The Whisky Trail

Good advice but massively over priced, can save 20% or more by buying online

Do not buy whisky here. This store is a tourist trap. I was really enthusiastic because the staff is experienced and friendly. I bought a bottle of whisky without second thougt only to find it in another store for 20 pounds less.

This place is unnecessarily expensive. I found that the neighboring stores and the manufacturers websites had the same items way cheaper. What a cheat!!!

While the staff were eager to facilitate sales with a tasting of products, the saleswoman insisted that a piece of standard information was simply not true. I am unsure whether it was her intent to deceive to facilitate a sale or whether it was due to misinformation or ignorance, but alas, it was insisted upon: that a peaty whiskey is the exact same as a smokey whiskey. This insistence prevented me from finding exactly what I wanted: a peaty whiskey with an earthy, organic taste for a friend's forthcoming celebration. Instead I have a smokey whiskey, but it will have to suffice.

While the layout and selection is great and staff were very kind, knowledgeable and persuasive, I feel as if I, an amateur whisky drinker, was taken advantage of.
Unfortunately, I forgot to check google reviews and use my common sense to realize that any shop on the Royal Mile will be overpriced.
Shortly after buying the bottle, I did some online research and realized that I had overpaid over £20 for my bottle, which wasn't very expensive in the first place (£46).
I went back and asked if I could be refunded, but only exchanges were offered, which wasn't helpful when I realized EVERYTHING was overpriced.
If you want a nice bottle for a proper price, avoid this place and go someplace more professional and less touristy.
I would not recommend this shop to any friends or family.

TLDR: Don't shop here if you live in the UK, but maybe worthwhile if you live oversea!

Sadly we fell into the tourist trap of not checking Google reviews before walking in this store... While at the store, we found the staff to be very helpful and decent knowledge wise. We named our fav. Islay distilleries, and they were able to recommend a few independent bottlers that we've never heard of in the US. And we are pretty experienced whisky drinkers (10+yrs). On the staff's recommendation, we bought 2 bottles.

Upon returning home, I saw the terrible Google reviews and quickly checked online prices:
- Peat's Beast Cask Strength Whisky (£85, best online price £58.50)
- Bunnahabhain 8 Year Old (£48, best online price £26.4)

Given that both online shops are UK based and shipping to USA will cost a lot more, and Peat's Beast is not even available in the USA, I'd say these are fair prices factoring shipping & VAT refund. ALSO the store is on Royale Mile - so obviously expect some price markup to pay for rent!

I'd recommend popping in for research purpose, get some recommendations but SHOP AROUND. If you are based in the UK, JUST BUY ONLINE! But if you live abroad, am short on time AND can only stop in 1 whisky store on a mad dash, then pop by.

On arriving home from my trip to Edinburgh I was very disappointed to find I could have bought my bottle of whiskey £20 cheaper on a Scottish website. They certainly saw me coming. I don't mind paying an extra couple of pounds but this was a rip off !!!

I stopped in and found their staff to be very personable and knowledgeable. As for the prices, all across Edinburgh shops seem to be inflated to some extent. Then there's a few I've seen cheaper than any other place before. Take out your phone to check prices and search MoM, TWE or Amazon before buying.