Whiskey Travel Hub
Welcome to the Whiskey Travel Hub
If your idea of a good time involves a well-aged pour, rugged coastlines, tiny tasting rooms, or distillery tours where someone hands you a thief and says “want to try something special,” this is your page.
Whiskey travel is not one-size-fits-all. Some travelers want peat and sea spray. Some want elegant Japanese drams. Some want bourbon with bluegrass. Others want a scenic getaway with great pours and zero DIY stress.
This hub brings all my whiskey content into one place so you can explore by flavor, region, or travel style.
Where Do You Want Your Next Dram?
Below are the world’s most compelling whiskey destinations and why they matter.
Islay: Smoky Legends and Wild Coastlines
Best for: Travelers who love bold, smoky pours.
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Think: Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg.
Wild, windy, and deeply flavorful. Distilleries that feel carved out of the coastline.
Highlands: Scenic Roads and Highland Drams
Best for: Travelers who want drama without medicinal notes.
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Think: Oban, Talisker, Highland Park.
Sweeping views, cliffside walks, and distilleries with views worth framing.
Speyside: Smooth Sipping and Big Variety
Best for: collectors and easygoing sippers.
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Think: Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet.
The most approachable region for a first whiskey trip.
Japan: Elegant Drams with Mountain Views
Best for: travelers who want design, nature, and precision.
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Think: Shizuoka, Mars Shinshu, Komoro.
Best for: adventurers who love smoke, sea air, and rugged landscapes.
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Think: Sullivan’s Cove, Hellyers Road.
Best for: lively bars, smooth pours, and history-rich travel.
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Think: Teeling, Jameson, Redbreast.
Ireland: New Wave Distillers + Old World Charm
Best for: bourbon fans and road-trippers.
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Think: Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace.
Choose Your Whiskey Travel Style
Festivals and Whiskey Weeks Worth Flying For
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Islay Festival (Feis Ile), Scotland
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Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, Scotland
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Kentucky Bourbon Festival, USA
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WhiskyFest (multiple US cities)
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Tasmania Whisky Week, Australia
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Irish Whiskey Festival, Ireland
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Campbeltown Malts Festival, Scotland
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Victoria Whisky Festival, Canada
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Whisky Live (various global cities)
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Japan Whisky Festival, Japan
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Sydney Whisky Week, Australia
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Dublin Whiskey Festival, Ireland
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Highland Whisky Festival, Scotland
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Oslo Whisky Festival, Norway
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Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival, Sweden
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Hong Kong Whisky Festival, Hong Kong
Trip Inspirations
​5-Day Islay Getaway
For travelers who hear the word “peaty” and start packing.
Day 1: Arrive in Islay and settle into a cozy inn near the coast. Quick stroll, seafood dinner, early night.
Day 2: Laphroaig and Lagavulin tastings with time to walk the shoreline and breathe in that smoky sea air.
Day 3: Ardbeg experience, followed by a scenic drive to Kildalton Cross and a quiet pub dinner.
Day 4: Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila. Expect rugged views, slow sips, and great photos.
Day 5: Souvenirs, final dram, and departure. You’ll come home smelling like smoke in the best possible way.
7-Day Highlands + Speyside
Perfect for the traveler who wants a balanced pour: smooth Speyside classics plus dramatic Highland scenery.
Day 1: Arrive in Speyside, warm up with a local tasting and an early dinner.
Day 2: Visit Glenfiddich and Glenlivet. Smooth, scenic, and very giftable bottles.
Day 3: Macallan experience with time in the architectural tasting room. Afternoon wandering in nearby villages.
Day 4: Drive into the Highlands. Optional castle stop. Stay in a boutique lodge with views.
Day 5: Oban tasting plus a waterfront lunch.
Day 6: Talisker or Highland Park, depending on your route. Both come with unforgettable coastlines.
Day 7: Slow breakfast, last scenic walk, and return home relaxed instead of rushed.
