The Cask Connoisseur’s third listing of the UK and Eire’s most-loved whisky distilleries has been launched.
The advertising agency is run by Luke Slater, beer connoisseur; Chris Walster, whisky connoisseur; and Isobel Walster, advertising connoisseur. It launched its first most-popular distillery listing in 2023 and revisited the idea final 12 months.
In its first two years, England’s Cotswolds Distillery took the highest spot – nonetheless, this 12 months it’s all change.
To create the listing, The Cask Connoisseur workforce seemed on the variety of Google rankings and critiques, the variety of Tripadvisor rankings and critiques, and social media metrics overlaying Fb, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. If information was unavailable, a rating of 0 was given.
A complete of 294 distilleries have been factored into the info, with a rating given out of three,564. The info was compiled in Might 2024.
This 12 months, six of the highest 10 have been primarily based in Scotland, with two Irish and two English distilleries additionally making the minimize. However which distillery got here out as the preferred? Scroll down to search out out.
10. Isle of Raasay Distillery, Scotland
Distillery reputation index: 2,800.5
The Isle of Raasay is residence to solely round 160 individuals, however much more should come to go to the island’s solely distillery for it to rank within the high 10 hottest listing. Nevertheless, final 12 months, it ranked sixth – a small however disappointing drop. Earlier this 12 months, the distillery unveiled its third launch of cask energy single malt whisky.
9. Dingle Distillery, Republic of Eire
Distillery reputation index: 2,812.5
Dingle Distillery in County Kerry had an ideal exhibiting this 12 months, leaping 11 spots to interrupt into the highest 10 for the primary time. The distillery was based in 2012, with its co-founders hoping to problem the ‘large three’ of Irish distilling. The model launched its first core single malt whiskey in 2021.
8. The Lakes Distillery, England
Distillery reputation index: 2,813.0
Cumbria’s Lakes Distillery had the largest leap of all websites within the high 10 – it leapt a large 29 spots. It’s been a giant 12 months for the English whisky model, which launched its first everlasting single malt in March following a sequence of restricted editions. The corporate is now a part of the Nyetimber group, which might have injected some further funding to dedicate to its customer providing.
7. Glengoyne Distillery, Scotland
Distillery reputation index: 2,838.0
In contrast to many Scottish distilleries – we’re you, Ardnamurchan – Glengoyne Distillery has the benefit of being very straightforward to get to. It’s only a 30-minute drive from Glasgow – which might clarify why it’s turn into such a hotspot for vacationers. Owned by Ian Macleod Distillers, the model is now taking up the US – however its spot as seventh on this listing is evident proof it’s not forgotten its base in Lanarkshire.
6. Glenfiddich Distillery, Scotland
Distillery reputation index: 2,869.0
Dufftown-based Glenfiddich is holding tightly onto sixth place, having debuted within the spot final 12 months. Owned by William Grant & Sons, the Speyside whisky model dates to 1887. The positioning provides three excursions: the Explorer, the Malt Grasp and the Milestones.
5. Lindores Abbey Distillery, Scotland
Distillery reputation index: 2,912.5
Climbing steadily by the rankings, Lindores Abbey Distillery in Fife has cracked the highest 10 for the primary time. Revered because the ‘non secular residence of Scotch whisky’, the abbey was first related to whisky manufacturing in 1494. The earliest documented document of distilling in Scotland mentions Friar John Cor, who meant to make ‘aqua vitae’.
The trendy distillery opened in 2017 following a long time of archaeological work. At present, it provides each distillery and historical past excursions.
4. Bruichladdich Distillery, Scotland
Distillery reputation index: 2,933.0
Islay distillery Bruichladdich has lengthy been a favorite amongst whisky aficionados – and we even received an opportunity to go to this 12 months. In 2025, it jumped 11 spots to crack again into the highest 10 after lacking out in 2024.
Recognized for its sustainability credentials, the distillery produces unpeated Bruichladdich, closely peated Port Charlotte, and cult-favourite Octomore – billed as ‘the world’s most closely peated whisky’ – in addition to the Botanist Gin.
3. Kilchoman Distillery, Scotland
Distillery reputation index: 3,005.0
It’s one other win for Islay with Kilchoman Distillery in third spot. The impartial whisky model has managed to remain within the high three of this listing since its inception. It’s one of some farm distilleries in Scotland and it operates a grain-to-glass method, rising its personal barley and maltings on web site. That’s loads for guests to soak up!
2. Cotswolds Distillery, England
Distillery reputation index: 3,191.5
The reigning champion has slipped. The Cotswolds Distillery has taken the highest spot on the earlier two lists, however this 12 months, it’s sadly been crushed. That stated, its drop is much from dramatic – the distillery stays a powerhouse within the English whisky scene and continues to draw robust customer numbers to its web site in Shipston-on-Stour.
1. Teeling Distillery, Republic of Eire
Distillery reputation index: 3,203.5
Scoring simply 12 factors greater than The Cotswolds Distillery, Teeling has managed to bag the highest spot this 12 months. When it opened in 2015, the location was the primary new distillery in Dublin for greater than 125 years. Its experiences embody tasting excursions and the chance to bottle your personal whiskey, and guests also can loosen up within the Bang Bang Bar and the Phoenix Café. All of that’s most likely why the location managed to welcome its one millionth customer final month.
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