Column: Saying No to a Whisky Distillery? Surely Not!

Certain professions are simply magnificent, enticing you to peek into the kitchen. A whisky distillery is an example of a place where you'd want, or rather, need to step inside.

Do you love whisky, but have never visited a distillery before? Please, make it happen. I completely understand: you'd want to get out of a doctor's or dentist's office as fast as possible, and you wouldn't hang around a car mechanic for a few hours either. Some professions simply aren't inviting for a brief nosy excursion.

But that's not the case for the world of whisky. Here, you'd want to fully license your sights and sounds for optimal experience. Because at a distillery, you witness the creation of whiskies with sheer expertise and love.

It's a profession that has been practised for centuries, and although big marketing machines are behind brands to put whiskies in the spotlight, nothing compares to the pure authenticity of a distillery floor.

The scent of barrels, some of which will outlast my own existence — it deeply delights me, each smell as enticing as cookies from a bakery. And then there's the characteristic equipment, where a potstill is considered the crème de la crème.

Every time I lay my eyes on these massive stills, it’s akin to coming face-to-face with one of the big five in the jungle. Chills run down my spine.

And they don't even do anything, they can't converse, but they continue to quietly observe you.

In those precious seconds as I stand gazing in near reverence at a still, and the still quietly and rustily stands there in its pride, I am certain: we like each other.

Wandering around a distillery is almost magical and a must-have experience for a whisky drinker. Moreover, it's wonderful to have conversations with people who have crafted a product or have been intensely involved with a spirit.

Sometimes, you get to talk to a master distiller or the owner, often the same person at micro-distilleries – and it's fantastic.

Just like getting a peek into the cockpit before a flight, with the pilot waving hello. The only difference is that such a privilege is not available to many, while in the whisky world, you hold the reins to your own experiences. So if you feel inclined to make an appointment to visit a distillery, you can.

The best part? There are often delicious drams to sample, with something exclusive often on offer. At larger establishments, you can frequently snag a distillery exclusive whisky bottle, bringing something unique back home.

Who would say no to that?