I did the obligatory bucket list golf trip a few years ago; played most of the Open Championship venues in Scotland.
A group of 8 went, and we had a great time with the locals.
It seems every restaurant is a pub, with a huge selection of beer on tap and no two sites the same.
The bar-keeps live to spar with you, in a warm-hearted way.
One was giving us "yanks" a bit of a poke in a small bar-eatery in St. Andrews. After taking heat for not drinking enough nectar of the gods, he stood us all a taste of about 10 or 11 samples -- probably about 100 pounds retail of top Scottish distillate.
Not being a connoisseur, I was not impressed with some of their best -- too smoky and dry, reminding me of something like paint thinner.
I thought the nose and flavor notes of a Glenmorangie 16 were palatable, so I settled for a double shot of that.
To my request, the tender said, "Aw, ga on weeth yer bod self, ya wee girl; me wife drinks thot *****".
Well, I developed more of a taste for the stuff over the next week of daily doses, my manhood being unexpectedly challenged.
A local patron in a cozy establishment in North Berwick (pronounced bear-ick) also stood us a taster, because he wanted to be sure that "you yanks donnae ga home but knoe the life bload". By then, I had grown to like GlenDronach 12 and Glen Alba 22; I'd say these are the best for money, costing 50 pounds or so (probably about $80 dollars here).
We also went to the Glenkinchie distillery, and got a better education and tasting experience.
Their Distillers Edition is really nice, but >$100 over here.
Take the trip even if you don't play golf; the food, spirits, and people are otherworldly. (haggis is actually good)
