A workhorse Distillery with plenty of character
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Nestled on the banks of the Tromie River in the picturesque Cairngorms National Park, Speyside Distillery stands as one of Scotland’s most charming yet lesser-known whisky producers. Unlike its more famous neighbours in Scotland’s most densely populated whisky region, this distillery embraces its role as a hidden gem, producing exceptional single malts in relative quietude since 1990.
The distillery’s story begins long before its first spirit flowed. The original stone buildings date back to the 1700s, when they served as a barley mill and croft. The crystal-clear waters of the River Tromie, which still supply the distillery today, once powered the mill’s wheel. These historic buildings now house one of Scotland’s most picturesque distilleries, seamlessly blending traditional architecture with modern whisky-making expertise.
What sets Speyside Distillery apart is its dedication to small-batch production. The distillery is equipped with a 4.2 ton semi-lauter mash tun, six stainless steel wash backs with a 70-120 hour fermentation time, and one pair of stills. For the last few years, they have been working a 6 day a week with a total production of 600,000 litres of alcohol, however – the additional washbacks have increased the production to 850,000 litres. This small-scale approach allows for meticulous attention to detail at every stage of the whisky-making process.
Unlike many of its counterparts in the region, Speyside Distillery isn’t set up for mass tourism. Visits are by appointment only with set hours, creating an intimate experience for those lucky enough to arrange a tour. Guests often find themselves in the company of the actual distillers, gaining insights into the whisky-making process that larger distilleries simply can’t offer.
The distillery’s location, at the foot of the Cairngorm mountains, provides a stunning backdrop that changes dramatically with the seasons. In spring, the surrounding gardens burst into colour, with endearing hues of pure sunshine, while winter often brings a dusting of snow that transforms the site into a whisky lover’s winter wonderland.
This summer sipper holds a special place in our hearts as we’re big fans of The Speyside Distillery. The whisky lovingly created is a light, delicate and characterful single malt that’s as bright as the afternoon sun.
Tasting our way through various vessels, we settled on a punchy 8 year and 6-month-old whisky that was matured full term in a refill bourbon barrel. Never doing anything in halves, we wanted to add a little more depth and fun to the whisky. So, when a mighty first fill bourbon barrel came across our desks, the decision was made and we re-racked the whisky on the 22nd of November 2023 for a 9-month finish – turning a fantastic whisky into an absolute gem.
Once again, we make no apologies for the robust and raw cask strength whiskies we bottle using only a simple 25-micron bag for this Speyside delight, to catch any pieces of char or sediment from entering the bottle – and that is it! it’s ‘Whisky with Integrity’ – Straight from the Cask, nurtured and curated for you guys, the seasoned whisky enthusiast. We hope you enjoy the whisky as much as we did selecting and nurturing it. Learn more HERE.
Timeline courtesy of Ingvar Ronde, ‘Malt Whisky Year Book’
1956 – George Christie buys a piece of land at Drumgouish, near Kingussie.
1957 – He starts a grain distillery near Aloha.
1962 – Christie commissions the drystone diker, Alex Fairlie to build a distillery in Drumgouish.
1986 – Scowis assumes ownership.
1987 – The distillery is completed.
1990 – The distillery is on stream in December.
1993 – The first single malt, Drumgouish is launched.
1999 – Speyside 8yo is launched.
2000 – Speyside distillery is sold to a group of private investors, including Ricky Christie, Ian Jerman and Sir James Ackroyd.
2001 – Speyside 10yo is launched.
2012 – Speyside distillery is sold to Harvy’s of Edinburgh.
2014 – A new range, ‘Spey’ from Speyside distillery is launched with a NAS, 12-year-old and an 18yo.
2015 – The range is revamped again with new releases – including Tenne, 12yo and 18yo.
2016 – ‘Byron’s choice – the Marriage’ and Spey Cask cast 27 are released.
2017 – ‘Trutina’ and ‘Fuma’ are released.
2019 – Cast strength versions of Tenne, Trutina and Fumare are released.
2020 – A 10yo bourbon/port, a peated a 12yo Port cask are released.
While Speyside Distillery honours traditional methods, it’s not afraid to innovate. Recent years have seen experiments with different cask types and aging processes, always with an eye toward creating exceptional whisky rather than chasing trends. Whether you’re a seasoned whisky connoisseur or simply appreciate artisanal craftsmanship, Speyside Distillery represents something special in today’s fast-paced world – a place where time moves a little slower, and quality still takes precedence over quantity. In an age of industrial-scale production, this small distillery stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of traditional Scottish whisky-making.
And now, it seems the days may be numbered for one of the prettiest and most romantic distilleries in Scotland, at least in the hands of the current owners.
In 2021 the blender and bulk whisky supplier Glasgow Whisky bought the Tromie Mills Distillery LTD, the company that owns the land and the building that comprise Speyside distillery. In 2012, when Harvey’s of Edinburgh (with John McDonough at the helm and aided by Taiwanese investors), took over the Spey brand and the running of Speyside distillery, they were leasing the site and the building. The lease expires in 2025 and now they are looking to build a new distillery. In April 2023 a planning application for a distillery near Strathmashie, approx.15 kilometres west of the current site, was submitted to the local council.
Whatever happens, one thing is for certain, Speyside ‘Spey’ whisky is here to stay – and that’s ‘music’ to our ears!
