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Speyside

The whiskies from Speyside are typically the sweetest of the malts.

Speyside has always been at the centre of whisky distilling in Scotland. Lying between Inverness and Aberdeen in the Grampian mountains, there are no less than 84 distilleries producing whisky (and 12 currently not producing). The whiskies from Speyside are typically the sweetest of the malts, with a variety of strength from light, floral flavors to heavy, rich, sherried flavors.

Allt-a-Bhainne

A new distillery located on the slopes of Benrinnes and was built in 1975. The distillery is owned by Chivas, and was re-opened in 2005 after a three year hiatus. There has never been an official bottling of Allt-a-Bhainne but we’ve seen several independent bottlings available. Allt-a-Bhainne’s water supply comes from the Scurran & Rowantree Burns.

Gaelic Meaning: Burn of Milk
Established: 1975
Pronunciation: olta VAYne
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 4
Tours: Not open to the public
Location: Glenrinnes, Banffshire AB55 4DI

Style
Light, floral

Range
None from the distillery but available in independent bottlings (try Cadenhead)

www.chivas.com
http://www.wmcadenhead.com/

Aberlour

Located at the meeting of the rivers Lour and Spey, Aberlour is one of Scotland’s premier and most beautiful distilleries. The distillery provides one of the best tours you’ll find and you can even bottle your own dram. Aberlour produces full bodied sherry whisky. If you like Macallan, you’ll love Aberlour. The distillery uses spring water that rises through peat and granite from Ben Aberlour is an ancient and beautiful place with a community that dates back over fourteen hundred years. Aberlour gets its water supply from the Ben Rinnes. Their cask strength expression A’bunadh (the origin) can’t be beat if you like a big sherried whisky.

Gaelic Meaning: Mouth of the chattering burn
Established: 1879
Pronunciation: Ab er lore
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 4
Tours: By appointment only
Phone: 01340 881249
Location: Aberlour, Banffshire, AB3 9PJ

Style
Full bodied, big sherry, fruity, after dinner

Range
10 Year Old
15 Year Old
‘a’bunadh’ Cask Strength

Tasting Notes

http://www.aberlour.co.uk/welcome.asp
www.chivas.com

Ardmore

Ardmore Distillery lies on the main Aberdeen to Inverness railway line at Kennethmont. The distillery's main function is to provide whisky for the Teacher's blend. Ardmore is a very peaty dram for a Speyside and is available primarily through independent bottlers. Ardmore’s water supply comes from Knockandy Hill.

Established: 1898
Pronunciation: Ard More
Region: Speyside
# of stills: 8
Tours: Not open to the public
Location: Kennethmont, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, AB54 4NH

Style
Malty, creamy & peaty

Range
A major part of the Teachers blend
None from the distillery but available in independent bottlings (try Signatory)

www.allieddomecqplc.com

Auchroisk

The distillery is on the main road between Craigellachie and Keith. Up until recently this dram was marketed as the Singleton of Auchroisk at 10 years old, however this bottling has now been withdrawn from the market and replaced by a 10 year old Auchroisk Flora and Fauna bottling. Water comes from the Mulben Burn and Dorie's Well.

Gaelic Meaning: Ford of the Red Stream
Established: 1973
Pronunciation: Ach Roysk
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 8
Tours: Not open to the public
Phone: 01542 885000
Location: Mulben, Banffshire, AB55 6XS

Style
Sweet fruit, delicate

Range
10 yr Flora Fauna
28 yr old ‘rare malts’

www.malts.com

Aultmore

The Aultore distillery's runs four stills and no longer does its own floor malting. Powered by steam until the late 1960’s this distillery produces a dry floral and oaky dram. Currently, this distillery doesn’t produce any single malt bottlings. Aultmore draws is water from the Auchinderran Burn. The majority of Aultmore’s production goes into the popular Dewar’s blends.

Gaelic Meaning: Big Burn
Established: 1896
Pronunciation: Ault More
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 4
Tours: Not open to the public
Location: Keith, Banffshire, AB45 3JT

Style
Dry, oak, floral

Range
12 year old
www.dewars.com

Balmenach

Historians believe this distillery operated illegally before it was licensed 1824, by its founder James McGregor. Balmenach has had a unique history and was mothballed from most of the 1990’s. Currently owned by Inver House Distillers and this whisky may be a powerhouse in the future. To date Inver House has only produced limited edition bottlings. Many connoisseurs are hopeful that a wide release will be available soon.

