Scottish Cheese OR Scottish Charcuterie Tasting at Errichel

This is the kind of food experience that makes you eat slower and pay attention. I love that you get a guided tasting of five Scottish cheeses or charcuterie and you leave with a map of Scotland plus notes you can actually use later.

The best part for me is how the host explains what you are tasting and why the pairings work, including the mention of Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys. One thing to think about up front, though: you must book the exact session you want (2:15pm cheese or 2:45pm charcuterie), because they cannot switch you on the day.

Key points to help you decide fast

• Choose your session time: 2:15pm for cheese, 2:45pm for charcuterie, no day-of changes
• Five tastings, not one bite: you sample a full platter of five Scottish items
• Pairing tools you can keep: you get guidelines and a flavor wheel to guide future tasting
• Small group size: up to 8 travelers, so you can ask questions
• Take-home souvenirs: a map of Scotland with tasting notes
• You can buy to recreate it: the deli sells cheese and charcuterie after your tasting

Where your tasting starts at Thyme DelicatessenErrichel in Aberfeldy

Your tasting begins at Thyme DelicatessenErrichel in Aberfeldy (PH15 2EL). This is not some far-away warehouse tasting room. It is tied to a working farm-tour operation and a food-focused deli setup, so the whole experience feels like it belongs in the real world of Scottish produce.

Expect a short, friendly start where the guide sets the pace. Then you move straight into the platter and the explanations, with no long preamble.

Cheese at 2:15pm or charcuterie at 2:45pm, pick carefully

Here is the one logistical detail that matters most: you book either the Scottish Cheese Tasting at 2:15pm or the Scottish Charcuterie Tasting at 2:45pm. They cannot accommodate changes on the day, so double-check you selected the one you actually want.

If you are wavering, here is a practical way to decide. Go cheese if you want to learn what different styles taste like across Scotland, and go charcuterie if you are more interested in meats, textures, and how salty, smoky, and savory flavors match up.

The duration is about 50 minutes, so you are getting a focused lesson rather than a slow, half-day food crawl.

The platter details: what you get in the 50 minutes

Both versions follow the same core format. You receive a tasting platter featuring five Scottish cheeses or five Scottish charcuterie items, served with accompaniments and Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys.

You also get structured tasting materials. That includes a set of guidelines plus a flavor wheel, and you keep a tasting map of Scotland to take away.

One more small but real benefit: you are not just eating random bites. The guide walks you through each of the five tastings as you go, so it feels like a guided progression instead of a free-for-all.

Cheese tasting platter, what it usually feels like

Even without a printed menu for every session, the format is consistent: five cheeses, with at least more than one local cheese mentioned as part of the selection style. Reviews highlight learning about specific favorites, like Strathearn and Kintyre Smoked, which suggests you are likely to encounter a range of flavors from mild to smokier styles.

You should also expect that the tasting includes guidance on how to approach each cheese, including what pairing options they chose and why.

Charcuterie tasting platter, what it usually feels like

For charcuterie, you get five artisan items with accompaniments and chutney. Reviews mention that the whole experience is done in a clear, welcoming way, and that it is especially good if you like learning how flavor combinations work, not just eating because it tastes good.

If you are a first-timer with Scottish cured meats, this is a smart introduction since you are guided through the differences across the five items instead of being left to guess.

Meet the host and the pairing method (Becky and Chef Paul’s influence)

The host experience matters here, and the names show up clearly in customer comments. In multiple visits, the guide is described as Becky (also written as Rebecca), and the operation credits Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys as part of what arrives with your platter.

What I like about this setup is that the teaching feels practical. Reviews point out that the guide talks through the cheeses or meats, then you try the pairing and learn why it works. That is a big difference from tastings that stay at a general “this is nice” level.

You will likely feel like you are being helped to build your own taste vocabulary. The flavor wheel and tasting guidelines are there for a reason, so you can notice things beyond just salty or creamy.

Why the flavor wheel and Scotland map are more than souvenirs

It is easy for food tastings to give you pretty paper and call it a day. Here, the take-home items are built into the experience.

