Cask Connoisseur has recently unveiled its list of the most popular distilleries in the UK and Ireland. The firm has released their fourth annual ranking of whisky making distilleries based on public reviews.
The Cask Connoisseur was founded by three friends who set up their business to share their knowledge of the worlds of brewing and distilling, while offering expert services to those within the drinks industry.
After analysing a number of metrics - namely figures from Google ratings and reviews, TripAdvisor ratings and reviews, and social media metrics covering facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn -, Cask Connoisseur has ranked 295 distilleries based in an overall index score of 3,564.
Of course, this isn’t a ranking of the UK and Ireland’s best whiskies; rather each distillery’s popularity based on social media reach and online following.
So who is the most popular distillery? Read on to find out.
10. MICIL DISITLLERY
Despite being a relative newcomer, having only opened in 2016, Micil Distillery is already earning a strong enough reputation to make an impact in these lists. It earned the sixth spot in 2023, before dropping out the top ten (but sticking in the top twenty) over the next couple of years. It breaks back into the elite with an index score of 2,313.5.
The Galway-based distillery produces a range of gin and poitin as well as whiskey, no doubt broadening their appeal as both a brand to buy and a distillery to visit.
9. ISLE OF HARRIS
Based in the Outer Hebrides, the Isle of Harris distillery might not be the most straight forward to visit but is certainly worth the trip. It’s a stunningly picturesque site that more than matches the quality of their increasingly popular gins and whiskies.
This year’s score of 2,320 meant Isle of Harris was the highest climber in the top ten distilleries, jumping from 32 in last year’s list.
It was recently revealed that the distillery is thought to have contributed more than £13 million to the economy since it opened in 2016. Check out our recent article “Island Distillery Generates £13 Million for Economy” for more information.
8. DINGLE DISTILLERY
Rising from 9th place last year with an index score of 2326, Dingle Distillery in County Derry is another distillery whose scenic location alone makes it worth the visit. The tours and tastings have scored particularly highly in the visitor reviews.
7. ISLE OF RAASAY
The second Scottish distillery on this list is another Hebridean producer that is making waves in spite of not being the most established brand in the country. Isle of Raasay sets itself apart by offering luxury accommodation at the distillery, including the five new bothies that were built last year.
The distillery’s 2026 index score of 2,350.5 helped it rise from last year’s tenth place finish. Raasay’s Tripadvisor score particularly helped its rating, with the distillery rated in the top 10% of places to visit in the world.
6. COTSWOLDS
Cotswolds distillery is seen as one of the leading figures in the burgeoning English whisky scene, and that’s definitely reflected in its status as the only English distillery in the top ten of this list. However, there may be some disappointment with the distillery having fallen from second in 2025, and topping the list the year before.
Nevertheless it remains an incredibly popular distillery. Set in a serene corner of the English countryside, Cotswolds’ Hidden Still Cocktail Bar offers guests unique takes on the distillery’s whiskies, gins, and liqueurs.
5. EDEN MILL
Climbing from 23rd place in the 2025 list, Eden Mill survived a financial scare just after opening their new distillery last year. The distillery’s index score of 2,413.5 is boosted by its perfect 5.0 Google rating and substantial social media presence, suggesting they’re more than doing something right despite the recent trouble.
A highlight of any visit is The Lookout Cocktail bar that offers panoramic views across the Eden between drams - check out our recent article “Swing and a Whisky: Fife Distillery Launches Golf-Themed Whisky Cask Challenge” for more information.
4. KILCHOMAN
Islay is one of the most beloved whisky regions in Scotland, so it’s a little surprising to see only one distillery from the island make the top ten. While many Islay distilleries sit right on the coast, Kilchoman offers something a little different to visitors. The inland setting among fields and farms emphasises the distillery’s focus on terroir, helping tell an important part of the Kilchoman story.
While still popular, this year’s index score of 2,433 actually saw Kilchoman fall to fourth place from earning bronze in third last year.
3. LINDORES ABBEY
The so-called spiritual home of Scotch whisky is a no-brainer, must-visit for anyone interested in whisky - or indeed the history of Scotland! Hence why the Fife distillery is a popular destination for tourists from across the world.
Rising from fifth to third, Lindores’ index score of 2,448.5 has been driven by near perfect scores on Google and Tripadvisor and increasing engagement across all social media platforms.
2. GLENFIDDICH
Glenfiddich’s status as one of the biggest names in not just Scotch but world whisky is reflected in the brand’s massive social media numbers, enjoying 1.3 million followers on Facebook and 346,000 on Instagram.
That’s not all that contributed to the distillery’s index score of 2,537.5 however. The three different levels of tour and tasting experiences offered at the distillery all earned high scores across thousands of reviews.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
The top ten most popular distilleries was dominated by distilleries in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, with one English distillery represented. In terms of other UK distilleries, Copeland Distillery was the highest rated Northern Irish distillery in 18th place, and Penderyn was the top Welsh site in 24th.
Some of the biggest jumps in position seemed to come from smaller, craft distilleries. Ardgowan Distillery had the greatest jump of 125 places (196th to 71st). This is largely due to the distillery formally opening last year.
Other high risers included Henstone Distillery (96 places to joint 73rd), Nc’nean (up 65 places to 16th), and Spirit of Manchester Distillery (rising 77 places to reach 32nd).
At the other end of the spectrum, a number of distilleries experienced significant drops down the list. Bruichladdich fell out the top ten from fourth into 15th, while Springbank (13th to 107th), Glenmorangie (29th to 73rd), and relative newcomer Holyrood (19th to 77th) all fell.
As we said above, this is of course not a reflection on the quality of the whisky made at these distilleries. They are all still making great whisky. For whatever reason, there was less engagement with these brands online over the last year.
But what distillery came out on top…
1. TEELING
For the second year running, Dublin’s Teeling Distillery topped the list of the most popular distilleries in the UK and Ireland. And not by a fine margin, either; their index score of 2679.5 is more than 140 higher than second place.
The distillery benefits from being easily accessible in one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, but the distillery isn’t resting on its laurels. There has been continued investment in the distillery’s visitor centre and guest experiences since Teeling opened in 2015. Having welcomed it’s one millionth guest last summer, it will be interesting to see if Teeling can hold on to its crown next year.
Additionally, there’s been a change of ownership at the distillery, with Bacardi taking the reigns at the popular site (our recent article “Bacardi Assumes Full Control of Top Irish Whiskey Brand” for the full story). Time will tell how that affects next year’s ranking.
