The Best Distilleries in Wales 2026: Whisky, Gin and Tours Guide

By the Wales.org Travel Team | Updated April 2026

Wales has undergone a spirits revolution. Twenty-five years ago, Welsh whisky did not exist commercially — the last distillery had closed in 1894. Today, Penderyn Single Malt is exported to over 50 countries, Aber Falls has put North Welsh whisky on the map, and a wave of craft gin distilleries from Swansea to the Llŷn Peninsula has turned Wales into one of the most exciting spirits destinations in the UK.

Whether you want to tour a world-class whisky distillery, learn how gin is made with foraged Welsh botanicals, or distil your own bottle at a gin school, this is the definitive guide to the best distilleries in Wales for 2026.

Welsh Distillery Tours at a Glance

Welsh Whisky Distilleries

Penderyn Distillery — The Home of Welsh Whisky

Penderyn Distillery is the most important name in Welsh spirits. Founded in 2000, it revived Welsh whisky after a 100-year hiatus, releasing its first single malt on St David’s Day 2004 in the presence of the then Prince of Wales (now King Charles III). In the two decades since, Penderyn has collected over 150 international awards and exports to more than 50 countries. In 2026, the distillery marked a landmark moment with the release of its first aged-statement whiskies — including a 25-year-old expression drawn from Barrel No. 1.

Penderyn now operates three distilleries across Wales, each with its own character and visitor experience:

Penderyn Brecon Beacons (HQ) — The original distillery sits in the foothills of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons). Open seven days a week, with hour-long guided tours, whisky masterclasses (2.5–3 hours, tasting 7 expressions), a well-stocked shop, and corporate experiences. This is the flagship visitor site.

Penderyn Llandudno — Opened in May 2021 in a beautifully restored Grade II listed Victorian school on Lloyd Street in Llandudno. This is the dedicated home of Penderyn’s peated whiskies. Open Wednesday to Sunday, with tours available Thursday to Sunday. Just two blocks from the promenade, it has quickly become one of Llandudno’s major attractions.

Penderyn Swansea Copperworks — Opened in June 2023 at the historic Hafod Morfa Copperworks site near the Swansea.com Stadium. A state-of-the-art facility that bridges Wales’s industrial past with its distilling future, including an immersive exhibition on the history of Swansea’s copper industry. Open Wednesday to Saturday.

Across all three sites, Penderyn welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually. Tour prices start from £13.50 per adult. Advance booking is essential, especially for masterclasses and weekend tours.

Aber Falls Distillery — Best Whisky Distillery in North Wales

Aber Falls Distillery opened in Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd, in 2017 and has quickly established itself as one of Wales’s most exciting distilleries. Their gins and liqueurs have won multiple awards, and they have been central to the campaign for Welsh whisky to receive Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) — a legally protected designation that ensures Welsh Single Malt Whisky meets strict production standards.

Aber Falls released its first 100% Welsh single malt whisky in 2021 — the first commercial whisky from North Wales in over a century. The visitor centre and bistro are open seven days a week, with tours running between 10am and 4pm lasting approximately one hour. The distillery also champions sustainability, sending waste products to local farms for use as fertiliser and animal feed.

Coles Distillery — Largest Craft Distillery in Wales

In the ancient village of Llanddarog, Carmarthenshire, sits Coles Distillery — a family-run operation and the largest craft distillery in Wales. Tours take around an hour for groups of up to 30, beginning with the distillery’s unique history before moving through the production process: mashing whisky grains, weighing gin botanicals, and watching the spirits take shape.

Tours conclude at the bar of the White Hart Inn, a pub dating back to 1371, where you can sample the finished spirits. The combination of a working distillery and a 650-year-old pub makes this one of the most characterful distillery visits in Wales.

Dà Mhìle Distillery — Best Organic Distillery in Wales

Glynhynod Farm, the home of Dà Mhìle Distillery, has been run by the Savage-Onstwedders family since 1981. This Dutch family set up a self-sufficient organic farm in Ceredigion before branching into distilling in 1992, making it one of the earliest craft distilleries in Wales. They produce an extraordinary range: single malt whisky, seaweed gin, apple brandy, and more — all from organic ingredients.

Gin tastings are held in the 17th-century gallery on-site. Sessions cost from £5 per person, last approximately 30 minutes, and must be booked in advance. Full distillery tours are available for groups by arrangement.

Welsh Gin Distilleries and Gin Schools

Cardiff Distillery Gin School — Best Gin Experience in Wales

At Cardiff’s first Gin School, you make your very own gin from start to finish. Choose your botanicals, operate your own still, then bottle and label your creation. While crafting, the distiller explains the process over a complimentary gin, and when you are finished, they make you a G&T with your own gin, served alongside a food platter.

Sessions last two hours, run Tuesday to Saturday, and must be booked in advance. Your recipe is kept on record, so when you finish the bottle you can reorder. This is an excellent experience day or gift for gin enthusiasts visiting Cardiff.

