Five Scottish bites. Big flavor lessons.

At Errichel in Aberfeldy, you get a guided Scottish Cheese or Charcuterie tasting built for real learning, not just eating. The session lasts about 50 minutes, starts at Thyme Delicatessen Errichel, and stays small (up to 8 people), so you’re not shouting over a crowd. It’s a simple plan with a satisfying payoff: you leave full, informed, and able to buy the ingredients afterward to recreate the experience.

I love how you don’t just get random samples—you get a tasting platter of 5 with chutney and other accompaniments, plus a clear walkthrough of what makes each item special. I also love that the guide teaches pairings using a flavor wheel and tasting guidelines, so you start noticing why certain tastes work together.

One thing to consider: this is a time-slot booking. You’re choosing either the cheese tasting at 2:15pm or the charcuterie tasting at 2:45pm, and they won’t switch you on the day.

Key things I’d circle before you go

• Small group (max 8): more time for questions and a more relaxed pace while you taste all five items.
• You get a take-home map: a Cheese Map of Scotland or a Charcuterie Map of Scotland with tasting notes.
• Pairing-focused tasting: each sample comes with guidance on why that pairing works, not just what it is.
• Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys: expect accompaniments that do more than sit on the side.
• Same location as the deli: you can buy cheeses or charcuterie to recreate the tasting back home.

Choosing Cheese at 2:15 or Charcuterie at 2:45 in Aberfeldy

This experience is sold as one of two formats, and the time matters. Book the Scottish Cheese Tasting at 2:15pm or the Scottish Charcuterie Tasting at 2:45pm—and plan your schedule around that choice. They explicitly note they can’t accommodate changes on the day, so I’d treat it like a firm reservation, not a flexible stop.

If you’re undecided, think about what you want to practice. Cheese tasting is built around five Scottish cheeses, while charcuterie is built around five Scottish cured items. Both include guided introductions and take-home tools, but the flavor journey is different enough that picking one will feel more satisfying than trying to force both.

Inside Thyme Delicatessen Errichel: how the 50 minutes unfold

You’ll meet at Thyme Delicatessen Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, right before the tasting starts. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which keeps the whole plan tidy—no awkward “now transfer somewhere else” moment.

A session runs about 50 minutes, and the small group size (up to 8) is a big part of why this works. You’re not getting herded; you’re guided. The host introduces the tasting elements, then you work through the five items with the kind of pacing that lets you actually taste, not just sample quickly.

From the way the host talks through each part—cheeses, meats, flavor notes, and pairings—you’ll likely get the feeling that the goal is understanding. That’s also why the flavor wheel and tasting guidelines are included: they’re meant to help you keep learning after the platter is gone.

What you actually taste: 5 Scottish cheeses or 5 Scottish charcuterie

Here’s the heart of the experience: a tasting platter of five Scottish items. For cheese, it’s 5 artisan cheeses from Scotland; for charcuterie, it’s 5 artisan charcuterie items from Scotland. The experience description also notes you’ll get more than one local cheese, which is exactly what you want if you’re trying to understand the variety of Scottish dairy and curing traditions.

Each platter comes served with cheese or charcuterie accompaniments plus chutneys—specifically Chef Paul Newman’s own home-made chutneys. That matters because chutney can change the whole meaning of a bite. It’s not just sweet backup; it can sharpen, soften, or balance salt and fat depending on what’s on the plate.

What I like about the approach is that it treats the platter like a set of lessons. You get a guided introduction to all five tastings, and the pairing guidance is tied to each sample, so you build a mental map of flavor, texture, and intensity instead of just chasing what tastes good in the moment.

Pairings with a purpose: using the flavor wheel while you eat

This is not a random “try this, then try that” situation. The tasting includes Cheese Tasting Guidelines & flavor wheel or Charcuterie Tasting Guidelines & flavor wheel, and the host uses that framework as you go through the platter.

In practice, the flavor wheel helps you talk about taste the same way more food folks do: not only “it’s salty” or “it’s creamy,” but how sweetness, tang, and aroma show up with a particular cheese or cured meat. That’s the difference between finishing the session and actually remembering what to look for later when you’re shopping.

I also like that the host can recommend other cheeses you might like. That’s where a tasting like this becomes useful beyond souvenirs. If you’re the type who buys cheese impulsively and hopes it works, the pairing lessons can save you money and reduce guesswork.

The take-home map: your souvenir that still helps after the tasting

You don’t just leave with full stomachs. You leave with a Cheese Map of Scotland or a Charcuterie Map of Scotland to take away. The experience includes tasting notes on that map, which turns your session into something you can revisit later.

