The Speyside Malt Whisky Trail

A dozen of Speysides' finest distilleries and a cooperage that open their doors to the public so that visitors can discover the rich heritage of Scotlands best known product.

 

Glenfiddich

William Grant & Sons Ltd is one of very few Scotch whisky companies to remain in the hands of the family who founded it. You can choose The Original Tour - which is free - or opt for the more detailed Connoisseurs' Tour which is followed by a tutored nosing.

 

The Balvenie

Exclusive tours limited to a maximum of 8 people lasting approximately 2.5 hours. As the Balvenie is a working distillery there are a few areas with steps and an amount of walking is required. The distillery is over 100 years old, and as such, is not accessible for wheel chairs. The Balvenie Tour commences from sister distillery, Glenfiddich.

 

The Speyside Cooperage

The Taylor family has been running this unique business in the heart of Speyside for three generations. Each year around 100,000 casks - barrels, hogsheads, butts and puncheons are made or repaired here. The casks are sold throughout the world.

 

Strathisla

Considered one of the most picturesque distilleries in Scotland, little has changed since 1786 from the cobbled courtyard to the distinctive double pagoda chimneys.

 

Glendronach

Walk along the line of Oregon pine washbacks fermenting away and the very last coal fired furnaces in Scotland. Smell the damp air in the original stone dunnae maturation warehouse as you walk past line upon line of Spanish Oloroso butts quietly giving up their "share" to the angels.

 

Aberlour

Dominated by the rugged peaks of Ben Rinnes, the Aberlour Distillery is situated at the junction of the rivers Lour and Spey. Pure spring water for making the whisky is drawn from the Lour, and the maturing spirit in the warehouse inhales the moist Speyside air. At the distillery, nature, tradition and local craftsmanship combine to create a great Malt whisky - the spirit of Aberlour.

 

The Macallan

The Macallan Visitor Centre is set high on a hill overlooking the River Spey on the glorious Easter Elchies Estate at Craigellachie. The Macallan Distillery has the smallest spirit stills on Speyside and its whisky is only ever matured in ex sherry casks from Jerez in Spain.

 

Glen Grant

Founded in 1840, Glen Grant is unique in Scotch Whisky as being the only distillery named after its owners. Today you can witness Major James Grant's legacy on a guided tour and see the magnificent shining copper stills that produce a malt of unique quality and crisp fresh character. Stroll through the delightful Victorian Woodland Garden to the heather thatched dram pavilion and tumbling waterfall beyond.

The Whisky Shop Dufftown Dufftown's specialist whisky shop run by Michael Lord, has an exceptional selection of single malt Scotch whiskies and ales lining its shelves.

Glen Moray

Whisky has been distilled by a small dedicated team of craftsmen on the banks of the River Lossie in Elgin since 1897. The ingredients, processes and skills of those responsible for producing this finest quality single malt whisky, remain constant. Your guide on a tour at Glen Moray could be one of our craftsmen. Enjoy a dram at the end of your tour and then savour the friendly atmosphere in the shop and café.

 

 

Benromach

Visit the smallest working distillery in Speyside, founded in 1898. Sit in the 'wee nook' at the Malt Whisky Centre and watch a video depicting the history of Gordon & MacPhail. Enjoy guided tours from friendly staff or from 'the man behind the malt', Distillery Manager, Keith Cruickshank. Browse round the gift shop, enjoy a tutored nosing, wander through our museum or exclusively bottle your own unique bottle of Benromach.

 

 

Cardhu

A warm welcome awaits you at the Cardhu Distillery, the only malt distillery pioneered by a woman. A deliberately slow rate of distillation together with the special qualities of the spring water yields a malt whisky of the subtlest flavour. Discover the story of the Cardhu Distillery and how the unique, silky smooth malt whisky produced there is used in some of the award winning Johnnie Walker scotch whiskies.

 

 

Glenfarclas

The Glenfarclas Distillery was purchased by the Grant family in 1865 for £511.19s. Currently the 5th and 6th generation of the Grant family own and manage the distillery, which is one of only a handful that are truly independent family run businesses. The family's commitment to producing superior quality Single Highland Malt in a traditional Speyside style, with a heavy sherry influence, was honoured in 2006, when Glenfarclas was named Distiller of the Year by Whisky Magazine.

 

 

The Glenlivet

Since 1824 the wild and remote setting of Glenlivet has been home to the single malt that inspired a region. Water from the mineral rich spring waters of Josie's Well, combines with the crisp fresh mountain air to produce a malt whisky of infinite elegance.

The visitor centre has an interactive exhibition showing the history of the distillery and the area. Guided tour of the distillery with a view of the vast bonded warehouse followed by a choice of dram from The Glenlivet range. Coffee shop offering light meals and home baking. Disabled access to visitor centre and still house.