All about the Johnnie Walker Experience in Edinburgh
The Johnnie Walker Experience in Edinburgh brings Scotland’s most iconic blended whisky to life. The venue combines flavour profiling and immersive storytelling to reveal the heritage behind Johnnie Walker’s 200-year legacy.
What sets the experience apart is its focus on personalisation and innovation. Here, you can create your own flavour profile through interactive quizzes, explore whisky in multi-sensory environments, and uncover the brand’s 200-year story in a way no traditional distillery tour offers.
How to enter the Johnnie Walker Experience?
The Johnnie Walker Experience is located on Princes Street, in the heart of Edinburgh's city centre, just a short walk from Waverley Station. Entry is via the main entrance on Princes Street, where ticketing and check-in are handled before beginning the immersive whisky journey.
Access to the Johnnie Walker Experience requires tickets that grant entry to the venue, including all tastings and exhibits. Tickets must be purchased in advance, either online or at the entrance, as entry is not included with general city tours or other Edinburgh attractions.
Explore Edinburgh’s top whisky experiences
The Johnnie Walker Experience is a must-see, but there are plenty of other whisky tours and tastings in Edinburgh that you can enjoy today. From classic distilleries to hands-on tasting sessions, there’s something for every whisky lover.
Hyper-personalised focus: The Johnnie Walker Experience isn’t your usual whisky tour. You start with a flavour quiz to discover your taste profile, then spend 90 minutes on the Journey of Flavour, sipping three cocktails chosen just for you.
Immersive sensory tour: What’s interesting about this experience is that the whisky tasting is brought to life with interactive storytelling, live performances, and sensory touches that make it far more exciting than a typical whisky tasting.
City views and drinks: The experience is set in the 1820 rooftop bar, giving you panoramic views of Edinburgh Castle and the skyline. Enjoy creative cocktails and locally inspired small plates while taking in the scenery.
Exclusive retail and personalisation: When you’re done tasting, take the experience home. Visit the shop for limited-edition whiskies or bottle your own seasonal blend with a customised label to keep as a unique souvenir.
Things to know before visiting the Johnnie Walker Experience
Exclusive tour ticket: The Johnnie Walker Experience operates with pre‑booked tour tickets for the signature Journey of Flavour whisky experience. This ticket gives you access to the 90‑minute tasting tour with three personalised drinks and immersive exhibits.
Age restrictions: Children under 8 years old are not permitted on the whisky tour. Children 8 years and over can join only if accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or older, and anyone enjoying alcoholic drinks must be 18 or older with a valid ID.
Timed entry: You must arrive at the time slot shown on your booking. It is advised to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start time to allow for check‑in and avoid missing your tour.
Separate experiences: The rooftop 1820 Bar and Explorers’ Bothy Bar require separate table bookings and are not automatically included with your tour ticket.
Accessibility and facilities: The building is fully accessible with lifts and accessible toilets. There is no on‑site parking or luggage storage, and guests are responsible for their belongings.
Exploring inside the Johnnie Walker Experience
Welcome area and retail store
On arrival, you step into a spacious lobby leading into the ground-floor retail area. Browse limited-edition whiskies and branded merchandise, and visit the personalisation station to bottle your own seasonal whisky with a custom engraving.
Journey of Flavour tasting rooms
The highlight of the experience is the Journey of Flavour tasting rooms. These combine displays, live performances, and storytelling to reveal the history of Johnnie Walker, along with three drinks tailored to your flavour profile.
1820 rooftop bar
At the top of the venue, the 1820 rooftop bar offers handcrafted cocktails and small plates paired with panoramic views of Edinburgh Castle and the city skyline.
Explorers’ Bothy Bar
Also on the upper levels, the Explorers’ Bothy Bar features a curated selection of whiskies, cocktails, and food pairings designed by Michelin-star chefs, adding a culinary dimension to your visit.
Top drams and whiskies to try at the Johnnie Walker Experience
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Johnnie Walker Black Label
A classic 12-year-old blended Scotch known for its smooth balance of sweet, smoky, and rich flavours.
Johnnie Walker Double Black
A smokier, more intense version of Black Label with bold peat and oak notes.
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
A creamy, honeyed blend with rich fruit and light spice, enjoyed neat or in refined whisky cocktails.
Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Old
A well-aged blended malt with layers of smoke, vanilla, and spice, reflecting Scotland’s whisky regions.
Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years
A premium aged blend with smooth complexity, ideal for sipping neat.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
A rare, luxurious blend with deep flavour, rich texture, and subtle smoke. A must-try for whisky enthusiasts.
Johnnie Walker Harris Tweed Old Fashioned
A signature cocktail made with the Harris Tweed blend, offering a silky, spiced take on the classic Old Fashioned.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Old Fashioned
A classic old fashioned cocktail using Black Label blended Scotch with demerara sugar and bitters.
Historical significance of the Johnnie Walker Experience
The Johnnie Walker Experience on Princes Street marks a major milestone in the story of Scotland’s most famous whisky brand. Opened in 2021 after extensive redevelopment of a former department store, the venue celebrates more than 200 years of Johnnie Walker history and global influence in Scotch whisky. It is part of Diageo’s largest ever investment in whisky tourism, transforming retail and tasting into an immersive cultural experience in the heart of Edinburgh. The attraction has welcomed over a million visitors from around the world, helping highlight Scotland’s whisky heritage and boost the city’s cultural tourism.
Architectural highlights of the Johnnie Walker Experience
Iconic historic building
The venue is housed in a converted early 20th-century building on Princes Street that once served as a department store and bank, preserving several original architectural features while adding modern elements.
Rooftop additions
A new rooftop storey was introduced to house the 1820 bar and terrace with panoramic city views, blending contemporary hospitality design with the historic structure.
Interior design
The interior features immersive multi‑level spaces for storytelling, tasting rooms, and retail, all connected by a stair atrium that reveals the building’s former lightwell and enhances circulation through the experience.
Know before you go
Distillery bar: The 1820 Rooftop Bar opens at 10 am most days.
Tours: Journey of Flavour tours generally operate from 11 am to 8 pm and must be booked in advance.
Bar hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 8 pm. Friday to Saturday, 10 am to 11 pm. Sunday, 10 am to 8 pm.
Walking: About a 15‑minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley or Haymarket stations.
By tram or bus: Frequent services connect the city centre to Princes Street, including Lothian Buses and trams to the Princes Street stop.
By car: Limited parking nearby. Public transport is recommended.
Step-free access: Automatic doors are available at the main entrance with lifts connecting all floors.
Toilets: Accessible toilets are available on every floor. A Changing Places facility is available on the ground floor.
Portable seating: Portable chairs are available for tours on request.
Audio support: Audio description and hearing assistance systems are available.
Sensory accommodations: Sensory-friendly options for flashing lights or loud noises can be arranged on request.
Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the distillery.
Seating: Seating is available in public areas and bars.
Children must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.
Alcohol is only served to guests aged 18 and above. Under-18s are offered soft drinks.
Photography is permitted as instructed by staff. The venue is non-smoking throughout.
Follow all staff instructions during interactive areas, projections, and tasting sessions.
Tours include multi-level spaces, stairs, and interactive sensory elements. Watch your step and hold handrails where available.
Be mindful of flashing lights, projections, or loud audio if you are sensitive to sensory stimuli. Staff can provide alternative routes or sensory packs.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes suitable for walking and standing during the 90-minute Journey of Flavour tour.
Arrive at least 10 minutes before your booked tour time to ensure check-in and safety briefings.
Notify staff of any medical conditions or mobility issues before starting the tour so they can provide assistance.
Frequently asked questions about the Johnnie Walker Experience
It is an immersive whisky attraction on Princes Street in Edinburgh where you explore the history of Johnnie Walker and enjoy interactive tastings, cocktails, a rooftop bar, food, and a whisky shop.
The tour guides you through the story of Johnnie Walker with multimedia exhibits and includes personalized whisky cocktails based on your flavour profile.
Children aged 8 and over can attend with a valid ticket but must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older.
Yes, non‑alcoholic drinks are available during the tour, and you can even get a miniature “driver’s kit” to take home.
Yes, the Johnnie Walker Experience is fully accessible with wheelchair access throughout the building.
The shop stocks limited editions and exclusive whiskies you may not find elsewhere, and the rooftop 1820 Bar has spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle.
Most visitors spend around 90 minutes on the main Journey of Flavour tour before exploring the bar or shop.
