Plan a tour of Scotland's distilleries. If you just want to buy single-malt scotch, save the airfare. Because of Britain's ultra-high liquor taxes (about 70 percent of the retail price), quality Scotch is far cheaper in the States or a duty-free shop. (See How to Buy Duty-free.)
Purchase these two books: Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch: The Connoisseur's Guide to the Single Malt Whiskies of Scotland (Running Press, 1999) and The Whisky Trails: A Traveller's Guide to Scotch Whisky, by Gordon Brown (Trafalgar Square, 2000). Also order the Collins Whisky Map of Scotland (William Collins & Sons Ltd., 1999).
Using the books and map, plot a course among the dozens of distilleries open to the public throughout Scotland, particularly Islay and the regions of Speyside, Scotland's famed malt whiskey country.
Look into one of the many organized tours of Scotland's distilleries that include lodging, meals and transportation. Taking such a tour is often the only way to get a real behind-the-scenes look into traditional distillery techniques and sample rare Scotches.
Join the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. If you're a die-hard Scotch lover, fork over the membership fee and join the worldwide fraternity of single-malt Scotch whiskey connoisseurs. Privileges include access to The Vaults, a 19th-century members-only whiskey lounge in Leith, the historical port of Edinburgh.
