Speyside

Introduction:

Speyside distillery is situated in the Speyside region of Scotland, a renowned area for whisky production. The distillery offers a range of official bottlings under the brand Speyside, including different age expressions such as 8 – year – old, 10 – year – old, 12 – year – old, and 15 – year – old. They also produce another Single Malt called Drumguish, providing a variety of options for whisky enthusiasts.

The Production:

Water is a crucial ingredient in whisky production, and Speyside distillery draws its water from the nearby River Tromie. This water source contributes to the unique character of their whiskies. The distillery has a production capacity of 600,000 liters per year, allowing them to create a substantial amount of whisky. Despite being relatively small, Speyside distillery is widely recognized for its picturesque location amidst the serene surroundings of a Speyside wood. With a minimal production team consisting of only four members, they focus on crafting quality spirits.

Pot Stills:

Pot stills play a vital role in the distillation process, shaping the flavors and aromas of the whisky. At Speyside distillery, there is one wash still and one spirit still. The wash still has a capacity of 11,000 liters, while the spirit still can hold up to 7,000 liters. These pot stills feature a traditional ‘Speyside’ shape, characterized by wide spherical lids and tall conical necks. The unique design allows for maximum copper exposure, contributing to the refinement and character development of the spirit.

The Maltings:

The malt used in the production of Speyside whiskies is lightly peated, imparting a subtle smoky note to the final product. The distillery uses a specific barley variety called ‘Chariot’ for malting. Rather than producing their own malt on – site, they source it from a local industrial supplier. This approach ensures a consistent supply of high – quality malt for their whisky production.

The Warehouses:

Whisky aging is a critical stage that significantly influences the flavors and complexity of the final product. Speyside distillery employs a traditional dunnage warehouse on its premises for maturing their Single Malt whiskies. Within these warehouses, the whiskies rest in a combination of American white oak and Sherry casks. The interaction between the wood and the spirit during the maturation process adds depth, richness, and distinct characteristics to the whiskies.

The History:

Although Speyside distillery was founded relatively recently in 1976, its history can be traced back further. In 1956, George Christie, the distillery’s founder, acquired the land where the distillery stands today. However, construction didn’t commence until 1962 due to the establishment of a Grain distillery by Christie in the nearby town of Alloa. After more than two decades of construction, the distillery was finally completed in 1987, and the first distillation took place in 1990. Initially, the distillery released its Drumguish Single Malt in 1993. Over time, they expanded their range, launching the Speyside 10-year-old Single Malt in 2001. Ownership of the distillery changed hands in 2000 when it was acquired by the Speyside Distillery Company and later in 2012 when Harvey’s of Edinburgh took over, resulting in a change of name from Speyside to Spey.

Visitor’s Centre:

Unfortunately, Speyside Distillery does not have an official visitor’s center. Therefore, public access to the distillery is not available for tours or tastings. However, they provide an ‘online tour’ on their official website, offering virtual insights into the various stages of production at Speyside distillery.

Visitor information:

Speyside Distillers Company Ltd
197 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 4HU
Tel: +44(0)141-2213745