speyside distilleries

Speyside Distilleries: Top 10 Best Scotch Distilleries in Speyside

Speyside Whisky Region is nestled in the Moray area around the River Spey in northeast Scotland. It is home to over 50 whisky distilleries, the highest concentration in any Scotch whisky region. Originally considered a sub-region of the Highlands, however, the 2009 regulations established Speyside as its own entity, recognising its distinctiveness. Today, the region celebrates its heritage with the annual Spirit of Speyside festival in late April.

The region’s rich whisky history began after the Excise Act of 1823, when George Smith and his son John Gordon Smith obtained the first legal license to distill whisky in the Highlands. 

Whisky production flourished in Speyside due to its abundant water and grain resources. However, the real boost came with the expansion of the Great North railway in the late 19th century, which provided easy access to coal (reducing reliance on peat) and opened up markets in London and beyond.

We’ve taken the time to analyse our Top 10 Speyside Distilleries, and we thought it was only right we share them with you…

1. Glenfarclas Distillery

Speyside Distilleries: Top 10 Best Scotch Distilleries in Speyside Speyside Capital
Glenfarclas Distillery - image from https://glenfarclas.com/

Founded in 1836, Glenfarclas Distillery remains one of the last independent, family-owned distilleries in Scotland. Since the Grant family purchased it in 1865, they have been dedicated to crafting the perfect Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky using the finest ingredients and traditional methods.

Glenfarclas offers a range of traditional Speyside single malts, from 10 – 40 year-olds, as well as the distinctive 105 Cask Strength at 60% ABV. Renowned for its full-bodied, smooth, and heavily sherried style, Glenfarclas is a must-try for whisky lovers.

In 1973 it became one of the first in Scotland to open a visitor centre, offering tours for everyone from beginners to enthusiasts, ensuring a warm welcome for all.

2. Benriach Distillery

Speyside Distilleries: Top 10 Best Scotch Distilleries in Speyside Speyside Capital

Founded in 1898 by John Duff, Benriach Distillery stands on the old Riach farm in Speyside, drawing water from a mineral-rich aquifer. Known for distilling three whisky styles—classic unpeated, Highland peated, and triple distilled—Benriach creates some of the richest, most layered single malts in Speyside. Today, under Master Blender Dr. Rachel Barrie, Benriach continues to reveal its treasures for whisky lovers to discover and enjoy.

3. Speyburn Distillery

Speyside Distilleries: Top 10 Best Scotch Distilleries in Speyside Speyside Capital
Speyburn Distillery - image from https://www.speyburn.com/

Speyburn Distillery was founded in 1897 by John Hopkins & Company, who selected the site due to its proximity to the Granty Burn.

To celebrate their 125th Anniversary, Speyburn joined the Spirit of Speyside Festival and opened its doors to the public for the first time, inviting the public to explore their rich history, marvel at the Old Drum Maltings, and see how they craft their award-winning whisky with Granty Burn’s pristine waters. Your visit includes a tour of the warehouse and a tasting of the Speyburn range. 

4. Glenfiddich Distillery

Speyside Distilleries: Top 10 Best Scotch Distilleries in Speyside Speyside Capital
Glenfiddich Distillery - image from https://www.spiritofspeyside.com/listings/glenfiddich-distillery

Glenfiddich Distillery was founded in 1886 by William Grant. The name Glenfiddich, from Scottish Gaelic “Gleann Fhiodhaich,” means “valley of the deer,” a nod to its stag logo.

By the 1960s, Glenfiddich pioneered the modern single malt whisky category, making it a global leader in the market. The distillery is now managed by the fifth generation of the Grant family and is known for its innovative marketing and sustainability efforts, including converting distillery trucks to run on bio-gas. Glenfiddich uses 43 handmade copper pot stills and sources water from the Robbie Dhu springs. Its whiskies are matured in a variety of casks, including rum, bourbon, and sherry, and are cut with pure spring water before bottling.

Glenfiddich is part of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Trail, which features several Speyside distilleries and attractions. 

5. The Glen Grant Distillery

Speyside Distilleries: Top 10 Best Scotch Distilleries in Speyside Speyside Capital
Glen Grant Distillery - image from https://www.distillerytours.scot/distilleries/glen-grant-distillery-company-ltd

In 1840 brothers John and James Grant founded the The Glen Grant Distillery , and it is one of the oldest Scotch whisky brands with a history of pioneering innovation. It was the first to install electricity, introduce steam-powered rail, and use tall-necked stills and purifiers in distilling.

The Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch whisky combines water from the Garden of Splendours with locally grown malted barley. Distilled in uniquely tall stills and matured in traditional stone warehouses with ex-Bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks. The distillery continues to innovate with the Glasshouse Collection, including 21-Year-Old, 25-Year-Old, and 30-Year-Old expressions, honouring the legacy of James “The Major” Grant.

6. Cardhu Distillery

Speyside Distilleries: Top 10 Best Scotch Distilleries in Speyside Speyside Capital
Cardhu Distillery - image from https://www.distillerytours.scot/distilleries/cardhu-distillery-visitor-centre

Cardhu Distillery, produces malt whisky with a silky, warm taste used in award-winning Johnnie Walker blends. Unique as the only distillery founded by a woman, Cardhu offers a range from the approachable 12-Year-Old to the more complex 15 and 18-Year-Old expressions. Part of the famous Malt Whisky Trail, Cardhu is a key stop for whisky enthusiasts, alongside renowned brands like Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, and the Speyside Cooperage, which showcases traditional cask-making.

7. Benromach Distillery

Speyside Distilleries: Top 10 Best Scotch Distilleries in Speyside Speyside Capital
Benromach Distillery - image from https://www.whisky.com/whisky-database/distilleries/details/benromach.html

At Benromach Distillery, a family-owned operation established in 1898 simplicity and craftsmanship define their approach. Utilising just four ingredients—barley, water, yeast, and a human touch—the distillery produces award-winning whisky through a handmade process guided by skilled distillers who rely on their senses and experience.

Honouring traditional Speyside methods, the distillery malts barley with a touch of peat smoke. This subtle smokiness adds depth and complexity to their whiskies. 

Their core range reflects this tradition, while the Contrasts range offers limited editions and single cask releases. These variations showcase new processes and barley types, providing whisky enthusiasts with fresh experiences to explore. 

8. Strathisla Distillery

Speyside Distilleries: Top 10 Best Scotch Distilleries in Speyside Speyside Capital
Strathisla Distillery - image from https://www.distillerytours.scot/distilleries/strathisla-distillery-visitor-centre

Strathisla Distillery in Keith, Moray, is the oldest continuously operating distillery in the Scottish Highlands. Founded in 1786 as the Milltown Distillery by George Taylor and Alexander Milne, it became Strathisla under William Longmore by 1830. Despite a major fire in 1879, it was rebuilt and later acquired by Chivas Bros. in 1950.

Part of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Trail, Strathisla offers tours showcasing its traditional warehouse and the distinctive mellow honey flavour of its single malts.

9. Aberlour Distillery

Speyside Distilleries: Top 10 Best Scotch Distilleries in Speyside Speyside Capital
Aberlour Distillery - image from https://www.secret-scotland.com/place/aberlour-distillery

Aberlour Distillery was founded by James Fleming in 1826. Fleming, originally a farmer and grain dealer, established the distillery on land leased from the Earl of Fife, producing whisky from December 1880. 

In 1892 the distillery was sold to Robert Thorne & Sons, later acquired by W.H. Holt & Sons in 1920, and subsequently passed through several owners, including S. Campbell & Sons and Pernod Ricard. In 2002, a modern visitor centre was opened. Aberlour offers a range of whiskies, including 10, 12, 15, 16, 18, and a rare 30-year-old vintage, as well as cask strength releases like A’bunadh. Many expressions are aged in American ex-bourbon casks and finished in sherry casks.

10. Balvenie Distillery

Speyside Distilleries: Top 10 Best Scotch Distilleries in Speyside Speyside Capital
Balvenie Distillery - image from https://www.distillerytours.scot/distilleries/balvenie-distillery-visitor-centre

Balvenie Distillery is a distinguished Speyside single malt Scotch whisky producer owned by William Grant & Sons. Founded by William Grant in 1886, the distillery began production in 1893. 

Known for its traditional methods, Balvenie is one of the few Scottish distilleries with its own malting floor and practices all five of the Rare Crafts: growing barley, malting, onsite copper smithing, cooperage, and expert whisky crafting. David Stewart MBE, Balvenie’s Malt Master since 1962, pioneered the wood finishing technique, enhancing the whisky’s depth and complexity.

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