Established: 1824
Pronunciation: bal Meh nack
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 6
Tours: By appointment only
Location: Cromdale, Grantown-on-Spey, Monayshire, PH26 3PF

Style
Full bodied, heathery, sherry

Range
None from the distillery but available in independent bottlings (try Inverarity and Dearstalker)

INVERARITY ANCESTRAL 14 year old is one of Jeff’s favorites, a sherry powerhouse. The Macallan has nothing on this one.

http://www.balmenachdistillery.com/

Balvenie

Located next to Glenfiddich, and owned by the Grant family which established both distilleries. Balvenie was built next to the Balvenie castle 1892. Not as widely known as its sister Distillery Glenfiddich but equally appreciated by connoisseurs. The distillery still uses some of its own malt from barley produced on the Grant family farms. Belvenie produces several unique wood-finished whiskies that have developed a large following.

Established: 1892
Pronunciation: bal Vee nie
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 8
Tours: Open to the public (visitor center opened in 2005)
Phone: 01340 820373
Location: Dufftown, Banffshire, AB55 4BB

Style
Offers unique wood finishes, medium bodied and rich
You either love or hate this one

Range
Double Wood 12 year old
Portwood 1991
Single Barrel 15 year old
New Wood
Portwood 21 year old
Balvenie Thirty
The Balvenie Cask 191

http://www.balvenie.com/
http://www.grantusa.com/

Watch Balvenies' Brand Ambassador discuss the Balvenie range

Balvenie & Glenfiddich
Click Here to Watch

Banff

The distillery was built by James Simpson Jr. in 1863 to replace a distillery of the same name from 1824. Banff practiced triple distillation before converting to the double distillation method. Banff had a rich and unique history, the distillery was plagued fires, and was damaged by a severe blaze in 1877. During World War 2 an enemy plane bombed the site, destroying warehouse number 12. The Banffshire Journal reported that thousands of gallons of whisky were lost and it is said that Boyndie burn ran with so much whisky that farm animals became intoxicated. In 1933 the distillery came under the ownership of SMD and was closed and demolished in 1983. Banff can still be readily had through independent bottlings.

Established: 1863
Pronunciation: Banff
Region: Speyside
Tours: No longer in operation / Silent Still
Phone: None
Location: No longer standing

Style
Light, grassy

Range
None from the distillery but available in independent bottlings (try Signatory or cadenhead)

http://www.wmcadenhead.com/

Benrinnes

The Benrinnes distillery takes its name from the Benrinnes Mountain that dominates the skyline in the area. The present distillery was built in 1835 after the original Benrinnes distillery washed away in the 'great flood' of 1829. Benrinnes practices a form of partial triple distillation, which adds to this whiskies creamy rich character. The distillery's capacity was doubled in 1966 when three additional stills were added. The first official bottling of Benrinnes was launched in 1991 when UDV released a 15 year old 'Flora and Fauna' expression. Went under major renovations in the 1950s and is currently owned by Diageo. Benrinnes draws its water from the Scurran & Rowantree Burns.

Established: 1835
Pronunciation: Ben Rinnes
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 4
Tours: Not open to the Public
Phone: 01340 872500
Location: Aberlour, Banffshire, AB38 9WN

Style
Full bodied, assertive, smokey

Range
Only a few from the distillery but available in independent bottlings (try Gordan and Macphail’s Connoisseurs Choice)
BENRINNES 'Flora & Fauna'

http://www.gordonandmacphail.com/op_brandsConnoisseurs.html
http://www.malts.com

Benromach

This distillery just celebrated their hundred year anniversary in 1998 and was officially reopened by Prince Charles. Whisky production started at Benromach nine years after construction in 1907 but the distillery was quickly closed. Production began again 1939 but was closed again in 1983. Stability finally arrived for Benromach, when Gordon & McPhail bought the distillery in 1992. The distillery has since started producing its own line and draws its water from the Chapelton Springs.

Established: 1898
Pronunciation: Ben ro Mach
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 2
Tours: Open to the public
Phone: 01309 675968
Location: Invererne Road, Forres, Moray, IV36 3EB

Style
Full bodied, malty

Range
Traditional
18 year old
21 Tokaji Finish
22 year old Port Finnish
25 year old
1980 Cask Strength
1968

http://www.benromach.com/
http://www.gordonandmacphail.com/ob_gordonMacPhail.html

Benriach

Independent again after a long interesting past, Benriach was built in 1898 by the founder of the Longmorn Distillery and sat idle from a considerable length of time. In 2004, the distillery was bought by a group headed by Billy Walker who spent over 30 years in the whisky industry. His son is the Brand Ambassador and tours the world promoting this unique ‘sleeping giant’. Benriach has since come on strong and introduced many new expressions to the Benriach range including a peated line that has drawn rave reviews. The distillery is located less than a mile away from Longmorn, and three miles south of Elgin. Benriachs water supply comes from springs located underground, below the distillery and they still do floor malting. In a few years, Benriach has the potential to be mentioned in the same breath as other Speyside heavy weights like, Macallan, The Glenlivet and Glenfiddich. Get your hands on a bottle of the 16 year old expressions and we promise you won’t be disappointed.

