I tried first 'whiskies' from one of Scotland’s smallest distilleries - it's a truly unique experience

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But not many distilleries offer the chance to sample their maturing spirit, ahead of their first whisky release. This is what’s newly on offer at one of Scotland’s smallest distilleries.

Stirling distillery has recently launched the Becoming Tour; an hour and a half experience where only 10 guests will get to sample maturing spirit from various different casks to fully immerse themselves into the DNA of what will become Stirling’s first single malt release, which is due in June 2027.

I visited on a sunny day in late May to be one of the first to experience this new tour from Stirling Distillery.

Guided by founder Cameron McCann, we tried five samples each drawn at different stages across two years of maturing and different casks. At our tasting these cask samples were from bourbon, firkin, oloroso sherry and PX sherry as well as a sample of the distillery’s award-winning new make spirit.

While all were complex and interesting samples, it was the firkin cask that stood out with its nutty, cereal notes and real depth - the likes of which you might not expect from such a new spirit.

With a lovely grazing box of meats and cheeses available for all guests, the informal nature of the tour - Cameron won’t provide official tasting notes but is partial to a brilliant story or two - the time passes quickly and easily with plenty of time to discuss the spirits in front of us.

The tour ended with a look around the tiny distillery, a chance to meet award-winning head distiller Hugo McCann and fill a sample bottle with that day’s new make spirit to take home.

Of the Becoming Tour Cameron McCann said: “Tasting the spirit at different points in its development tells a story that a single sample never could. You start to understand what maturation actually means, not as a concept, but as something you can taste.”

Hugo McCann added: “Every sample in that flight represents a decision we have made: the cask, the conditions, the time. Sharing that with guests while it is still happening feels like the most honest thing we can do.”

A family-run affair in a small space is always going to be special but this tour will bring whisky fans and those that are keen to know more about Stirling distillery together in a unique experience the likes of which aren’t often available at bigger brand homes.

With one session available each month, and with only space for 10 guests, it’s well worth booking a spot to see just how exciting this small but mighty distillery is.

Each monthly session costs £100 per person and includes the tasting flight, a grazing board of cheese, charcuterie and fruit, and a take-home sample drawn directly from the still. Guests are recorded in the distillery’s Founders’ Ledger. Full details and booking are available on the Stirling distillery website.