You get:

• Cheese Map of Scotland or Charcuterie Map of Scotland
• tasting guidelines plus a flavor wheel
• guided notes tied to the five items you sampled

That means you can remember what you tried and recreate your own pairing logic later. And if you are buying for a dinner party, it helps you pick the right “type” of cheese or meat rather than just grabbing whatever looks good in the case.

From a value standpoint, that matters. You are not paying only for the tasting. You are also paying for tools that help you buy and taste smarter after you leave.

Buying in the deli afterward, and what optional drinks change

After your tasting, you can head to the deli for food you can bring home. Reviews specifically mention being able to buy items so you can recreate the experience at home with friends, which is exactly what I would do.

This is also where you can turn the tasting into a mini shopping strategy. Use the map and your notes to choose a small set that fits your tastes, then add the chutney and accompaniments to match the pairing ideas you just learned.

Now, about alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the standard tasting. If you want an upgrade, there are options for a beer tasting paired with charcuterie or a wine tasting paired with cheese, for a supplement. If you know you enjoy wine or beer with food, that add-on can be a fun way to extend the lesson.

Small group size at Errichel: why up to 8 travelers is a good thing

This tasting caps at 8 travelers. That usually translates to a calmer, more personal pace, and it helps the host keep track of what you liked and what you are curious about.

In the reviews, the experience is repeatedly described as welcoming and un-rushed. That is the kind of detail that often makes or breaks a short tasting like this, because you want time to actually taste and ask questions.

If you are traveling as a couple, this size is ideal for getting attention without feeling like you are stuck in a giant group. If you are traveling with a family, it can still work well since the event is short, though your kids’ patience will depend on their interest in food.

Value for $39.78: what you are really paying for

At $39.78 per person, this is not the cheapest thing on your Scotland list. But it is also not priced like a full-blown multi-course dinner.

The value comes from three areas:

1. Five items with guided explanation, not a quick snack
2. A take-away map and flavor tools that help you continue tasting at home
3. The chance to buy the same kinds of cheeses or meats right after, so it is easy to turn the tasting into a real meal later

If you plan to buy products anyway, the tasting becomes less of a “one-time event” and more of a buying guide.

Also, because the sessions are timed and short, it can fit nicely into an Aberfeldy day without chewing up your whole afternoon.

Who should book the Scottish Cheese or Charcuterie tasting?

This tasting is a great fit if you fall into any of these buckets.

Book it if you:

• like food that is local and genuinely Scottish
• want a guided introduction, not a vague tasting
• enjoy pairing ideas you can use again at home
• want a memorable, gift-friendly experience

You might think twice if you:

• want a long, sit-down meal (this is about learning through tastings)
• are hoping for alcohol included by default (it is not included unless you choose an upgrade)
• are the type who hates choosing between two timed options, since you must pick the exact session you want

Should you book at Errichel? My practical take

If you want a compact, high-satisfaction food experience in Aberfeldy, I would book it. The format is efficient, the teaching is built around what you are eating, and you leave with tools (map, guidelines, flavor wheel) that make your tasting feel useful rather than disposable.

My advice is simple. If you are excited about cheeses, go cheese at 2:15pm. If you are more drawn to cured meats and textures, go charcuterie at 2:45pm. Either way, come hungry enough to taste properly, then plan a small deli purchase so you can recreate the pairings when you get back home.

FAQ

Is the tasting for cheese or charcuterie?

You book one or the other. There is a Scottish Cheese Tasting at 2:15pm and a Scottish Charcuterie Tasting at 2:45pm, and you cannot change sessions on the day.

How long does the experience last?

The duration is approximately 50 minutes.

What is included in the standard tasting?

You get a tasting platter of five Scottish cheeses or five Scottish charcuterie items, served with chutney and other accompaniments. You also get a map of Scotland to take away, tasting guidelines, and a flavor wheel, plus a guided introduction to the five items.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the standard experience. There are upgraded versions available with a beer tasting for charcuterie or a wine tasting for cheese, for a supplement.

How many people are in each group?

The experience has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Where do I meet for the tasting?

You meet at Thyme DelicatessenErrichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, UK. The experience ends back at the meeting point.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

Yes, you can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.