A workhorse Distillery with plenty of character
Discover
Speyside Distillery emerges as one of Scotland’s most charming yet lesser-known whisky producers, sitting along the banks of the Tromie River in the picturesque Cairngorms National Park. Unlike its more famous neighbors in Scotland’s most densely populated whisky region, this distillery embraces its hidden gem status, crafting exceptional single malts in relative quietude since 1990.
The distillery’s story stretches back long before the first spirit flowed. Original stone buildings from the 1700s once housed a barley mill and croft. And, the crystal-clear River Tromie waters, which continue to supply the distillery today, once powered the mill’s wheel. Now, these historic structures form one of Scotland’s most picturesque distilleries, blending traditional architecture with modern whisky-making expertise.
Small-batch production commitment sets Speyside Distillery apart from others. The distillers work 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 several years, the team has maintained a 6-day work week, reaching a total production of 600,000 liters of alcohol. The additional washbacks have now boosted production to 850,000 liters. This small-scale approach enables the team to focus meticulously on every stage of the whisky-making process.
Unlike many regional counterparts, Speyside Distillery doesn’t cater to mass tourism. The staff welcomes visitors by appointment only during specific hours, creating an intimate experience for guests who tour the facility. Visitors often meet the actual distillers and gain insights into whisky-making that larger distilleries simply cannot provide.
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 color with endearing hues of pure sunshine, while winter often brings snow that transforms the site into a whisky lover’s wonderland.
This summer sipper holds a special place in our hearts as we love The Speyside Distillery. Master distillers craft this light, delicate and characterful single malt that radiates like the afternoon sun.
We tasted our way through various vessels before selecting a punchy 8 year and 6-month-old whisky that matured fully in a refill bourbon barrel. Never approaching anything halfway, we aimed to add more depth and fun to the whisky. When we came across a mighty first fill bourbon barrel, we immediately decided to re-rack the whisky on November 22, 2023, for a 9-month finish – turning a fantastic whisky into an absolute gem.
Again, we make no apologies for our robust and raw cask strength whiskies. We bottle using only a simple 25-micron bag for this Speyside delight to catch any char pieces or sediment – nothing more! That’s why, we proudly call this ‘Whisky with Integrity’ – Straight from the Cask, nurtured and curated for you, the seasoned whisky enthusiast. Hopefully you savor this whisky as much as we enjoyed 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 honouring traditional methods, Speyside Distillery embraces innovation eagerly. In recent years, the team has explored different cask types and aging processes, always aiming to create exceptional whisky rather than chasing trends. Whether you love whisky as a connoisseur or simply appreciate artisanal craftsmanship, Speyside Distillery offers something special in today’s fast-paced world – a place where time slows down, and quality outweighs quantity. In our age of industrial-scale production, this small distillery showcases the enduring charm of traditional Scottish whisky-making.
Now, however, the future holds changes for one of Scotland’s prettiest and most romantic distilleries.
In 2021, blender and bulk whisky supplier Glasgow Whisky purchased Tromie Mills Distillery LTD, which owns the land and buildings of Speyside distillery. Back in 2012, when Harvey’s of Edinburgh (led by John McDonough with Taiwanese investors) took over the Spey brand and began running Speyside distillery, they signed a lease for the site and building. This lease ends in 2025, prompting them to plan a new distillery. In April 2023, they filed a planning application with the local council for a distillery near Strathmashie, about 15 kilometers west of the current location.
Whatever unfolds, one certainty remains: Speyside ‘Spey’ whisky will live on – music to our ears!
Subscribe below for latest news and release dates
