SpeysideSingle Malt Scotch Whisky
Geographically, Speyside is a region in Morayshire within the Highlands of Scotland. For whisky purposes, it is distinguished as a sub-region of the Highlands due to the concentration of distilleries in the area and some stylistic similarities between them.
Wild beginnings
Following the Excise Act of 1823, the first licence to legally distil whisky in the Highlands was granted in 1824 to George Smith and his son John Gordon Smith of the Glenlivet distillery in Speyside. For many years afterwards, George carried a pair of hair-trigger pistols to protect himself and his family from reprisals by illicit distillers. John made do with a cutlass.
Famous name
Glenlivet’s popularity was such that in the early days of whisky, dozens of distilleries had a ‘Glenlivet’ suffix appended to their names by owners or bottlers at some point. Notable culprits included Macallan-Glenlivet, Glenfarclas-Glenlivet and Aberlour-Glenlivet.
Speyside or Highland?
Historically, there was some debate over which Highland distilleries qualified as being in Speyside. Many famous Speyside distilleries, including Dalwhinnie and Macallan, still label themselves as Highland on their packaging, leading to some confusion among whisky fans.
To clear the matter up, the Speyside region was defined in The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009. Under the new regulations, distilleries including Glendronach, Ardmore, Tomatin, Macduff, anCnoc and Royal Brackla, previously considered by many to be Speyside distilleries, became officially classed as Highland.
Did you know?
- Glenfiddich is the world's best-selling single malt. Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and Macallan make up one-third of the entire single malt market.
- Diageo’s Roseisle distillery, which opened in 2009, is Scotland’s largest distillery with a capacity of 12.5 million litres per year.
- Between them, the active Speyside distilleries account for more than 60% of Scotland’s single malt whisky production.
Typical Character and Style of Speyside
- Apple
- Vanilla
- Oak
- Malt
- Nutmeg
- Dried Fruit
Distilleries in Speyside
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Style
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Single Cask
Limited Edition
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Mortlach 15 Year OldGame of Thrones Six Kingdoms
$93.48
($133.55 per litre)
Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera
$56.28
($80.40 per litre)
Aberlour 14 Year OldDouble Cask
$63.72
($91.03 per litre)
Cardhu Gold ReserveGame of Thrones House Targaryen
$45.65
($65.22 per litre)
Glenfiddich 18 Year Old
$93.27
($133.25 per litre)
Benrinnes 15 Year OldFlora & Fauna
$57.13
($81.62 per litre)
Glenlivet 200712 Year Old Distillery Reserve Collection
$84.98
($169.96 per litre)
Mortlach 16 Year OldDistiller's Dram
$111.61
($159.44 per litre)
Aberlour 11 Year OldOloroso Sherry
$74.35
($106.22 per litre)
Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition2022 Release
$76.48
($109.25 per litre)
Macallan 18 Year Old Double Cask2022 Release
$382.65
($546.65 per litre)
Glenallachie 15 Year OldSherry Cask
$76.26
($108.95 per litre)
Personalised 12 Year Old Speyside Scotch Whisky
$79.67
($113.81 per litre)
Glenrothes 12 Year Old
$44.59
($63.70 per litre)
Aberlour A'Bunadh AlbaBourbon Barrels Batch 5
$96.46
($137.80 per litre)
Benriach The Twelve12 Year Old
$45.65
($65.22 per litre)
Longmorn 18 Year OldSecret Speyside
$107.36
($153.36 per litre)
Balvenie 17 Year OldWeek of Peat
$123.30
($176.14 per litre)
Glenallachie 12 Year Old
$53.62
($76.61 per litre)
Aberlour A'Bunadh Batch 77
$91.36
($130.51 per litre)
Benriach The Twenty One21 Year Old
$148.81
($212.59 per litre)
Cardhu Gold ReserveCask Selection
$39.28
($56.11 per litre)
Glenfarclas 21 Year Old
$207.27
($296.10 per litre)
Glenlivet 201110 Year Old Single Cask Edition
$74.35
($148.70 per litre)