Arguably the most famous of all the Scottish whisky regions, Speyside has around 50 distilleries all clustered around the River Spey.
Known for being some of the most refined and delicate whiskies in Scotland, a visit to Speyside is a great introduction to those who are new to whisky.
Even if you can’t travel to Speyside, getting to know this diverse region is great fun – you are bound to find a whisky you like. Slainte-mhath! [your good health]
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Which is the best Speyside whisky to try?
If you have never tried Speyside whisky before here are 10 whisky distillery picks which you can buy online* or try in your nearest bar:
- My favourite Speyside whisky is Aberlour 12 – there is always a bottle on our kitchen whisky shelf.
- A eternally popular whisky is The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old Single Malt.
- From Glenfiddich, try the easy drinking 12 year old, one of the best value whiskies on the market.
- From Balvenie try the 12 Year Old Doublewood.
- A classic non-aged style can be found from Glenlivet Distillery, try The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve.
- If you prefer a more bourbon, chocolate finish then hunt down Glenallachie 12.
- Look out for the 18 Year Old Glen Moray matured exclusively in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks. You might also like Glen Moray 12.
- For a classic Speyside style with added smokiness try Cragganmore 12, and if you like Cragganmore you might also like Tamnavulin whisky or BenRiach, The Smoky Twelve.
- It might be young but Glen Grant 10 aged very well. This is a lovely sweet whisky.
- If you like your whisky more fragrant in style, you will love Aultmore 12.
- Another subtle smokey Speyside whisky is Benromach 10.
- For an aged whisky at a really great price, try Glenfarclas 25 Year Old.
Where is Speyside?
Speyside is located in the eastern Highlands of Scotland, in the Moray region. The region gets its name from the River Spey which rises near Fort Augustus, through Aviemore and Grantown on Spey before entering the Moray Firth near Buckie. If distilleries obtain their water from the River Spey or any associated springs or tributary rivers or streams, their whisky can be categorised as Speyside whisky.
Getting around Speyside
Exploring Speyside by car – the most flexible option which allows you to explore Speyside region at your own pace. A car is recommended for visiting multiple distilleries, however there are strict drink drive limits in Scotland and the designated driver will need to stay off the drams. Most distilleries now have an alcohol free option, or allow you to take away the samples for later.
Buses in Speyside – Stagecoach number 10 connects Inverness and Aberdeen via Inverness Airport to Forres, Elgin and Keith. From Elgin, the Stagecoach number 36 links you to Aberlour, Dufftown and Craigellachie.
By train – mainline Scotrail trains run to Forres, Elgin and Keith.
Guided Speyside whisky tours
if you prefer a guided experience, join a whisky tour that includes transportation to various distilleries. There are several tour operators offering day trips or multi-day whisky tours in the Speyside region.
Speyside whisky tours from Inverness
- This one day Speyside Whisky Tour takes you from Inverness to Glen Moray and Tomatin Distilleries for tastings and tours.
- Explore more of the Cairngorms with this tour which explores the national park and visits Tomatin.
- Visit the Moray Firth with this one day tour from Inverness to Speyside which also takes you to lovely Cullen and to visit the Bow Fiddle Rock.
- Book a private Speyside whisky tour.
Speyside whisky tours from Edinburgh
- Book this three day Speyside whisky tour which takes you to Royal Lochnagar, Glen Moray Distillery, Cardhu Distillery, Speyside Cooperage and Dalwhinnie Distillery.
Speyside whisky tours from Aberdeen
Take a 1-day Speyside whisky tour from Aberdeen to visit the Speyside Cooperage Cardhu Distillery.
Where to stay in Speyside
- Grantown on Spey – Check into the fabulous Ravenscourt House or Mount Barker for classic Speyside accommodation to visit The Cairn Distillery, Cragganmore Distillery and Glenfarclas Distillery.
- Rothes – home to the renowned Glen Grant Distillery, Rothes has a lovely Victorian garden, once owned by James Grant. The Station Hotel.
- Aberlour – Stay at The Mash Tun – hotel and whisky bar, The Aberlour Hotel, Brylach Steading, The Willy Gunn Pod, The Dowans Hotel of Speyside, or the Moss of Bourach.
- Elgin – try the Laichmoray Hotel, or go for The Neuk Cottage, or The Garden Room Woodside to visit Glen Moray Distillery and The BenRiach Distillery.
- Dufftown – often referred to as the “malt whisky capital of the world,” Dufftown is home to Glenfiddich and Balvenie. Stay at Hillside Havens, Ben Shea, Little Robin B&B, or The Gables Whisky B&B.
