Whisky Route #2: Speyside
Whisky Route 2: The Malt Whisky Trail – Speyside [World’s Whisky Capital]
Stretching out from the shores of the Moray Firth to the mountains of the Cairngorms National Park, the malt whisky trail in Speyside is an almost compulsory destination for the whisky lover. Being the most densely distillery-populated region of Scotland (more than fifty are currently active) and home to some of the most celebrated brands on the global scene.
It is taking its name from the River Spey, which originates near Fort Augustus, with its waters flowing into the Moray Firth by Buckie. The area has been popular with whisky makers over the centuries due to its abundance of clear water sources, an essential feature for producing golden sunshine. However, the main reason for this success is probably the difficult access to the area compared to the central belt, which made life much easier for the illicit distillers wanting to hide from the excise men.
Travellers are spoilt for choice, with distilleries and attractions aplenty. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the Speyside whisky flow. These tips will take you on a whisky journey across rolling hills, white beaches and lively rivers.
1) Taste of the past: Forres
Findhorn Beach – Photo: VisitScotland
Heading east from Inverness and following the Moray coastline – by car or train – you will reach the former royal burgh of Forres. This quaint old town, which offers a pleasant stroll through its historic centre, is home to the Benromach distillery. Dating back to 1898, the plant was made operational again in 1998 after a long period of inactivity when the independent bottlers Gordon & MacPhail bought it. They aimed to produce Speyside whisky in the typical 50s style, where intense fruity notes meet a softly peated character. Their experiments with a variety of cask finishes and levels of peat and organic ingredients make their core range an interestingly varied mix. One of the smallest distilleries in the region, they also produce Red Door Gin in their strikingly white buildings.
Without moving from Forres, we can take a step back in time and head to the only whisky distillery owned by Historic Environment Scotland: Dallas Dhu. The distillery, which fell silent in 1983, is now run as a museum and offers an exciting glance into the old days of whisky-making.
For a refreshing pause, you can head to Speyside Brewery, just a few steps from the river Findhorn and try one of their craft ales. Or if hunger strikes, hit one of the local cafes or restaurants in the town centre for a bite to eat.
If you feel the irresistible call of the sea on the way, you can head north to Findhorn, a historic fishing village where you can stroll on the seemingly endless sandy beach. A few minutes’ drive from here is also Roseisle Beach, where the surrounding forest is a great camping spot. On the way there, you may also spot its namesake distillery. Roseisle Distillery, which started production in 2017, is a workhorse for blended whisky and one of the most technologically advanced distilleries in the Scottish landscape. Praised and award-winning for its innovation towards sustainable production, it lies close to Roseisle Maltings.
2) Moray’s capital: Elgin
Moray Firth Tourist Route – Photo: VisitScotland
If you are planning to visit Speyside, Elgin makes a tremendous strategic base to reach many of the distilleries in the area, with a train and bus station offering connections for non-drivers, as well as being the starting point for many organised tours on the Malt Whisky Trail. The town is also home to the Glen Moray distillery, which originates from Elgin West Brewery in 1830. The distillery offers guided tours and a small cafe where you can sit for a quick nibble before or after the tour. Some of their cask finish experiments are worth trying, which add interesting touches to a quintessentially light, fruity and easy-drinking whisky.
Heading back into town, popping into Gordon & MacPhail’s flagship store on South Street can bag you some excellent whisky loot. The selection of whiskies – official bottlings and own brand – is fantastic and mouth-watering. They also sell sweets, chocolate and other treats, some of which would go well with a whisky tasting or make good souvenirs for those friends and relatives less interested in spirits.
Suppose you are interested in other tour experiences. In that case, you can check out Moray Distillery, which produces Avva Scottish Gin and has some exciting whisky tours or, if you are more of a beer fan, head to Lossiemouth and visit Windswept Brewing. Whilst there, a gelato pit-stop to Miele’s is highly recommended.
Just south of Elgin, you will find Benriach Distillery. A classic stone-walled building, it is equipped with a malting floor which was revamped in 2013, although it is used only occasionally. Benriach is a small distillery which has been growing as a brand and in production over the last decade. It produces a varied range of very interesting malts and provides a range of peated and unpeated drams.
