UK's The Independent had a good bunch of suggestions for folks who love the sweet, hot, aromatic burning sensation of the world's greatest whiskeys. Now, distilled spirits may have originated in the Middle East, but the British Isles are the home of fine scotch. And what better for a connoisseur than to stay at or near a fine distillery?

The article lists examples of five lodges where you can stay, close to some of the world's best distilleries. For example, you can rent small cottages at Scotland's the Glenmorangie House for as little as 160 pounds ($313 USD) per night, full board.

"Within easy staggering distance" of the Bushmills distillery in Northern Ireland is the Drum Lodge, a 200+ year old drum-shaped, gothic-styled lodge. (Yes, yes, it's Irish whiskey, but it sounds cool anyway.)

Or try the island distillery of Bowmore, on Islay, where you can bring up to 11 of your friends to rent a cottage for as little as 440 pounds ($860 USD) per week. And there are seven more distilleries on the 25-mile-long Scottish island. It's a mere four-hour, car-plus-ferry trip west of Glasgow.

Scotch fanatics may recognize the names here, but I can tell you, from the pictures I've seen of these places, they look beautiful and worth the trip...even if whiskey's not your bag, baby.

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Europe, United Kingdom, Hotels and Accommodations