Glenkinchie
Pair Glenkinchie with a round
Our sister site TripSCOT covers the visit side — opening hours, getting there, family-friendly notes. We cover the whisky.
Known as “The Edinburgh Malt”, Glenkinchie sits in rolling farmland 25 minutes south of the capital and is the most-visited Lowland distillery. The 12 Year Old is the reference point for delicate, grassy Lowland style — a useful gateway for beginners.
Glenkinchie is 'The Edinburgh Malt' — 25 minutes from the capital in rolling East Lothian farmland, the most-visited Lowland distillery and an excellent day trip from Edinburgh. The 12 Year Old is the definition of Lowland character: light, floral, grassy, and easy. The visitor centre is comprehensive. Part of Diageo's Classic Malts series.
Visiting Glenkinchie
Contact distillery
Pencaitland, East Lothian
EH34 5ET
- Shop
- Café/Restaurant
- Parking
Core range
12 Year Old
43% ABV · American oak refill
Diageo's Classic Malts Lowland representative. Light, dry, accessible — a long way from the sherry-cask Speysides or peat-driven Islays. The classic aperitif Scotch.
- Nose:
- Fresh grass, vanilla, soft citrus.
- Palate:
- Light and floral — grassy, vanilla, gentle oak.
- Finish:
- Short to medium, clean, slightly herbal.
Food pairings
| Whisky | Food | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Year Old | Shortbread or light sponge | Delicate Lowland suits the lightest of flavours. |
| 12 Year Old | Fresh goat cheese | The floral, grassy notes complement fresh light cheese. |
Getting there
Car or taxi. Pencaitland on the B6355, 25 min from Edinburgh centre. No direct public transport.
Where to eat nearby
- The Kinchie InnPub
Adjacent to the distillery — bar food and drinks.
- East Lothian restaurantsArea
Good restaurants in Haddington (15 min).
Where to stay near Glenkinchie
Glenkinchie is in Pencaitland, East Lothian — 15 miles east of Edinburgh, easily reached by car or bus from the city. Edinburgh covers all accommodation needs; this is a genuine day trip from the capital. The East Lothian coast (Haddington, Dirleton Castle, North Berwick) is within easy range for a full day out.
Country house hotel near the distillery.
Full range in Edinburgh, 25 min away.
Where to stay near Glenkinchie
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of Glenkinchie.
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Location
Pencaitland, East Lothian, EH34 5ET
View on map →Frequently asked questions
+Can I visit from Edinburgh without a car?
It's difficult — Pencaitland isn't on a direct bus route. Taxi (about £25 each way) or driving are the practical options.
+Is Glenkinchie good for beginners?
Yes — the 12 Year Old is light, gentle, and approachable. A good starting point for people new to single malt Scotch.
+Where is Glenkinchie distillery?
Glenkinchie is in the Lowlands. Postcode EH34.
+When was Glenkinchie distillery founded?
Glenkinchie was founded in 1837, making it roughly 189 years old.
Compare with similar distilleries
Typical Lowland character shared with Auchentoshan and Bladnoch. The lightest of the Diageo Classic Malts collection.
Auchentoshan
Scotland’s only triple-distilled single malt, producing notably light and delicate spirit. A 10-minute drive from Glasgow and easily the most accessible distillery visit for city-break tourists.
Bladnoch
Scotland's most southerly distillery, founded in 1817 and revived by Australian entrepreneur David Prior in 2015. Produces classically light, grassy Lowland single malts in a quiet corner of Dumfries & Galloway that most visitors never reach.
Other distilleries owned by Diageo
Distilleries that share Glenkinchie's corporate parent — useful context if you're comparing house styles within an owner's stable.
Lagavulin
Iconic Islay distillery on the southern shore, Lagavulin produces some of the most intensely peated, deeply maritime whisky in Scotland. The 16 Year Old is a benchmark Islay dram.
Oban
A tiny two-still distillery sitting right in the middle of the town it’s named after. Oban bridges Highland and West Coast island character — gently smoky, salty, fruity.
Cardhu
Founded by Helen Cumming and the spiritual home of Johnnie Walker, Cardhu is a smooth, easy, fruit-forward Speyside that punches well above its weight as a beginner single malt.
Cragganmore
One of Diageo’s six ‘Classic Malts’. Cragganmore is unusually complex for an entry-age Speyside thanks to its short, flat-topped stills and unique condensing setup.
Linkwood
A workhorse Diageo distillery whose spirit features in many blends but is rarely seen as an official single malt. A favourite of independent bottlers for its perfumed, floral character.
Mortlach
Known as ‘the Beast of Dufftown’ for its uniquely complex 2.81-times distillation regime. Big, meaty, sulphury, sherry-influenced — the polar opposite of typical ‘light Speyside’.
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