Speyside single malts aresingle malt Scotchwhiskies,distilled inStrathspey, the area around theRiver Spey inMoray andBadenoch and Strathspey, in northeasternScotland.
The two best-selling single malt whiskies in the world,The Glenlivet andGlenfiddich, come from Speyside.Strathspey has the greatest number of distilleries of any of the whisky-producing areas of Scotland.[1]Dufftown alone has six working distilleries with an annual capacity of 40.4 million litres of spirit.[2]
Speyside is a "protected region" for Scotch Whisky distilling underUK Government legislation.[3] According toVisit Scotland, this region includes the area between the Highlands to the west, Aberdeenshire in the east and extending south to theCairngorms National Park.[4] Due to the way that the regions are specified, Speyside is wholly within theHighland region and thus whiskies produced in Speyside may legally be described as coming from either region.[5]
Illicit distilleries were common in the 1800s, but eventually, licences became available after the passing of the1823 Excise Act. George Smith was the first licensee in Speyside, in 1824, and his small operation at Upper Drumin in the Glen Livet valley eventually grew into the massiveGlenlivet enterprise.[6]
Today, the majordistilleries in the region are owned by leading international drinks groups includingDiageo,LVMH andPernod Ricard, by family-owned companies includingJ. & G. Grant andWilliam Grant & Sons and byThe Edrington Group (majority-owned by acharitable trust).
Roughly 50 per cent of Scotland's whisky is made here in the approximately 50 distilleries located in this region.[7] According to one source, the top five areThe Macallan,Glenfiddich,Aberlour,Glenfarclas andBalvenie.[8]
This dry, warm, region is a natural for whisky distillers because it is close to barley farms, contains the River Spey and is close to the Atlantic port ofGarmouth.[9] The water in the area is said to have "the lowest level of dissolved minerals" of any area in Scotland, and that may affect the taste of its whiskies. Another report explains that "quartzite at the source keeps high levels of minerals from mixing with the water".[10][11]
TheVisit Scotland website indicates that the region's whiskies have a fruity nature "ranging from ripe pears to sultanas" and some exhibit "sweet, caramel and fruity notes".[12] Another review states that the use of peat is not common here, so many of the whiskies are not "smoky"; the article concluded that "typically, most Speyside whisky is fruity, sweet, and nutty, featuring notes of apple, honey, vanilla, and spice".[8]
In addition to providing jobs and income for barley farmers and distillery employees in the region, whisky production has helped increase tourism.[13] All regions of that produce Scotch Whisky benefit; the Scotch Whisky Association estimated in 2019 that whisky tourism in Scotland generates £68.3 million per year.[14] The Association also stated that the industry supported 40,000 jobs and accounted for over £4 billion in exports for Scotland; the specific benefits for Speyside were not provided.[15][16]
The region hosts an annual whisky festival known as "Spirit of Speyside".[17][18]
Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail is a tourism initiative featuring seven working Speyside distilleries, a historic distillery (Dallas Dhu, now a museum) and theSpeyside Cooperage. A 2012 BBC article recommends a leisurely tour, taking a day or two at each distillery to appreciate the local "traditions and lore".[9] In 2017, tourism in the Moray Speyside area increased significantly, by 50,000 visitors, primarily because of the appeal of the Malt Whisky Trail in the region.[19] A Trail rep stated (in summer 2019) that 60% of tourists to Speyside visit at least one distillery.[20]
In addition to those on the Trail, some other distilleries also have visitor centres.[21]
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In addition to those single malts sold under the distilleries' names, brands associated with Speyside include Allt-á-Bhainne, Glen Turner, Lismore,McClelland's Single Malt, and Tlàth.
American indie band,Bon Iver, released a song entitled "Speyside" on September 20, 2024 as the first single to a forthcoming EP. The song's lyrics were inspired by a visit to Speyside quay, and under the influence of the local spirit.[22]