That’s a smart move for two reasons. First, it helps you remember what you liked and what you didn’t. Second, it gives you a reference point for buying at the deli afterward, because you’re not walking in blind—you’re shopping with context.

When you combine the map with the guidelines and flavor wheel, you’re basically getting a small home tasting kit. Even if you only recreate it once with friends, you’ll have the structure to do it like a proper tasting, not a grazing session.

Buying to recreate it back home at Errichel’s deli

One of the best practical perks: the tasting experience is in the same place as the farm shop/deli. After your tasting, you can buy cheeses and charcuterie to try again later at home—exactly what you want if you’re traveling with friends or you’re the host who likes to impress.

Because you learned what to pair and how to think about flavor, you’ll have a better chance of building a platter that matches the tasting format. That means fewer “why is this weird together?” moments and more repeats of the pairings that actually made sense.

Also, since the accompaniments include chutney during the session, you may find it easier to buy the same style of add-ons rather than improvising blindly.

Price and value: what $39.78 includes (and why it can be worth it)

At $39.78 per person, this isn’t a cheap snack. But it’s also not priced like a full meal. The value comes from what you get inside that 50 minutes: a platter of five Scottish cheeses or five Scottish charcuterie items, with chutney and other accompaniments, plus guided tastings of all five elements.

You also get take-home tools: the map with tasting notes and the tasting guidelines and flavor wheel. Those details turn the session into a learning-and-shopping experience, not just a one-time bite.

Alcohol isn’t included in the base price. They mention upgraded versions for a supplement, including a beer tasting with the charcuterie or a wine tasting with the cheese. If alcohol pairing matters to you, that upgrade may make sense. If you’re driving or you just want to keep it simple, the non-alcohol format still covers the core pairing education.

Who should book this tasting (and who might want to skip it)

I’d say this fits best if you enjoy food as a cultural detail. You don’t need to be a cheese expert. You just need to like tasting different styles and learning how to describe what you’re eating.

It’s also great for couples and small groups because the session caps at 8. If you like asking questions, this size helps. And if you’re traveling with kids who can handle a short seated food activity, the experience has been done as part of a wider farm day—though this specific tasting is its own time slot.

You might skip it if you only want a fast bite with zero structure. This is an intentional, guided session. Also, because the experience requires choosing either 2:15 cheese or 2:45 charcuterie, don’t assume you can decide last minute.

Practical tips for a smoother tasting day

• Pick your time slot first, then build your day around it. The 2:15 vs 2:45 choice is firm.
• Wear layers. Even with a warm cheese platter, Scotland weather can stay changeable, and you’ll likely be in and around the deli area.
• If you’re sensitive to strong flavors, start by taking smaller bites and use the flavor wheel cues to pace yourself.
• Bring a plan for shopping afterward. If you want to recreate the tasting, decide what you’re willing to carry home.

Should you book Errichel’s Scottish Cheese or Charcuterie tasting?

If you want a food stop that’s genuinely useful, I’d book it. The combination of five-item tasting, guided pairing instruction, and a take-home map of Scotland is the kind of value that lasts beyond the platter. And with a small group and a dedicated host walking you through the samples, it feels personal without turning into a formal lecture.

I’d hesitate only if you’re truly flexible with time and hate fixed schedules. Because they won’t switch you between cheese and charcuterie on the day, you’ll want to commit to the format you’re most excited about.

If that sounds like you, this is a smart, satisfying way to spend an hour in Aberfeldy—and leave with food knowledge you can actually use.

FAQ

How long is the Scottish cheese or charcuterie tasting at Errichel?

It’s approximately 50 minutes.

Where do I meet for the tasting?

You meet at Thyme Delicatessen Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, UK. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Which should I choose: the cheese tasting or the charcuterie tasting?

You’ll book one or the other. The cheese tasting includes 5 Scottish cheeses, while the charcuterie tasting includes 5 Scottish charcuterie items. Both include guided tastings, accompaniments, and a take-home map.

What’s included in the price?

The tasting includes a platter of 5 Scottish cheeses or 5 charcuterie items, with chutney and other accompaniments, plus a take-home Cheese Map of Scotland or Charcuterie Map of Scotland, tasting guidelines, and a flavor wheel.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the base experience. Upgraded versions may be available for an extra supplement, such as beer with the charcuterie or wine with the cheese.

How many people are in the group?

The experience has a maximum of 8 travelers.

What time slots are available?

The Scottish Cheese Tasting is at 2:15pm, and the Scottish Charcuterie Tasting is at 2:45pm.

Can I get a refund if plans change?

Yes, you can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.