Its always whisky season in Scotland!

Scotland

One of the many (many) reasons I love what I do is that it takes me to stunning locales and gives me the opportunity to have amazing experiences! And I just returned from one such, having crossed out a bucket list item in the process!

The lovely (and indulgent) folks at Diageo, the largest alcoholic beverage company in the known universe, who own legendary brands such as Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Baileys, Guinness and far too many more to name, were kind enough to invite me to have the “Scotch Experience” in Edinburgh, Scotland, and it was AMAZING, to say the least!

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Off to the land of Scotch tonight! Woot woot! #Scotland #Edinburgh #LearnScotch #LoveScotch #Whisky @missmalini

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 22, 2017 at 7:36am PDT

Here’s a blow by blow account of everything that blew me away!

1. Head in the clouds

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Even the clouds above #Scotland are dramatically beautiful! #LoveScotch #LearnScotch @missmalini

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 23, 2017 at 4:06am PDT

Sorry Scotland, I took pictures in your airspace!

2. The Hotel

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When your hotel looks like a palace! The @PrincipalEdinburgh, formerly The George! Home for the next few days! #Scotland #Edinburgh #LoveScotch #LearnScotch @missmalini

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 23, 2017 at 5:25am PDT

The Principal, (Formerly The George), an absolutely beautiful hotel on George Street! Can you believe this building was constructed circa 1780!? And, it turns out, the night before I checked in, they were awarded the Scottish Hotel of the Year 2017, at the Scottish Hotel Awards!

3. Of course a bagpiper!

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Can't miss the customary Scottish Bagpiper when in #Scotland! #Edinburgh #Bagpiper #LoveScotch #LearnScotch @missmalini

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 23, 2017 at 10:02am PDT

4. Edinburgh, you beauty!

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Can't get over how beautiful #Edinburgh is! The @kingofclubsin for @missmalini in #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch @missmalini @khushboobenani

A post shared by MissMalini♀️💜 (@missmalini) on Apr 24, 2017 at 1:03am PDT

A perfect blend of the old world and new, Edinburgh is easily one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

5. The Glenkinchie Distillery

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Hahaha trust you to ride a barrel! Having fun I see! #Repost @kingofclubsin ・・・ Always wanted to ride a barrel! Clearly I'm excited to check out the #Glenkinchie distillery! Such a beautiful campus 12 miles outside of #Edinburgh! #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch @missmalini @khushboobenani

A post shared by MissMalini♀️💜 (@missmalini) on Apr 24, 2017 at 10:09am PDT

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Wouldn't you like to be somewhere this beautiful? #Repost @kingofclubsin ・・・ What's the first thing you do on a Monday morning at a distillery in Scotland? Have a dram of whisky of course! #Glenkinchie #LoveScotch #LearnScotch @khushboobenani

A post shared by MissMalini♀️💜 (@missmalini) on Apr 24, 2017 at 11:42am PDT

The 180 year old Glenkinchie Distillery is located in the beautiful region of East Lothian, 30 minutes from Edinburgh. Glenkinchie is a classic lowland distillery, set in an idyllic landscape of rolling barley fields. The local Lammermuir Hills provide the water for the distillery, producing the light, fruity, dry Edinburgh Malt.

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The Still House where every drop of #Glenkinchie Whisky ever made passes through for distillation! #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch #whisky #distillery #scotchwhisky @missmalini

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 24, 2017 at 10:29am PDT

6. Trying the good stuff!

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No #distillery tour is complete without a #Whisky tasting session! What a way to end a beautiful day at the #Glenkinchie distillery! Learnt so many fascinating things about blended Scotch and Single Malts, it's history and the process of creating the best Whiskies in the world! #LoveScotch #LearnScotch #Scotland @missmalini

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 24, 2017 at 11:37am PDT

And who better to do a tasting with than Dr.Nicholas Morgan, Head of Whisky Outreach for Diageo, a veteran historian who setup the Whisky Archives for Diageo! Was such an honor meeting Dr. Nick, who is a treasure trove of information on Whisky and especially Scotch, and I can safely say that 75% of my Whisky knowledge now comes from him! His agenda is to move scotch whisky blends away from its perceived snob value, of being too exclusive, and to dispel the myths about drinking Scotch, and make it accessible and easy for everyone to understand! I’m his new

7. Cocktails & Dreams!

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Such a pleasure learning how to make a delicious Indian spice infused Whisky Cocktail with Tom Jones (@whiskyexplorer), Global Scotch Whisky Ambassador, Johnnie Walker Global Ambassador! #LoveScotch #LearnScotch #lovemyjob #whisky #cocktail #scotland @diageobarac @diageo #scotch #Kingofclubs #kingofclubsin @missmalini

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 28, 2017 at 1:32am PDT

I had the immense pleasure of meeting (the hilarious) Tom Jones, Global Scotch Whisky and Johnnie Walker Ambassador, who taught me how to make amazing cocktails using blended Scotch Whisky. And delicious ones at that!

8. The Diageo Archives & The Liquid Library

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Blown away! #johnniewalker #StridingMan #LoveScotch #LearnScotch @missmalini

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 25, 2017 at 8:38am PDT

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This is my new most favourite room in the entire world! The Liquid Archives at the #Diageo campus In Scotland has to be seen to be believed! 5000 bottles of alcoholic beverages, some dating back 100s of years! And this is not open to the public, super chuffed that I got to see it! #LoveScotch #LearnScotch #whisky

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 25, 2017 at 7:04am PDT

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One #boomerang at the Diageo Liquid Archive couldn't hurt! #LoveScotch #LearnScotch @missmalini

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 25, 2017 at 8:46am PDT

This was probably my jaw drop moment in this trip, checking out the archives that hold the collective history of Scotch, from the first recorded mention in the 1500s if I’m not mistaken. And in the same premises was the Liquid Library, which stores over 5000 bottles of Alcoholic Beverages, some dating back centuries!

