Cheese and charcuterie, taught like a mini class. At Errichel in Aberfeldy, you taste five Scottish samples with chutneys and get a guided walkthrough of what makes each one special, at Thyme DelicatessenErrichel.

I love how practical this feels. You’ll use a flavour wheel and tasting guidelines so you can actually describe what you’re eating (not just say yum), and you also take home a Map of Scotland to keep tasting notes.

One key consideration: you’re booking one fixed session—2:15pm cheese or 2:45pm charcuterie—and you can’t switch on the day.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Two exact start times: pick 2:15pm (cheese) or 2:45pm (charcuterie)
• Five tastings with chutneys and accompaniments included
• Take-home Scotland map plus tasting guidelines and a flavour wheel
• Small group size (maximum 8 people), so you get real attention
• Pairing focus that helps you rebuild the experience at home
• Upgrades available if you want beer with charcuterie or wine with cheese

Errichel at Aberfeldy: a food-focused stop that feels local

This tasting is built for people who like food, but also for people who want to learn without turning it into homework. You’re not wandering around a big museum. You’re sitting down (with a short burst of structure) and going through five Scottish cheeses or five Scottish charcuterie items one by one.

The setting matters. Errichel sits in Aberfeldy, and the experience has that “right here, right now” vibe: you’re tasting products tied to Scotland’s farms and local makers. Several people also mention the setting and views as part of the afternoon mood, even on grey days. If you’re already in Perthshire, this is a very easy way to spend 50 minutes that still feels like you did something real.

Cheese or Charcuterie: don’t book the wrong time

Before you even get hungry, you need to make one decision: cheese at 2:15pm or charcuterie at 2:45pm. The operator is clear about this—no changes on the day. So double-check your booking before you hit confirm.

Here’s how I’d think about the choice:

• If you’re a cheese person (or want to become one), go for the Scottish Cheese Tasting.
• If you love cured meats, salt-forward bites, and pairing guides, the Scottish Charcuterie Tasting is the better match.

If you’re traveling in a group and not everyone agrees, you can contact the provider directly to arrange split preferences. That’s a nice option if you’ve got a mixed crowd.

What’s actually included in your tasting platter

This is where the value shows up. You’re not just grazing on a couple of slices. Each session centers on a tasting platter of 5—either five cheeses or five charcuterie items.

You’ll also get:

• Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys
• Cheese or charcuterie accompaniments that are meant for pairing, not filler
• A guided introduction to each of the five tastings
• A take-home Map of Scotland (cheese or charcuterie version)
• Tasting guidelines plus a flavour wheel
• A mobile ticket, with confirmation at booking

The chutneys are a big deal. They’re included in the base price, and they give you a way to understand balance: sweet vs sharp, fruit vs fat, bite vs finish.

And yes, you can leave with a souvenir that isn’t just a postcard. The map is made to be used with tasting notes, which turns a one-time activity into something you can repeat later at home.

The 50-minute flow: what you’ll do once you arrive

This experience runs about 50 minutes. The pacing is designed to keep you moving through the platter without rushing you.

In plain terms, it goes like this:

1. Welcome and setup at Thyme DelicatessenErrichel
2. A guided introduction where your host explains what you’re going to taste and how to think about it
3. You work through the five items, with pairings and notes guiding each round
4. You finish with time to take away your map and keep the guidelines with you

Because the group max is 8 travelers, the host can slow down when someone has questions. That small size also makes the tasting feel more like a conversation than a lecture.

Pairings are the secret skill you take home

The most praised part isn’t just the food. It’s the pairing lesson—the why behind the pairings. People consistently come away talking about learning how certain matches work, then using that knowledge later.

You’ll get help using the flavour wheel and the guidelines so you can notice patterns like:

• what hits first (salt, acidity, smoke, fruitiness)
• what changes as it sits on your tongue
• what works next on the platter

A practical example from what people like most: they end up with clear favourites and can name pairings they’d never thought about before. One person specifically called out learning pairings that worked with cheeses and meats, which is exactly what this format is good at.

If you’ve ever bought fancy cheese and then stood at home guessing, this helps fix that.

Learning moments you’ll actually notice during the tasting

The host’s role is to connect Scottish ingredients to your palate. That sounds abstract until you’re tasting and pairing in the same session.

