The Speyside whisky region
The speyside whisky region is located around the second largest and longest river in scotland and is considered the heart of scottish whisky production. More than half of all scottish distilleries are located here. In addition to the well-known distilleries such as Aberlour, Glenfiddich, Glenfarcles and others, many suppliers are also based in Speyside.
Indidentally, in 1823 the first official and legal whisky was distilled here. The Glenlivet distillery was successfully built here and has continued well since then.
From a geographical point of view, Speyside is one of the Highlands. However, the Speyside distilleries wanted to differentiate Themselves from the other whisky regions and thus called themselves the Speyside region.
As far as the taste profile is concerned, whiskys from Speyside differ significantly from the other regions. The difference to the highlands is not always clear. The Speyside whiskys are rather milder with fruity and floral notes. The storage of the spirits in ex-sherry barrels is typical here.
Dalwhinnie and Macallan still label their whisky bottles as Highland Single Malt Whisky, even though they actually belong to the Speyside distilleries. For such reasons, the Speyside region was redefined in 2009 and since then Ardmore, AnCnoc, Brackla, Glendronach, Madcuff and Tomation are not Speyside but Highlnd whisky.
Whisky from Speyside
The most famous and popular whisky from the Speyside region is clearly the Glenfiddich- it is also considered the best-selling whisky in the world. In addition to Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and Macallan are also very popular here and together they represent almost a third of the single malt whisky market around the worl. In 2009, the well-known Doageo Roseisle distillery was opened in the Speyside region, which is the largest distillery in scotland with a capacity of 13 million liters of alcohol per year.
The character of a Speyside whisky can be classified very clearly. If you go according to the typical properties mentioned, it tastes of apple, oak, malt, nutmeg, dried fruit and vanilla. Lodine, salt, smoke and peat are rare properties. Which is why Speyside Single Malt whisky is very easy to drink and one of the most popular types of whisky.
Speysides`s distilleries
Speyside Thus comprises around 60 distilleries in its region. Due to the fact that sufficient water, grain and peat are available, many distilleries have accumulated here. IncludeAberlour, Balvenie, Benriach, Benromach, Cardhu, Cragganmore, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich,Glen Grant, Glen Elgin, Glen Moray, Glentothes, Knockando, Linkwood, Longmorn, Macallon, Mannochmore and a few more.