3) A pretty stop in Keith
Strathisla Distillery – Photo: VisitScotland
One more stop on the train or a twenty-minute ride among hills and fields of barley will take you to the town of Keith. Another charming historic highland town hosts what is considered the oldest (and arguably one of the prettiest) working whisky distillery in Scotland: Strathisla.
Within its typical stone-walled buildings hides a fresh and contemporarily designed visitor centre. Chivas Brothers owns the distillery and is one of the brand’s flagship locations. The whisky bar has an exciting selection of single-cask whiskeys and is a lovely end to the tours or even a good place to rest your legs if you are stopping by.
Keith also offers another brewing stop with Spey Valley Brewery, which deserves a visit and a taster.
4) Whisky capital hop: Dufftown
Glenfiddich Visitor Centre – Photo: Federica Stefani
Driving through winding country roads, we head back west to visit the malt whisky capital of the world: Dufftown. The surrounding area produces more single malt whisky than any other in Scotland.
This record-breaking amount is likely related to the presence of a global giant in the industry: Glenfiddich. The distillery produces over 13 million litres a year, and its single malt is the best-selling in its category worldwide. Despite the significant capacity, Glenfiddich looks nothing like a massive industrial plant; on the contrary, it is a charming location, with a stone-walled visitor centre and a peaceful duck pond, with a good variety of tours available.
Owned by William Grant & Sons, one of the largest independently-owned whisky companies, it lies just a few steps away from its brand sister, The Balvenie. Another famous name in the global panorama, it offers in-depth tours which give you access to every stage of its production. They have their malting floors on-site (which supply about 15% of their overall need) and their cooperage and coppersmith. An early reservation is, however, essential, as they tend to run only once a day for very small groups.
Dufftown is also an exciting hub of small whisky shops where you can seek out bargains and rare bottlings.
5) A whisky cluster: Craigellachie and Aberlour
Speyside Cooperage – Photo: VisitScotland
Returning to the river Spey, our busiest stop waits ahead. First, we head to Craigellachie, a small village between the flowing River Spey and the surrounding verdant hills. This is a great place to stay whilst visiting the area, a night at the Highlander Inn is thoroughly recommended. Their whisky bar is legendary among whisky enthusiasts; its off-season deals can allow you to try some fantastic drams without driving back home afterwards. Another excellent option for your stay is the elegant Craigellachie Hotel, with their Copper Dog whisky bar providing a great selection of whiskeys and delicious food.
Climbing up to Hill Street, you can reach a centre of great interest for the whisky buff: the Speyside Cooperage. Whilst you will feel somewhat submerged by the impressive pyramids of casks around the area, you can admire the coopers’ mastery of their craft.
On the opposite bank of the Spey lies an incredible work of architecture, the new Macallan distillery. Designed to disappear in the surrounding landscape, these massive buildings hide underneath four artificial hills (complete with wildflower meadows on top)—one of the largest single malt distilleries and a very particular visitor experience. The feeling you are in a Bond villain’s lair is powerful, whilst the views from inside the distillery looking out on the surrounding landscape make the blend with nature feel seamless.
The Macallan Distillery – Photo: VisitScotland
It is now time to head to the town of Aberlour: once you are here, a stop for a dram and some food at the Mash Tun, which offers a fantastic whisky menu and accommodation, is highly recommended.
A stroll along the riverbanks of the Spey on a sunny day is a delight, as well as the walk towards Linn Falls, which happens to be hidden behind Aberlour distillery. The building is more traditional, with stone walls and a small shop at the entrance. A tour with tasting here is highly recommended, as they offer an exciting selection of core range and single casks bottlings, and the tasting rooms are beautifully furnished.
However, Aberlour is not the only whisky producer in town: Glenallachie Distillery, formerly owned by Chivas and recently purchased by whisky entrepreneur Billy Walker (formerly at Benriach and Glendronach). It is being brought back to glory with a high-quality single malt range being marketed. The tour is a great experience and one of the most straightforward on the market, with highly knowledgeable guides and a brand-new visitor centre.