Gaelic Meaning: Hill of the red deer
Established: 1898
Pronunciation: Ben Ree ack
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 4
Tours: Not open to the public
Phone: 01542 783400
Location: Longmorn, Elgin, Morayshire, IV30 3SJ

Style
Classic Speyside, malty, honey notes

Range
12 year old
16 year old
20 year old
The heart of Speyside
Curiositas (peated malt)

http://www.benriachdistillery.co.uk

Braeval (Braes of Glenlivet)

Braeval, is one of the three distilleries in the glen of the Livet, and was once known as Braes of Glenlivet until its name was changed in 1995. It has no maltings on site but sports an artificial pagoda roof that helps the distillery blend into its local surroundings. The distillery is unusual in that it has no warehouse or cask filling facilities on site, the spirit is shipped to a warehouse in Keith. One source claims that Braeval is 1,100 feet above sea level, which if true would make it higher than Dalwhinnie, who normally claims the title of highest distillery in Scotland.

Gaelic Meaning: Hillside
Established: 1973
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 6
Tours: Not open to the public
Location: Chapeltown, Ballindalloch, Banffshire, AB37 9JS

Style
Light & sweet

Range
None from the distillery but available in independent bottlings (try Gordan and Macphail’s Connoisseurs Choice)

www.chivas.com

http://www.gordonandmacphail.com/op_brandsConnoisseurs.html

Caperdonich

Caperdonich distillery was originally built in 1897 as Glen Grant No.2 to serve as a back up to the mighty Glen Grant Distillery. However following the Pattison's crash the distillery soon closed as the demand for whisky disappeared. In 1965 the distillery reopened as Caperdonich and was later purchased by Seagrams in 1977. Caperdonich and Glen Grant share the same water source but the whiskies are not similar. Caperdonich is lighter and tends to be smokier then Glen Grant.

Name Meaning: Secret Source
Pronunciation: Coper Donich
Established: 1897
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 4
Tours: Not open to the public
Location: Rothes, Morayshire, AB38 7BN

Style
Medium bodied, slightly smokey, dried apricots

Range
None from the distillery but available in independent bottlings (try Gordan and Macphail’s Connoisseurs Choice or Duncan & talyor)

www.chivas.com

http://www.gordonandmacphail.com/op_brandsConnoisseurs.html

www.dtcscotch.com

Cardhu

Cardhu was first licenced in 1824 by John Cumming, the owner of Cardow farm. The distillery was made famous by John Cumming's daughter in-law, Elizabeth, who rebuilt the distillery in 1872. This made her the first female distiller in Scotland, and her hospitality had a glowing reputation. Diageo runs the distillery currently and Cardhu has become the spiritual home of Johnnie Walker. The vatted/pure malt controversy made Cardhu famous and caused a huge labeling controversy in the industry. Cardu draws its water from Mannoch Hill and Lyne Burn. A great dram for the beginner since Cardu is on the lighter sweet side.

Name Meaning: Black Rock
Established: 1824
Pronunciation: Car Doo
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 6
Tours: Open to the public
Phone: 01340 872555
Location: Aberlour Banffshire, AB38 7RY

Style
Light and gentle

Range
12 year old

www.malts.com

Craigduff

Craigduff is an experimental peaty malt distilled at Glen Keith.

Coleburn

A closed distillery that is typically only available from independent bottlers. The original distillery was founded in 1897 and then sold in 1916 to the Clynelish distillery. The Distillery was closed in 1985, and its license was cancelled in 1992 and it’s unlikely that it will ever open again.

Established: 1824
Pronunciation: Cole Burn
Region: Speyside
Tours: No longer in operation / Silent still
Phone: None
Location: Longmorn by Elgin, Moray, IV38 8GN

Style
Dry, fruity sweet

Range
None from the distillery but available in independent bottlings (try Gordan and Macphail’s Connoisseurs Choice or Signatory)

http://www.gordonandmacphail.com/op_brandsConnoisseurs.html

Convalmore

Convalmore was established 1894 and rebuilt in 1910 due to a fire. A continuous column still was installed at this point, with the intention of using this still for producing malt whisky. This turned out to be a failure and the still was not used after the First World War. Modernised in 1965, the distillery operated until its closure 20 years later. In 1992 William Grant & Sons, who own the neighboring Glenfiddich and Balvenie distilleries, bought Convalmore to use as warehousing for their maturing whisky stocks.

