar.
The Johnnie Walker Collection – A Guided Tasting
- Cost: £45pp
- Duration: 1 hour
- After your experience you also get 10% off products and merchandise in the shop.
- This experience is only for adults aged 18+.
This experience begins in the Explorer’s Both Bar with a tutored tasting of the iconic Johnnie Walker Black Label. This is one of my personal favourites as it’s a brilliant house whisky to have at home. Afterwards you are invited to try a selection of some of Johnnie Walker’s signature blends including the following:
- Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
- Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old
- Johnnie Walker Green Label
- Johnnie Walker Seasonal Blend
- Johnnie Walker Blue Label
The tasting whiskies can be subject to change. This experience is well suited to both experienced enthusiasts and those who might not have tried that many whiskies before.
Luxury Whisky and Scottish Chocolate Tasting
- Cost: £75pp
- Duration: 1 hour
- After your experience you also get 10% off products and merchandise in the shop. Including an exclusive discount on King George V.
- This experience is only for adults aged 18+.
- This experience is only available on select dates.
- The chocolates include dairy, soya, gluten and nuts. Unfortunately it is not possible to cater for dietary requirements for this experience.
What is better than a whisky tasting? A whisky and chocolate tasting! This classic pairing is a wonder for the senses. Exploring these two together might even enhance your appreciation for both whisky and chocolate. One of the reasons that these two work so well together is that the chocolate coats your palate and lets you discover the flavour of the whisky with less of a burn from the alcohol. The chocolates are handcrafted by the award-winning Scottish chocolatier Iain Burnett. And paired to each whisky for an optimal flavour experience.
The tasting begins with quite the delicious welcome: the Johnnie Walker Black Ruby cocktail followed by a palate cleanser chocolate. Before moving on to the whiskies and their pairings. The pairings include some wonderful whiskies such as the Johnnie Walker Blue Label, The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami, the Johnnie Walker Harris Tweed and the King George V. The King George V is a real treat in my personal opinion. But this entire line up consists of some of the more premium Johnnie Walker whiskies in the portfolio. The pralines have flavours like Orange Crunch, Chai Velvet, Passionfruit Velvet and Sea Salted Caramel, but can be subject to change.
Luxury Cask Draw Tasting
- Cost: £150pp
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Anyone with Johnnie Walker Princes Street Luxury Cask Draw Tasting tickets also get 10% off liquid products in the shop after the tour.
- This experience is only for adults aged 18+.
This experience takes place in the Cask Cellar which is hidden underneath the Johnnie Walker Princes Street building. Even though Johnnie Walker Princes Street isn’t a distillery, they still have a whisky cask warehouse room here. An excellent experience for whisky enthusiasts where your welcome dram of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Xordinaire XO Cognac Cask Finish is drawn straight from the cask. The experience continues with a tutored tasting of four premier cask strength Scotch whiskies. The line up includes some more experimental and fascinating single malt and single grain whiskies that are exclusive to this tasting. At the end of the tour you will also have the opportunity to try a social whisky, which is blended right before your eyes by your tasting host.
Liquid gold – Whisky and Caviar
- Cost: £390pp
- Duration: 2 hours
- After your experience you also get 10% off products and merchandise in the shop.
- This experience is only for adults aged 18+.
- This experience contain fish, milk, eggs, sulphites/sulphur dioxide. Unfortunately it is not possible to cater for dietary requirements for this tasting.
For the ultimate luxurious whisky experience, discover a Caviar experience in this exclusive tasting journey. The tasting line up includes some incredibly rare whiskies that are as good as liquid history. Each of the three whiskies will be paired with a selection of premium caviars: Oscietra, Prestige Oscietra and Beluga. The caviars are from the 1295 Caviar Company which is Scotland’s exclusive importer of Sturia caviar from France. Quite the memorable experience combining two of the world’s most appreciated luxury products.
Special Events at Johnnie Walker Princes Street
- Lunar New Year: For the Lunar New Year, Johnnie Walker Princes Street are offering special tours and tastings in Mandarin.
