Craigs Deluxe Whisky Tour Review: An Invergordon Shore Trip
A First-Hand Look at Leaving the Port of Invergordon
So stepping off the cruise ship in Invergordon feels like, you know, a breath of completely fresh, crisp Highland air. It’s pretty much an instant change from the ship’s recycled atmosphere, and that sharp scent of sea salt and maybe just a hint of damp earth honestly gets you ready for the day ahead. You will find that finding the Craigs Tours representative is actually pretty straightforward. Basically, they tell you exactly where to go, and there they are, typically with a very clear sign and a really warm smile. At the end of the day, there’s none of that confusing searching that you sometimes get with shore excursions, which is, frankly, a massive relief when your time on land is a little bit limited. We were, in a way, quickly gathered and introduced to our guide for the day, a fellow with a proper Scottish accent who, like, immediately made everyone feel welcome.
Our transport for the day was, in fact, a very comfortable Mercedes minibus, which honestly felt a bit more personal than a giant coach. With a smaller group, it’s just that much easier to chat with your fellow passengers and, you know, ask the guide questions without feeling like you’re shouting. The seats were quite plush, and the large windows were absolutely perfect for the views we were about to see, which is, obviously, a big part of the whole thing. Our guide, Ian, started with some safety instructions and a quick rundown of our plan for the day, and his friendly manner, you know, kind of set a very relaxed tone for everyone. He was apparently very experienced with cruise ship timetables, reassuring us we’d have a full day and still be back with absolutely heaps of time to spare, which is a big deal when you are worried about the ship leaving. Honestly, that initial peace of mind is something you can learn more about valuing on these trips.
As we pulled away from the industrial look of the port, the scenery pretty much started changing almost immediately. In some respects, the town of Invergordon gives way to rolling green hills dotted with sheep faster than you would expect. Ian began his storytelling right away, not just with a dry history lesson, but with really interesting local tales and jokes that got a few chuckles from the group. He was, actually, pointing out old farmsteads and explaining the history of the Cromarty Firth. It felt more or less like a road trip with a very knowledgeable local friend instead of a formal tour. This storytelling part of the experience, as a matter of fact, is something that a lot of people look for in a really good guide. To be honest, this casual and friendly start made me feel like we had definitely made the right choice for our day in the Highlands.
The Glenmorangie Experience: Not Just Another Distillery
So, our first destination was the famous Glenmorangie Distillery, and the sight of its stone buildings with the classic pagoda roofs against the sky is, honestly, just like seeing a postcard in real life. You sort of know what to expect, but seeing it is still really special. Right, the history of this place is actually pretty deep, and the guide inside the distillery did a wonderful job of explaining how it grew from a small local operation into a brand that is, you know, known all over the globe. He talked about the “Sixteen Men of Tain,” the small group of craftspeople who have been making the whisky there for generations, which gives the whole operation a very personal touch. You almost feel like you’re stepping into a working museum, a place where tradition is just as important as the whisky itself. Clearly, exploring the heritage of a brand like this adds a lot of meaning to the tasting.
Walking through the still house at Glenmorangie is, well, an incredible experience for the senses. You can feel the heat coming off the enormous copper stills—which are, by the way, the tallest in all of Scotland. The guide explained that their height is what supposedly gives Glenmorangie its very light and fruity character, as only the purest vapors make it to the top. The air inside is very thick with the sweet, malty smell of the mash and, of course, that ever-present “angel’s share,” the faint aroma of evaporating spirit that hangs in the rafters. It’s a smell that you honestly can’t find anywhere else, a combination of oak, grain, and something almost magical. We got to see the whole process, from the milling of the barley to the maturation in their special designer casks, and frankly, it gives you a whole new respect for the bottle on the shelf.
Now, for the main event: the tasting. This was set up in a very nicely arranged room, with each place setting holding several glasses, each with a small measure of a different Glenmorangie expression. Our tasting guide walked us through how to properly sample the whisky—how to look at the color, how to nose it to pick up the aromas, and finally, how to taste it to get the full profile. We started with The Original, their classic 10-year-old, with its notes of citrus and vanilla, and then we moved on to some of their more interesting cask finishes, like the Lasanta, which is finished in sherry casks. Each one was completely different, and it was fascinating to hear people in our group pick up different flavors. The whole experience was very educational but also just really enjoyable, like, without any of the snobbery you might worry about. It was, in a way, the perfect introduction to Highland malts.
“Actually, you know, the most surprising thing about Glenmorangie wasn’t the taste of the whisky, which was fantastic, but the sheer height of the copper stills. They’re like giraffes in a cathedral. It’s really something you just have to see.”
Journey Through the Highlands to the Next Dram
The drive between the distilleries is, pretty much, an experience all by itself. So, after leaving the well-known name of Glenmorangie, we ventured deeper into the countryside, and this is where Ian, our guide, really came into his own. He apparently knew every bend in the road and every hill on the horizon. The landscape just opens up in a way that’s hard to describe; it’s all sweeping vistas, patches of dark forest, and narrow country lanes called “single-track roads.” Ian navigated these with incredible skill while keeping up a stream of chatter that was actually really captivating. You could tell he had a genuine affection for his homeland, and that sort of thing is very infectious. It really made you feel like you were getting an insider’s look at this part of Scotland.
