Eight malt whisky distilleries and a cooperage form the Malt Whisky Trail in Scotland's Speyside. [1] Seven of the eight distilleries are in production and operational, whilst the Dallas Dhu distillery is a historic distillery. The Malt Whisky Trail is a local theme route marketing initiative, established to promote the region's whisky-related cultural heritage and encourage tourism.
Over half of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries are in Speyside, [2] [3] not all of which are open to the public. The heritage trail consists of the following Speyside single malt distilleries and a cooperage. [1]
A 2012 BBC article recommends a leisurely tour. "Though the distilleries are fairly close together, leisurely travellers may want to dedicate a few days to taking in the distinct traditions and lore at each stop. [4]
Scotch whisky is malt whisky or grain whisky, made in Scotland.
Speyside single malts are single malt Scotch whiskies, distilled in Strathspey, the area around the River Spey in Moray and Badenoch and Strathspey, in northeastern Scotland.
The Glenlivet distillery is a distillery near Ballindalloch in Moray, Scotland, that produces single malt Scotch whisky. It is the oldest legal distillery in Scotland. It was founded in 1824 and has operated almost continuously since.
Dufftown is a burgh in Moray, Scotland. While the town is part of the historic Mortlach parish, the town was established and laid out in the early 19th century as part of a planned new town settlement. The town has several listed 19th century buildings and serves as a regional centre for agriculture, tourism and services. The town is well known for its whisky based economy, as it produces more whisky than any other town in Scotland and is home to several existing and former distilleries.
Glenfiddich distillery is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky distillery owned by William Grant & Sons in the Scottish burgh of Dufftown in Moray. The name Glenfiddich derives from the Scottish Gaelic Gleann Fhiodhaich meaning "valley of the deer", which is reflected in Glenfiddich's stag logo.
The River Spey is a river in the northeast of Scotland. At 98 mi (158 km) it is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, as well as the third longest and fastest-flowing river in Scotland. It is important for salmon fishing and whisky production.
Strathspey is the region around the strath of the River Spey, Scotland, split between the Moray council area and the Badenoch and Strathspey committee area of Highland.
The Speyside distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery near the hamlet of Drumguish in the Speyside region of Scotland, close to the village of Kingussie. It currently produces the SPEY single malt, BEINN DUBH Single malt and BYRON'S Hand crafted gin
Glen Grant distillery was founded in 1840 in Rothes, Speyside, and produces single malt Scotch whisky.
The Glenrothesdistillery is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky distillery. The Glenrothes distillery is located in the town of Rothes in the heart of the Speyside region of Scotland. The distillery sits beside the Burn of Rothes, hidden in a glen on the edge of the town.
Benromach distillery is a Speyside distillery founded by Duncan McCallum and F.W. Brickman in 1898 and currently owned and run by Gordon and Macphail of Elgin. It is situated near Forres in Morayshire and is fed with spring water from the Chapelton Springs in the Romach Hills beside Forres.
Cardhu distillery is a Speyside distillery near Archiestown, Moray, Scotland, founded in 1824 by whisky smuggler John Cumming and his wife Helen. The distillery is now run by Diageo and the distillery's Scotch whisky makes up an important part of the Johnnie Walker blended whiskies. The word "Cardhu" derives from the Scottish Gaelic Carn Dubh, meaning "Black Rock".
Glen Moray distillery is a Speyside distillery producing single malt scotch whisky. Situated on the banks of the River Lossie in Elgin, Moray the distillery started production in September 1897. It was sold in 2008 by the Glenmorangie Company Ltd. to La Martiniquaise.
Mannochmore distillery is a Scottish Whisky distillery near Elgin.
Strathisla distillery is the oldest continuously operating distillery in the Scottish Highlands.
The Speyside Cooperage is a cooperage located in Craigellachie, Aberlour, Scotland. Its visitor centre, the only such in Britain, is part of the Malt Whisky Trail, started in the early 1980s.
Dallas Dhu distillery was a producer of single malt Scotch whisky that operated between 1899 and 1983 in Forres, Moray, Scotland. Dallas Dhu means "Black Water Valley" in Gaelic. Its whisky also appeared as a "Dallas Mhor" single malt. In 1899, Alexander Edward designed the Dallas Dhu distillery at the height of the whisky boom. Later he sold the plans and the distillery was built by the blender Wright and Greg. It was acquired by Benmore Distilleries Ltd, which joined DCL in 1929. The stillhouse was destroyed by a fire in 1939, but rebuilt. Production continued until the distillery closed in 1983; it is now a museum.
Auchroisk distillery is a whisky distillery in Banffshire, speyside Scotland.
Glen Keith distillery is a Speyside, single malt Scotch whisky distillery built by Chivas Brothers owned by the Pernod Ricard group since 2001 within eyesight of their centre piece distillery, the Strathisla Distillery.
Dalmunach distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery located in Carron in the whisky region of Speyside. The distillery was built for the Chivas Regal blends and owned by the Chivas Brothers subsidiary of Pernod Ricard group. The water source comes from the nearby Ballinom Burn, which originates in the Mannoch Hills. The distillery is named for a nearby pool on the River Spey. The distillery is located beside the Speyside Way and Moray Way, long-distance footpaths in the region.