6) Run to the hills: the way to the Cairngorms National Park
Cairngorms National Park – Photo: VisitScotland
Taking the A95 towards Aviemore, we head out of Aberlour and get lost in the countryside dotted with distilleries (Tamdhu, Dalmunach, and Dailuaine…to name just a few). However, turning left just before Marypark, we will focus on the wee gem Glenfarclas. This family-owned distillery, highly regarded amongst sherry-cask lovers, sits next to Ben Rinnes, its brilliant trademark red shining out of the stone walls of the warehouse buildings. One of the first to be opened, the visitor centre integrated the panelling from a ship, the RMS Empress of Australia, which one of the owners bought at an auction and turned into an elegant tasting room. The tours are incredibly well-run, with very knowledgeable guides and beautiful landscapes to view as you are taken around.
Just a few miles ahead, we reach one of the other prominent players in the industry: Glenlivet. The first licensed distillery in Scotland, its recent expansion has given it one of the country’s highest production capacities. In its visitor centre, combining an old outlook with modern design features, you can visit a museum which covers the history of the Glenlivet and the Speyside whisky region. It also has a cafe and a whisky shop for finding a little something to take home.
The Glenlivet Distillery – Photo: VisitScotland
Following the road to Aviemore, passing in front of the towering Tormore distillery, we reach another exciting spot. Ballindalloch Distillery is one of the newest distilleries in the area. This family-owned steading was turned into a single-estate distillery, with all the ingredients sourced from within its grounds. Whisky production started in 2014, so the wait for their first single malt release should be soon over. In the meantime, visitors can book tours by appointment, and you can spend a whole day with the team and immerse yourself in the experience the distillery offers.
Gin lovers can stop by at the home of Caorunn Gin at Balmenach Distillery; owned by Inverhouse, their whisky production is used almost exclusively for blends. However, gin has grown in popularity and gin tours are offered on-site.
Soon after, you’ll reach our final stop in Aviemore. A lovely ski and mountaineering hub, served by buses and a train station to accommodate the needs of the many tourists that set off for the Cairngorms from here. You can sneak a final tour of the Cairngorm Brewery if you wish; otherwise, your trip will have a fantastic ending in one of the many bars and cafes dotted across the town (one I particularly recommend is the Old Bridge Inn).
Festivals & Events
Spirit Of Speyside – Photo: luxuriousmagazine.com
Spirit of Speyside
This is a great event to attend for the variety of masterclasses and experiences available and the possibility to visit distilleries which are usually closed to the public.
It usually runs from the end of April to the first week of May, a true delight to welcome spring!
Dramathon
If you fancy blending fitness and drams, then Dramathon is the perfect event for you. In October, runners meet up for a marathon with some crucial pitstops amongst several whisky distilleries. Shorter circuits are also available.
Canoe on the Spey
Not a festival but a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the surrounding environment; canoeing on the Spey is a great experience for everyone should take part in. The company Spirit of the Spey blends the whisky and the canoeing into an entertaining experience.
Whisky journey top tip #2: water and nibbles can get you a long way
Whisky & Water – Photo: Ale Bela
On a whisky journey, where you’ll likely taste a variety of products from different distilleries, bringing a good bottle of water and something to munch along the way is always recommended.
Although water must be provided during tastings, a glass of water between one drink and the other will allow you to taste better and smell the differences between the whiskies. It’s good to keep hydrated between one whisky stop and the other, always taking time between tastings not to overwork your palate – and your brain.
Some nibbles of your choice can also help you absorb the whisky, making it a hangover-proof trip (of course, always drinking responsibly!).
Continue reading…
Whisky Route 1: The North Coast 500
Whisky Route 3: Whisky hopping across the Highlands
Whisky Route 4: The Lowlands, a reviving whisky region
Whisky Route 5: A Hebridean Trail
Whisky Route 6: Islay and Jura – Spiritual Whisky Capitals
Author Federica Stefani Whisky Writer & Jornalist