As we were driving, he would point out things you would just never notice on your own. For example, he showed us a field where a historic clan battle was fought and told us the story behind it, complete with all the dramatic details. Then, around another corner, he’d point out a specific hill and share some local folklore about fairies or giants. It was literally like having a live-action history and mythology channel right there in the minibus. He also talked about the practicalities of life in the Highlands today, which was fascinating stuff. Honestly, these personal stories are what make a tour memorable; they’re the bits you talk about when you get home. It’s definitely more than just getting from one place to another; these stories kind of color in the scenery for you.
By the way, Ian was also really good at creating a great atmosphere within our small group. He learned everyone’s names pretty quickly and would, you know, draw different people into the conversation. He asked about where we were all from and found common ground, so it quickly stopped feeling like a bus of strangers. We had a few stops at some scenic viewpoints along the way, too, for pictures. One spot, in particular, looked out over the Dornoch Firth and was just breathtakingly beautiful, even with a little bit of classic Scottish mist hanging in the air. This little break also gave everyone a chance to stretch their legs and just soak in the silence of the Highlands, which is, in its own way, just as intoxicating as the whisky we were there to sample.
Discovering the Special Charm of Balblair Distillery
Arriving at Balblair Distillery feels very different from Glenmorangie, and that is absolutely a good thing. So, if Glenmorangie is like the polished global ambassador, Balblair is sort of like its charming, slightly rustic, and very authentic cousin. The distillery is one of the oldest in Scotland, and you can honestly feel that history in its old stone buildings and cobbled courtyard. There’s not as much modern branding or visitor center gloss here; it just feels more down-to-earth and, in some respects, more real. Our group was basically handed over to one of the distillery’s own guides, a woman who seemed to know every single person working there by name. This immediately created a much more intimate feeling for the tour. You got the sense that you were being welcomed into a tight-knit community, not just processed as a tourist.
The tour here felt, in fact, a lot more hands-on. Because it’s a smaller operation, we were able to get, you know, a bit closer to everything. We stood right next to the open-topped mash tun and could literally watch the thick, porridge-like mixture being stirred. The guide encouraged us to touch the warm copper of the stills and to take a big sniff from the open top of a fermenting vessel—a seriously pungent but fascinating smell of yeast and alcohol being born. The warehouse was also a highlight; it was a traditional dunnage warehouse with an earthen floor and barrels stacked only a few high. She explained how this kind of warehouse helps the whisky breathe and mature differently from modern racked warehouses. This is where you really get to appreciate the old ways of doing things.
At the end of the day, the tasting at Balblair was just as special as the tour. Instead of focusing on different cask finishes, Balblair’s unique selling point is its focus on “vintages.” Instead of an age statement like “12-year-old,” their bottles are marked with the year the spirit was distilled. So we got to try a flight of different vintages, and it was really interesting to taste how the character of the spirit changes from year to year, even when it’s made in more or less the same way. The person leading the tasting was incredibly passionate and described the flavors with a lot of character—talking about notes of leather and spice in an older vintage, or green apples and honey in a younger one. It felt less like a formal lesson and more like sharing a dram with a friend who really, really loves what they do. This more personal approach was something the whole group seemed to pretty much enjoy.
A Final Dram at Dalmore and Practical Thoughts
So, our final stop of the day was The Dalmore Distillery, which in a way sits somewhere between the scale of Glenmorangie and the intimacy of Balblair. It is perhaps best known for its iconic silver stag logo on every bottle, a nod to the Mackenzie clan who once owned it. Apparently, an ancestor of the clan saved King Alexander III from a charging stag, which is a pretty cool story. You can really see that they lean into this regal history; the place feels quite distinguished and proud. At this point in the day, another full tour might have been a bit much, but our guide, Ian, had it perfectly timed for just a tasting experience. This was a really smart move, as a matter of fact, as it let us appreciate the whisky without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by more information.
The Dalmore tasting was, you know, a fittingly luxurious end to our whisky explorations. The Dalmore is famous for its rich, full-bodied character, which often comes from maturing in a wide variety of different sherry casks. We sampled their core expressions, including the 12-year-old and the Cigar Malt Reserve. To be honest, this was a heavier, more complex style of whisky than what we’d had earlier, with deep notes of chocolate, orange, and Christmas spice. It was a really fantastic contrast and showed just how diverse Highland malts can be. The tasting room itself was very elegant, and it was a great final chance for our group to sit together and share our thoughts on the day’s discoveries. For those looking to bring home a very special bottle, the selection at the distillery shop was pretty extensive. It’s a really great opportunity to find something unique.
On the drive back to the port at Invergordon, the mood in the minibus was very happy and, frankly, a little bit sleepy. Ian put on some gentle Scottish music and kept the stories going, but at a more relaxed pace. This was the perfect time to think about some practical advice for anyone considering this trip. First, you should definitely eat a good breakfast before you go, because you’ll be tasting a fair amount of whisky before lunch. Second, you know, wear comfortable shoes because you will be on your feet and walking around the distilleries. Lastly, listen to your guide’s advice on pacing yourself with the samples. You can absolutely use the spittoons provided if you want to sample everything without overdoing it. At the end of the day, it’s about tasting the flavors, not just about the alcohol.
“Frankly, the best part of the whole day was the variety. We saw a big famous brand, a small traditional place, and then a really luxurious one. You don’t just taste the whisky; you kind of get a feel for the different personalities behind it.”