From what you’re told during the tasting, you can usually expect themes like:

• how each cheese or cured item differs across the country
• why certain accompaniments or chutneys are chosen
• how to describe flavour beyond one-word reactions

People also mention the host being friendly and not talking down to them. That matters. Food lessons work best when you feel comfortable asking, and when the host keeps it simple enough to follow on a first try.

And if you’re curious, you can often leave with extra recommendations for other cheeses you might like to seek out in Scotland.

The deli side: why you may want to linger after the tasting

A big part of the experience value is what happens after. The tasting sits at Thyme DelicatessenErrichel, and the deli is part of the same world as the platter.

Many people say they could buy items to recreate the tasting at home. That means your 50 minutes can turn into a dinner plan for friends back where you live.

What you might find in the shop varies, but the pattern is clear from the experience: cheeses, charcuterie, and foodie gifts, plus chutneys and accompaniments that match what you just learned. One review also mentions pre-prepared ready meals (like tagines and lamb dishes) available in the farm shop area, which is handy if you want a simple win for dinner.

Tip: if you think you’ll shop, keep a little extra time before your next commitment. The tasting is short, but the deli can tempt you to slow down.

Price and value: $39.78 for a lesson, a platter, and a keepsake

At $39.78 per person, you’re paying for a lot more than a small sample. You get:

• five items (cheese or charcuterie), not just one or two
• chutneys and accompaniments included
• guided tasting across all items
• a take-home Map of Scotland
• tasting guidelines plus a flavour wheel

The value logic is simple: you’re buying instruction and tools that last longer than the session. If you normally struggle to choose cheese or cured meats, that guidance can save you money and guesswork later.

Also, small group size helps the value. Maximum 8 people means you’re less likely to feel like one of many faces.

The only way it might feel less “worth it” is if you don’t care about learning pairings and just want quantity. This isn’t a big feed. It’s a tasting and a mini class.

Optional upgrades: beer or wine if you want that extra pairing

Alcohol isn’t included in the base experience. But the operator offers upgraded versions:

• Beer tasting with the charcuterie
• Wine tasting with the cheese

If you already like pairing food and drinks, these add-ons can be a fun extension. If you don’t drink alcohol, you’re still fully covered with chutneys, accompaniments, and the pairing lesson.

Who this tasting is best for

This experience fits best if:

• you like Scottish food and want a focused slice of it
• you enjoy learning how flavours work together
• you want something easy to slot into a day in Aberfeldy
• you’d like take-home tools (the map and flavour wheel) for later

It’s also a good option for a birthday or an afternoon activity, because it feels personal and structured, not rushed.

If you’re in a group, the max size helps. If you’ve got dietary needs, you should confirm ahead of time so the host can guide you with the right choices.

Should you book the Scottish Cheese or Scottish Charcuterie Tasting at Errichel?

Yes, I think you should—if you’re the type who enjoys tasting and learning. For the price, you’re getting five Scottish items, chutneys, and real pairing guidance, plus a take-home Map of Scotland and flavour wheel you’ll use later.

Book the right time slot (2:15 for cheese, 2:45 for charcuterie) and treat it like a small lesson you can carry home. Then stop by the deli after, because that’s where the knowledge turns into an actual plan for dinner.

FAQ

What time is the cheese tasting at Errichel?

The Scottish Cheese Tasting runs at 2:15pm.

What time is the charcuterie tasting at Errichel?

The Scottish Charcuterie Tasting runs at 2:45pm.

Can I switch from the cheese session to the charcuterie session on the day?

No. You must book the session you want, and changes on the day can’t be accommodated.

How long does the tasting experience last?

It lasts about 50 minutes.

What’s included with the tasting?

You get a tasting platter of 5 Scottish cheeses or 5 Scottish charcuterie items, plus chutney and other accompaniments, guided tastings, tasting guidelines, and a take-home map and flavour wheel.

Is alcohol included?

Alcoholic beverages are not included in the base experience, but upgraded versions may be booked with beer or wine for a supplement.

Where does the experience start?

The meeting point is Thyme DelicatessenErrichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, UK.

How large are the groups?

The maximum group size is 8 travelers.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What happens if I cancel?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, you don’t get a refund.

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