Established: 1894
Pronunciation: Con Vun Loor
Region: Speyside
Tours: No longer in operation / Silent still
Phone: None
Location: Dufftown, Banffshire, AB55 4BD

Style
Fruity, malty

Range
None from the distillery but available in independent bottlings (try Signatory)

Cragganmore

Cragganmore was built in 1869 and is situated to take advantage of the Strathspey railway line. John Smith the distillery founder was a great railway enthusiast. The water used in the making of the whisky comes from the Craggan burn and is relatively hard. Cragganmore grew in popularity when it was chosen to be one of the six 'Classic Malts' in 1988 as the Speyside representative. This was a huge compliment given all of the Speyside distilleries owned by Diageo (UDV at the time). Craggenmore is a great dram for individuals that are just discovering Single Malts. The Craggnamore line offers complex, well rounded whiskies that represent Speyside well. It’s refreshingly original whisky that isn’t too hyped up with special finishes and bottlings.

Established: 1869
Pronunciation: Cragen More
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 4
Tours: Open to the public
Phone: 01479 8747000
Location: Ballindoch, Banffshire, AB37 9AB

Style
Dry, light, well rounded

Range
12 year old
Distillers Addition
29 year old Rare Malt

www.malts.com

Craigellachie

Craigellachie was associated with White Horse blend until the distillery was sold to John Dewars and sons in 1998. The distillery was built in 1891 and draws its water supply from Spring on Little Convall Hill. The distillery runs two spirit and two wash stills. The village of Craigellachie over looks the beautiful Thomas Telford's bridge and is home to the world famous Craigellachie Hotel. The hotel has one of the largest single malt selections in the world. Craigellachie is becoming more popular and was a well know brand prior to World War I. Craigellachie is close to the much more popular Macallan. The distillery also bottled a cask strength whisky for the Craigellachie Hotel in 2003. Craigellachie was available in Diageo’s Flora Fauna line but now has a new 14 year old out.

Gaelic Meaning: Rocky Hill
Established: 1891
Pronunciation: Craig ella ki
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 4
Tours: By appointment only
Phone: 01340 881212
Location: Craigellachie, Banffshire, AB38 9ST

Style
Malty, Sweet, nuttiness

Range
14 year old

Dallas Dhu

Dallas Dhu was closed in 1983 but can still be found in numerous independent bottlings. Located on the outskirts of Forres, the Dallas Dhu distillery has been preserved in the form of a Historic Scotland museum and it’s unlikely that the distillery will ever reopen. The distillery was built in 1898 by Alexander Edward under the name of Dallasmore.

Established: 1898
Pronunciation: Dallas Due
Region: Speyside
Tours: Opened as a museum in 1988
Phone: 01309 676548
Location: Forres, Morayshire, IV36 2RR

Style
Smooth, delicate, honey notes

Range
None from the distillery but available in independent bottlings (try Gordan and Macphail’s Connoisseurs Choice, Signatory or the Rare Malt Collection)

http://www.gordonandmacphail.com/op_brandsConnoisseurs.html

Dailuaine

A major contributor to the Dewar’s blends, but don’t hold that against it (just kidding). Daluaine is located close to Ben Rinnes in Speyside and was built 1865. The distillery was once part of the Daluaine-Talisker Distilleries Co Ltd. Daluaine produces a great single malt bottling under the Flora Fauna label that’s worth seeking out. Big sherry, balanced with light smoke. A real winner!

Gaelic Meaning: The green vale
Established: 1865
Pronunciation: Dal yoo en
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 6
Tours: Not open to the public
Phone: 01340 872500
Location: Carron, Banffshire, AB38 7RE

Style
Rich, fills the mouth, sherry sweet, light smoke

Range
16 year old Flora Fuana

www.malts.com
(owned by Diageo but not included on the malts.com website)

Drumguish

A new distillery that was opened in 1991 and its too early to honestly judge how well this dram will be. This distillery is just finding its legs. Drumguish also bottles under the Speyside label.

Established: 1991
Region: Speyside
# of Stills: 2
Tours: By appointment only
Phone: 01540 661060
Location: Tromie Mills, Glentromie, Kingussie, PH21 1HS

Style
Oily, lightly peated, grassy

Range
Drumguish (no age statement)
Speyside 10 year old

www.speysidedistillers.co.uk

Dufftown

Dufftown is one of six distilleries in Dufftown, but the only one who can claim the village’s name. Converted from a mill 1895 Dufftown produces large quantities of alcohol with the majority of it going into blends. By the 1920s the distillery had a large following in the US but prohibition hit Dufftown hard and the distillery almost closed. In 1934 Arthur Bell and Sons bought the distillery and it has been a major contributor to the Bell’s blend ever since. Bell’s is the largest selling blend in the UK. Dufftown’s water supply comes from Jock's Well which is highly acclaimed. More than once men from the near by Mortlach distillery w