- Hogmanay: For the big New Years celebration in Edinburgh, Johnnie Walker Princes Street have a spectacular event available. If you book a ticket you get to see the fireworks over the castle from one of the best spots in town: the 1820 Rooftop Bar!
The Johnnie Walker Princes Street Shop
If you are looking to buy a bottle of Johnnie Walker whisky or one of the other whiskies from the distillery portfolio, the retail shop is your perfect spot. Here you will find everything from exclusive whiskies only available in this very shop to merchandise like raincoats, glassware and whisky flavoured popcorn (these are so tasty!). Amongst the exclusive Johnnie Walker Princes Street whiskies I would recommend checking out the seasonal blends that are limited releases inspired by each season. Remember that if you have tickets to any of the Johnnie Walker Princes Street experiences or tours here in Edinburgh you also get a 10% discount on certain products in the shop!
Which Johnnie Walker whisky is for you?
- Johnnie Walker Red Label: A good whisky to use for cocktails as it has both a spicy and spritely character.
- Johnnie Walker Black Label: A brilliant go-to whisky for any occasion and it’s really affordable too! A personal favourite of mine.
- Johnnie Walker Black Ruby: An excellent choice if you prefer more fruit notes in your whisky.
- Johnnie Walker Double Black: If you would prefer a bit more smoke in your whisky, this is the one for you.
- Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve: A lovely whisky with a nice honeyed sweetness and another one which works for many occasions.
- Johnnie Walker Green Label: The Green Label in comparison to the others on this list is a blended malt, so there is only single malts in this whisky (not any grain whisky, like in the others) so it is a robust but elegant whisky that appeals to single malt drinkers.
- Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old: A refined whisky where the cask aging has mellowed out any harsher edges. This is another favourite for me.
- Johnnie Walker Blue Label: An incredibly smooth and luxurious blend for those who can spend a little bit more on their whisky. Perhaps for a special occasion?
Limited editions
These are just some of the Johnnie Walker labels as there are quite a few special editions and limited releases. If you are not looking for a Johnnie Walker blend, but would prefer a distillery single malt then I would recommend the fruity Cardhu 12 Year Old, the more robust Mortlach 16 Year Old or the Talisker Port Ruighe which has a lovely mix of red fruits and some smoke.
Tip: At The Johnnie Walker Princes Street Retail Store you can find exclusive bottles that are only available here, like the seasonal blends, so they make a great gift or souvenir!
Johnnie Walker Princes Street 1820 Rooftop Bar
The 1820 Rooftop Bar at Johnnie Walker Princes Street is one of my favourite spots for cocktails in the city. I had been missing a cocktail bar that would dare to do some fun cocktails with whisky and not just the same old classics that are good, but can feel a little uninspiring. So when 1820 opened I was thrilled! Not only does it have the best views over the city, with a unique angle over Edinburgh castle, but both the food and drinks creations here are stunning. The fried chicken with smoked buffalo sauce is just incredible. I would recommend booking ahead of your visit at the rooftop bar in advance to guarantee your table. Juts be aware that you will have to pay a deposit of £5 per guest to book in advance, which will be deducted from your bill during the visit.
If I could only recommend one cocktail it would be the Olive Oil + Saffron!
FAQ – Visiting Johnnie Walker Princes Street
Yes, it is a common misconception that Johnnie Walker is from America, but all Johnnie Walker whisky is from Scotland as they are all Scotch whiskies.
In Scotland, whisky is spelled without the additional e which is often used for American and Irish whiskey. It does not signify any particular difference in production of the spirit, but the word has developed in different ways in different countries.
You learn more about John ‘Johnnie’ Walker on the tour so I don’t want to spoil it for you, but he was a grocer from Kilmarnock in Scotland.
Children under 8 are not allowed to partake in the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Journey of Flavour tour. But children over the age of 8 are welcome with a valid ticket but must be accompanied by an adult over 18 years at all time and will of course not be able to try the whiskies.
I would recommend booking tickets in advance as the Johnnie Walker Princes Street experience can be particularly busy certain days. And especially in the high season of summer.
No, this is not a distillery but a brand home for the Johnnie Walker whiskies where you can do a tour and learn more about this blended whisky and the distilleries that go into it.
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Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
