1. Whisky: The craggy heather-covered highlands of Scotland are the source of much of the world’s best whisky. On the well-signposted Speyside whisky trail you’ll find more than a dozen distilleries within a 20-kilometre radius, many welcoming you in for a tour that ends with a complimentary wee dram. At some, such as The Glenlivet, you can even take a walk on the wild side following the legendary smugglers’ trails where illicit stills were hid. See www.maltwhiskytrail.com for some of them.
2. Bourbon: Kentucky’s famous for thoroughbred horses and bourbon, America’s only native spirit. On the bourbon trail visit Maker’s Mark, the oldest operating distillery on its original site, where you can don apron, goggles and dip your (purchased) pint of hooch into their trademark red sealing wax. www.kybourbon.com
3. Tequila: Mexico’s Tequila Train takes you on a 90-minute ride from Guadalajara to the agave fields of Jalisco, home of much of the country’s tequila. The most beautiful place to visit is Herradura distillery at the San Jose del Refugio hacienda where you learn how the agave is baked, distilled and aged. Finishing you off for the day are generous pours of tequila while a mariachi band serenades. www.visitmexico.com
4. Vodka: On the Baltic coast of Sweden is the tiny harbour town of Åhus, the sole home of Absolut, arguably the world’s most successful vodka. The town is postcard charming and the Absolut tour tells the story of how a Swedish medicine bottle became the toast of countless leading artists and a modern icon. www.absolut.com
5. Cognac: The sleepy town of Cognac north of Bordeaux on the banks of the Charente is seeped in spirits and history with its narrow cobblestone streets and warehouses full of slumbering barrels of cognac, the stonework covered in velvety black fungus that feeds on the alcohol vapours. A favourite tour is Otard, located in Château de Cognac where Francis I was born in 1494. www.otard.com
6. Rum: In Jamaica’s interior at Appleton Estate, home of fine rums since 1749, take a rum tour, which includes a documentary about the estate, a view of the 100-year-old donkey-driven mill and samples of fresh cane juice, molasses, wet sugar and, of course, Appleton rum, rum cream and liqueurs. www.appletonrum.com
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8. Flavoured vodkas: High up amidst the pine trees of Spring Mountain overlooking California’s Napa Valley is Charbay, The Still on the Hill. It’s worth the long, windy drive to sample their creative selection of flavoured vodkas made from 100-per-cent fresh ingredients (no essences or perfumes). www.charbay.com
9. Grappa: The most complex and elegant grappas come from northern Italy and no place is more famous than Bassano — the ancient town situated at the foot of Monte Grappa in Veneto. Bortolo Nardini set up there in 1779 by the River Brenta, where, to this day, there’s a shop, grappa museum and bar. Just up from the foot of historic wooden bridge over the river is the Poli Grappa Museum. www.nardinigrappa.com and www.poligrappa.com
10. Calvados: Normandy, France is home to Calvados, the world’s premier apple brandy as well as a Norman cuisine rich in cream and butter. Between dishes and meals, a calvados — or “Trou Normand” — is said to aid digestion. All over the region, producers will happily invite you in for a nip. Boulard, one of the most famous, has a restaurant onsite with tables inside giant barrels. www.calvados-boulard.com
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