9. Size always matters!

The Diageo Cambus Cooperage is the new GBP 10 million cooperage that is situated within Diageo’s ridiculously huge Blackgrange complex. This is a warehouse facility of staggering proportions, the sheer scale of which will not sink in unless you drive through it. Blackgrange has 14 km of roadway connecting over 50 warehouses that hold four million casks of whisky – that’s approximately one fifth of all of the Scotch maturing in the world!

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Casually chilling with some whisky casks at the Diageo Cambus Cooperage, where the casks used for maturing whiskeys are maintained, refurbished and stored! Amazing place! #LoveScotch #LearnScotch

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 25, 2017 at 9:07am PDT

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Opening a cask for rejuvenation at the #Diageo Cooperage! The guy who does this is called a Cooper, and in their history, most Coopers have worked all their lives here, generation after generation! #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 25, 2017 at 9:18am PDT

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And today I learned I will never be able to go back to the #Diageo Cambus Cooperage again cos I break things! #wasntme #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch #cask @missmalini

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 25, 2017 at 9:19am PDT

Clearly I wasn’t very good at putting a cask together!

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Gotta get me a little distilling still like this at home to make my own whisky! What do you say @candymanlondon?#Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch @missmalini

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 25, 2017 at 3:06am PDT

The Diageo Abercrombie Coppersmiths, where the distilling stills used in the whisky making process are made.

10. The food, oh the food!

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#doubletap if you like oysters!!! #Repost @kingofclubsin ・・・ #Seafood heaven! Scottish and British oysters, with a view! #Ondine #Edinburgh #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch @missmalini

A post shared by MissMalini♀️💜 (@missmalini) on Apr 25, 2017 at 7:14am PDT

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Happiness on a plate in #Edinburgh, for beef lovers in India, an Orkney Rib of Beef with Pied Bleu Mushrooms, Wild garlic and Thin Cut Chips! #Ondine apparently does beef just as well as #seafood! #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 24, 2017 at 2:03pm PDT

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Damn look at that lunch spread at the Diageo archives in #Scotland! Umm, you can spoil me anytime you want like this #Diageo! #LoveScotch #LearnScotch #food #FoodComa #PorkPie #Cheese #Duck #lunch

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 25, 2017 at 9:29am PDT

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As authentic as it gets- the perfect #FishandChips at @DeaconBrodies #Tavern, an institution in #Edinburgh! #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch @missmalini

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 23, 2017 at 1:45pm PDT

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Another meal checked off- The Famous Steak & Ale Pie at the legendary The World's End, Edinburgh! #FoodComa #steak #Ale #Pie #worldsend

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 26, 2017 at 10:41am PDT

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A barber shop that's actually a bar?! #LoveIt #Repost @kingofclubsin ・・・ One of the coolest cocktails bars in #Edinburgh, @pandaandsons! Looks like a barber shop from the outside, awesome #speakeasy on the inside! A must do if you're in Edinburgh! #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch @missmalini

A post shared by MissMalini♀️💜 (@missmalini) on Apr 25, 2017 at 7:20am PDT

11. The Michelin Experience – The Kitchin.

The Kitchin is a world renowned Michelin Starred restaurant in Leith, Edinburgh, headed by Chef Tom Kitchin, whose philosophy of ‘From Nature to Plate’, is a reflection of his passion for the finest, freshest Scottish seasonal produce, and presents modern British cuisine influenced by French cooking techniques.

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Super excited to dine at the legendary Michelin Starred @TheKitchin in Edinburgh tonight with @foodtalkindia and @beccytheone! This is going to be epic! #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch #Michelin #food #Cuisine #finedining

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 25, 2017 at 12:56pm PDT

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#Michelin Starter- Crispy veal sweetbreads from Inverurie served with Wye Valley asparagus wrapped in pancetta. Goddamit that was ridiculously delicious, I want more!!! #Edinburgh #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 25, 2017 at 1:23pm PDT

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I don't know whether to eat my main course or make love to it! A selection of Scotch beef served with a bone marrow potato, roasted and raw artichoke and young radish. That was perfection @thekitchin! #Edinburgh #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 25, 2017 at 2:03pm PDT

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Pre dessert at the @thekitchin tastes better than most desserts I've had! #michelin #star #Edinburgh #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch @missmalini

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 25, 2017 at 5:57pm PDT

12. Edinburgh Castle

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A quick peek inside the amazing #EdinburghCastle, Scotland! Brilliant way to spend an afternoon, learning the history of the Scots! #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch #Travel #Castle #History #Scots #Scotch #Edinburgh #timetravel

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 26, 2017 at 12:13pm PDT

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Probably the best vantage point in all of #Edinburgh, from the top of the #Edinburghcastle! #Scotland #LoveScotch #LearnScotch

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 26, 2017 at 5:35am PDT

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Such a supremely fascinating walk through the #EdinburghCastle! The history will keep you riveted! #History #Scots #Travel #Scotch #timetravel

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 26, 2017 at 12:27pm PDT

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Yup, still in focus! #KingOfClubs #kingofclubsin #partyninja #curatorofcool #focus #edinburghcastle #edinburgh #scotland #travel

A post shared by Rij Eappen (@kingofclubsin) on Apr 30, 2017 at 8:16am PDT

Whether you love Whisky or just love traveling, Scotland HAS to be on your “Top 5 places to visit before i die” list, and if you do, make sure you visit a distillery! You won’t regret it!

For more inside scoop on my escapades and experiences in nightlife and lifestyle in India and around the world, celeb interviews and men’s fashion, follow me on @kingofclubsIn on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat!