Whisky Regions of Scotland – Speyside

Speyside Whiskies

If you’ve got ever desired to appearance to buy whisky from a whisky store or a web whisky exchange you may have observed that whiskies are classified by way of areas. So, what makes an Speyside whisky unique from a Highland whisky? This is the 1/3 in a number of articles exploring the Scotch whisky production areas. I even have examined the Lowland whisky store hong kong location and the Highlands. An region inside the Highlands is Speyside. To recognize the unique areas is to realize the distinctiveness of Scotch whisky.

Speyside is an area in the Scottish Highlands in the region across the River Spey in Moray in northeastern Scotland. Due to the excessive concentration of distilleries within the region it’s far classed as its own whisky generating place, although some whiskies from this place are advertised as Highland. There are, but, a few similarities between Speyside and Highland malts. There are round 60 distilleries in the place and of the maximum well-known single malts – Glenfiddich and Glenlivet are from right here.

History of Speyside Whisky Production

The history of Speyside whisky manufacturing is similar to the records of the Highland vicinity. The first criminal license to distill whisky in Scotland turned into granted to the Glenlivet in 1824. Probably due to the fact the considerable arable land which changed into smooth to manage (as opposed to the mountains to the west). Now Speyside has a number of the fine and biggest whisky distilleries in Scotland.

Speyside Whiskies

Most whiskies distilled in Speyside use handiest minimally peated barley. To the flavor, they best have a hint of smokiness. The malts have a tendency to be light with honey overtones and a few distilleries produce malts which might be heavier. Generally Speyside whiskies can be divided into patterns: One is mild, grassy and at the opposite stop of the spectrum are rich, sweet, sherry-like whiskies.

Speyside Distilleries.

I will consciousness on many of the quality distilleries in Speyside as there are too many to go into detail.

Glenfiddich. Started in 1886 by means of William Grant the distillery has remained independent and own family-owned. It changed into built with the aid of him and his 9 youngsters and the same warehouses are used nowadays. It is placed near the metropolis of Dufftown – right in the coronary heart of Speyside. It is really a giant in whisky manufacturing with around 10,000,000 litres of alcohol being produced yearly. All the whisky is matured in it’s personal onsite warehouses, and is bottled onsite additionally. They produce a number of malts with the youngest at 12 years vintage and going as much as 21 years old. It is the principle whisky used within the Grant’s blend – which makes use of a similar triangle shape bottle to the traditional 12 year antique single malt.

The Macallan. Founded in 1824 that is appeared as a classic single malt whisky. It has modified proprietor and names over the centuries (initially was known as the Elchies distillery). It has simplest won recognition as a unmarried malt in current years. It wasn’t until 1970 that it turned into offered as a single malt. It is now reportedly the arena third maximum famous single malt. The single malt is best ever matured in ex-sherry casks from Jerez in Spain. This gives it a candy unique taste.