10-Day Japan Whiskey + Nature Route
For travelers who want thoughtful drams, peaceful scenery, and a trip that feels restorative instead of rushed.
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Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo. Settle in, grab an easy dinner, and enjoy a quiet whiskey bar to shake off the flight.
Day 2: Explore Tokyo at a comfortable pace. Think neighborhood wandering, café stops, and one curated whiskey tasting in the evening.
Day 3: Travel to Nagano. Check into a mountain town hotel. Slow afternoon. Early night.
Day 4: Visit Mars Shinshu Distillery. Take your time with the tastings and the views. Optional short nature walk nearby.
Day 5: Transfer to Komoro. Enjoy the Komoro Distillery experience, then relax in an onsen town nearby. This is your deep exhale day.
Day 6: Free morning. Journal, stroll, sip tea. Afternoon train to Shizuoka. No tight plans.
Day 7: Shizuoka Distillery visit. Appreciate the cedar casks, forest air, and volcanic spring water. Easy dinner afterward.
Day 8: Scenic day. Choose between a gentle hike with Fuji views or a cultural stop like a tea farm. Your pace sets the tone.
Day 9: Train to Kyoto. Visit Yamazaki if you want a final whiskey highlight. Otherwise, spend the day wandering temples, gardens, or cozy cafés.
Day 10: Slow breakfast. A little shopping or one more garden walk. Depart feeling replenished instead of wrung out.
Find Your Whiskey Travel Personality
Not all whiskey lovers travel the same way. Some want rare pours. Some want scenic roads. Some want slow luxury. These four personalities help you figure out which kind of trip fits your taste.
The Collector
You love a bottle with a backstory and the thrill of finding something you can’t get at home. Your ideal whiskey trip includes private tastings, access to special releases, and distillery visits where someone pulls out the “good stuff” because they can see you appreciate it.
Your travel style is curated and intentional with room for a few brag-worthy moments.
I help by lining up the right reservations, the right routes, and the right places to bring home something worth showing off.
The Explorer
You want the scenic roads, the quiet corners, and the distilleries hidden so well that even your friends who “know whiskey” have never heard of them. You’re here for the views, the stories, and the sense of discovery that makes a trip feel unforgettable.
Your travel style is curiosity-driven with a little adventure in the mix.
I help by finding the spots most travelers miss and spacing the days so you have time to enjoy them.
The Sipper
You want charming inns, pretty landscapes, relaxed tastings, and meals that feel like part of the experience instead of something squeezed between distillery visits. Comfort matters to you as much as the whiskey.
Your travel style is smooth, scenic, and paced with intention.
I help by matching you to the right regions and planning days that feel like slow luxury from morning to night.
The Curious Newcomer
You don’t need a deep whiskey background to enjoy a great trip. You want friendly distilleries, approachable tastings, simple explanations, and a little scenery or culture along the way. A good guide, a good pour, and a day that isn’t rushed is your sweet spot.
Your travel style is light, fun, and easy to enjoy without pressure.
I help by choosing distilleries known for hospitality and building itineraries that make the experience feel welcoming instead of intimidating.
Want a Whiskey Trip That Matches Your Taste?
My name is Stephanie Austin
Planning a whiskey-focused trip should feel exciting, not overwhelming. If you want great drams, smooth pacing, and an itinerary built around how you like to travel, I can design it for you.
My specialty is helping busy professionals enjoy whiskey regions without juggling the logistics.
Ready to Get Started?
Let’s take the guesswork out of planning your whiskey getaway. If you want great drams, great views, and sip-worthy experiences, I’ll design a trip that fits your pace, your palate, and your personality.
Schedule Your Consultation
Your time is valuable. Let’s map out the whiskey trip that actually fits your life.
Download the Whiskey Personalities Guide
Not sure what kind of whiskey traveler you are? Start here and discover the style that shapes your trip.
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