Cygnet Gin, Swansea — Best Guided Gin Masterclass

Cygnet Gin has deep Swansea roots, with a recipe partly inspired by a 19th-century cholera cure attempt. The Cygnet Experience costs £49.95 per person (over-18s only), lasts around two and a half hours, and accommodates up to six guests. It begins with cocktails at Juniper Place before moving behind the scenes for the bottling process, a guided tasting of three gins, and a Cygnet Masterclass certificate. Participants receive a 20% discount on products.

Silver Circle Distillery, Monmouthshire — Best Foraged Gin

In the heart of the Wye Valley, Silver Circle Distillery hand-distils and hand-bottles every bottle using locally foraged botanicals. Tours accommodate up to 30 guests and cover the full gin-making process from botanical foraging to bottling, finishing with a tasting. Group discounts are available and coach parking is on-site. Booking is recommended for large parties.

In the Welsh Wind, Ceredigion — Best Coastal Gin Distillery

Overlooking Cardigan Bay, In the Welsh Wind describes itself as a “maverick” distillery — innovative and unafraid to experiment. Their Gin Tasting Experience (£25pp) begins with a welcome cocktail and includes three Welsh gins from some of Wales’s smallest distilleries, with an interactive tasting and discussion.

For a more hands-on experience, the Gin Distillery Experience (£145 for up to two people) lets you craft your own 70cl bottle of gin at your own still. Both experiences must be booked in advance. Private group tastings are available for four or more.

Welsh Whisky: A Brief History

Whisky had been distilled in Wales for centuries, but the last commercial distillery closed in 1894 — largely due to the temperance movement. For over 100 years, Welsh whisky was simply a memory. That changed in 2000 when Penderyn was founded, and its first single malt was released on St David’s Day 2004. Since then, Aber Falls, Dà Mhìle, and Coles have joined the Welsh whisky movement. In 2026, Welsh Single Malt Whisky holds Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status — a legally protected designation that puts it alongside Scotch, Irish, and Japanese whisky as a recognised category of world whisky.

A note on spelling: in keeping with Welsh and Scottish tradition, Welsh whisky is spelled without the ‘e’ — whisky, not whiskey. The ‘whiskey’ spelling is used for Irish and most American products.

Planning a Welsh Distillery Trail

Wales’s distilleries are spread across the country, but several pair naturally with other attractions. Penderyn Brecon Beacons combines with the Brecon Beacons and the Brecon Mountain Railway. Penderyn Llandudno pairs with a Llandudno day out. In the Welsh Wind and Dà Mhìle are both in Ceredigion and can be combined with a trip along Cardigan Bay. Coles Distillery is close to the Carmarthenshire countryside and the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

For accommodation, browse hotels and holiday cottages. The Wales interactive map is useful for plotting routes. For more Welsh food and drink, see our guides to the best brewery tours in Wales, the best pubs in Wales, and our food and drink section. Please drink responsibly — for more information, visit Drinkaware.

Frequently Asked Questions About Distilleries in Wales

What is the best distillery to visit in Wales?

Penderyn Distillery is the best distillery to visit in Wales. The flagship site in the Brecon Beacons offers hour-long tours seven days a week, whisky masterclasses, and a well-stocked shop. Penderyn also has distilleries in Llandudno and Swansea Copperworks, each with their own tours. Across all three sites, Penderyn welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually.

Is Welsh whisky any good?

Welsh whisky is now internationally recognised and award-winning. Penderyn Single Malt has won over 150 international awards, including multiple Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the World Whiskies Awards. Welsh whisky also holds Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, ensuring it meets strict production standards.

How many distilleries are there in Wales?

Wales has a growing number of distilleries producing whisky, gin, vodka, rum, and other spirits. Major operations include Penderyn (three sites), Aber Falls, Coles Distillery, Dà Mhìle, and In the Welsh Wind. Smaller craft distilleries include Silver Circle, Cygnet Gin, and Cardiff Distillery. The total exceeds 15, with new distilleries opening regularly.

Can you make your own gin in Wales?

Yes. Cardiff Distillery Gin School lets guests distil their own gin — choosing botanicals, operating a personal still, and bottling and labelling the finished product. Sessions run Tuesday to Saturday and last two hours. In the Welsh Wind in Ceredigion also offers a gin distillery experience (£145 for up to two people).

Do you need to book distillery tours in Wales?

Yes, advance booking is required or strongly recommended for all Welsh distillery tours. Penderyn, Aber Falls, Coles Distillery, Silver Circle, and In the Welsh Wind all require bookings. Most can be booked via each distillery’s website.

What spirits are made in Wales?

Wales produces single malt whisky (Penderyn, Aber Falls, Dà Mhìle), gin (Brecon Gin, Aber Falls, Silver Circle, Cygnet, In the Welsh Wind), vodka (Penderyn Five Vodka), rum, apple brandy (Dà Mhìle), cream liqueurs (Penderyn Merlyn), and flavoured liqueurs. Welsh Single Malt Whisky now holds PGI status — a protected designation ensuring quality and authenticity.

Nick

Nick, your trusted guide to Wales travel and exploration, shares a deep passion for this enchanting land. With years of exploration, Nick offers expert insights into the best of Wales. Join him on a journey through its captivating history, culture, and hidden gems, as he inspires you to create unforgettable Welsh travel experiences.