Spiriting around Speyside
A compelling opportunity to discover and embrace the warm welcome that awaits you in our rarely seen tasting lounge located at Cardhu and enjoy a selection of drams drawn from our Speyside distilleries. Bookings by request only. Please use the form below.
Come and join our engaging & attentive team at Cardhu for a Speyside Scotch Whisky experience that will live long in the memory. The Speyside region is home to the greatest concentration of malt whisky distilleries in Scotland, and our whisky makers have access to an extensive whisky library - which is what will be showcased as you settle in our private tasting lounge and discover the wide array of celebrated bottlings to have been released from both our iconic and esoteric distilleries.
Your experience will begin with a warm Speyside welcome and a light lunch in the brand home. From here, you will set off on a comprehensive tour of the distillery, with the opportunity to learn how our exquisite Speyside malt whisky is produced at Cardhu. Once complete, the focus will turn to our duty paid warehouse, where you will have the opportunity to draw direct from a selection of exceptional single malts. From the warehouse, you will be welcomed into our private tasting lounge to relax with your chosen cask dram and subsequently sample a thoughtfully curated flight of Speyside drams drawn from our extensive liquid library. From the Special Releases bottlings, to the Prima & Ultima collection and beyond, you will have the opportunity to experience the very best that Speyside has to offer.
If you are unable to find a suitable booking time, the please contact us cardhu@malts.com and we will try out best to accommodate you.
Please note that we can accommodate a maximum of 8 people per group (advanced booking required) and children under the age of 18 are not permitted on this experience.
Please arrive at the Distillery at least 15 minutes prior to the start of your allotted experience timeslot. If you are late, we shall assume that you have failed to attend, and we reserve the right to continue the experience at the scheduled time in your absence. Unfortunately, if you are late or you miss your allotted booking time, it is very unlikely that we will be able to reallocate you or your party to another slot.
Find out more about accessibility and our facilities at Cardhu on our website.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your visit please get in touch via cardhu@malts.com or call us at 01479 874635 and a member of the team will be happy to help.
HOW TO GET THERE
Planning your visit
Cardhu Distillery is located at Knockando, Aberlour, Banffshire, AB38 7RY, Scotland, in the heart of the Speyside whisky region.
By Car
The distillery sits near the village of Archiestown and is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from Elgin via the A9. Visitors travelling from Inverness can reach Cardhu in around one hour by car. Free on-site parking is available.
Public Transport
Public transport options are limited in this rural part of Speyside, so travelling by car or local taxi is recommended. The nearest railway station is Keith, around a 30-minute drive from the distillery. Cardhu is also a popular stop along the Speyside Whisky Trail, making it easy to include in a wider whisky touring itinerary.
For further journey planning, visitors can consult Traveline Scotland for up-to-date transport information.
Opening hours of the distillery
Please note that the distillery may be closed at short notice due to weather conditions. Please check our Google entry for up-to-date information before you visit us.
January - February: Thursday - Monday | 10:00 - 16:00
March and April : Monday - Sunday | 10:00 - 17:00
May- September: Monday- Sunday 10:00- 18:00
October - December: Monday - Sunday | 10:00 - 17:00
Discover the flavors of Cardhu and find your perfect drink, whether you are a loyal whisky lover, a fan of innovative cocktails or a lover of non-alcoholic refreshments.
The Cardhu Tasting Kitchen and Bar operates during the distillery’s regular opening hours. Please note that last orders are accepted 30 minutes prior to the distillery’s closing time.
Please note that all under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
View the menu here. Please note that our menu is subject to change.
Cardhu’s visitor experience reflects its deep connection to the surrounding Speyside landscape. The distillery grounds have been thoughtfully redeveloped to include a scenic dramming garden, offering visitors a place to enjoy whisky while taking in views of the Speyside countryside.
As part of long-term environmental initiatives, Cardhu has planted an orchard on site, which will mature over the coming decades and reflects the orchard-fruit notes often found in the distillery’s whisky.
To support sustainability efforts, general waste bins are not provided on site, and visitors are encouraged to take any personal litter home with them after their visit.
Cardhu aims to make the distillery experience as accessible as possible for visitors. Accessible parking spaces are located close to the main entrance, with ramp access leading to the visitor centre.
Inside the building, lift access connects the exhibition spaces, tasting kitchen and retail areas, allowing wheelchair users to move comfortably between key visitor spaces. Accessible toilets are available near the entrance.
While some areas of the distillery tour involve stairs, alternative experiences including visual displays and guided explanations are provided so visitors can still enjoy the full story of Cardhu’s whisky-making process.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the visitor centre shop and bar areas when accompanied by a responsible adult. Dogs must always be kept on a short lead and should remain under close supervision during your visit.
Dogs are not permitted in the distillery production areas or on guided tours, with the exception of assistance dogs. Visitors are asked to ensure their dogs do not climb on furniture, handle items in the shop, or disturb other guests.
Due to the size of the visitor spaces, the number of dogs allowed at any one time may be limited. The distillery reserves the right to ask visitors to leave if a dog’s behaviour causes disruption or safety concerns.
Cardhu Distillery FAQs
Cardhu Distillery is located near the village of Archiestown, close to Aberlour in the Speyside whisky region of Scotland. The distillery sits in Knockando, around 30 minutes’ drive from Elgin and approximately one hour from Inverness. Its central Speyside location makes it a popular stop for visitors exploring the Speyside Whisky Trail.
Yes, Cardhu Distillery welcomes visitors and offers a variety of guided tours, tasting experiences and special events. These experiences allow guests to learn about Cardhu’s whisky-making heritage while sampling a selection of Speyside single malts.
Booking in advance is strongly recommended, particularly during peak travel seasons in Speyside. Tours and tastings can fill up quickly, and reserving a spot ahead of time ensures availability on your preferred date.
Visitors are welcome to explore the retail shop and tasting kitchen even if they are not joining a guided tour, subject to availability. This allows guests to enjoy a dram, browse exclusive bottles or relax with a drink in the visitor centre while taking in the Speyside surroundings.