- Craigellachie – In the lovely village Craigellachie stay at Dandaleith Cottage No.1 or Craigellachie Hotel of Speyside.
- Ballindalloch – if you are looking to explore Ballindalloch check out The Delnashaugh or The Old Granary.
So what is so special about Speyside whisky?
Home to some of Scotland’s most iconic brands, Speyside whisky is famous worldwide. But why? First of all, it is Speyside whisky, not Speyside whiskey. Want to know more about why? Find out more about Scottish whisky in my ultimate guide.
- Speyside is home to the highest concentration of whisky distilleries in Scotland, making it a paradise if you love whisky. With over 50 operational distilleries, including Glenfiddich, The Macallan, and The Glenlivet, Speyside is deeply rooted in whisky production.
- While each distillery has its unique character, Speyside whisky is smooth, rich, sweet, fruity, floral, and sometimes slightly peaty. Speyside whisky appeals to a wide range of whisky enthusiasts, from novices to addicts. Plus with 50 distillers you can try any type or flavour of whisky you fancy!
- Speyside’s whisky heritage has transformed the region into a popular destination for whisky enthusiasts from all over the world – there are lots of distilleries to visit in a small area.
How many distilleries are there in Speyside?
There are more than 50 distilleries in Speyside. Speyside is a sub region of the Highland distillery region.
Visiting Speyside whisky distilleries
- Aberlour, Charlestown of Aberlour – established in 1885 explore Aberlour Distillery (meaning “the mouth of the chattering stream”) on a guided tour or tasting to discover their rich, fruity Speyside whiskies (tastings only at 2023 due to refurbishment)
- Ballindalloch Distillery – using only barley grown on the Ballindalloch Estate, distillery tours start at £20pp.
- Balvenie Distillery, Dufftown – view the entire whisky making process from start to finish, including visiting a working maltings floor, kiln and cooperage at Balvenie Distillery, tours start at £50pp and include a whisky tasting.
- Benriach, Elgin – drawing water from a mineral-rich aquifer, deep beneath the distillery, Benriach Distillery was built by John Duff in 1898. A tour of Benriach starts at £20pp.
- Benromach Distillery, Elgin – a family owned distillery near Elgin, Benromach has a smoky character. The classic tour of Benromach Distillery lasts 1 hour and costs £10 per person.
- Cardhu Distillery, Cardow – started by two pioneering women, Helen and Elizabeth Cumming, Cardhu Distillery is over 200 years old. The Cardhu distillery is now one of the “homes of Johnnie Walker” and offers a fabulous behind the scenes tour. Tours of Cardhu start at £19. Next door to Cardhu is Tamdhu Distillery.
- Glenallachie Distillery, Aberlour – a fifteen minute stroll from Aberlour, Glenallachie distillery offers tours starting at £25 and is open 7 days a week.
- Glenfarclas, Ballindalloch – open the big red doors of one of my favourite whisky distilleries in Scotland – the classic tour of Glenfarclas is just £12.
- Glenfiddich, Dufftown – take a tour of one of Scotland’s most iconic distilleries owned by William Grant & Sons. The name Glenfiddich means – valley of the deer – giving Glenfiddich its stag logo. Glenfiddich whisky has been produced since 1887.
- Glen Grant Distillery, Rothes – tours of Glen Grant start at £10 – don’t miss a stroll around the distillery’s Victorian Garden with its ‘global greenhouse’ and hidden whisky safe.
- Glenlivet Distillery – visit the Glenlivet Distillery, one of the oldest legal distilleries in Scotland, and learn about their history and production techniques on their guided tours. You can also take a guided tour of the Glenlivet Estate.
- Glen Moray Distillery, Elgin – a small distillery outside of Elgin, Glen Moray tours start at £10.
- The Macallan, Aberlour – The Macallan Estate is one of the most stunning and modern distilleries in Scotland. There are a range of tours available and theatre productions! Macallan distillery tours start at £50 per person and must be booked 24 hours in advance.
- Speyburn Distillery, Rothes – founded in 1897 on the Granty Burn, the Speyburn Distillery offers an award winning behind the scenes tour & tasting for £20.
- Strathisla Distillery, Keith – arguably the prettiest of all the Speyside (if not Scotland’s distilleries) Strathisla is located in Keith and makes the whisky for the world famous Chivas Regal.
Speyside Whisky Shops
My favourite Speyside whisky shops are:
Scotland’s Malt Whisky Trail
The Malt Whisky Trail takes you around eight distilleries in Speyside – Benromach, Cardhu, Dallas Dhu, Glenfiddich, Glen Grant, Glenlivet, Glen Moray, Strathisla and the Speyside Cooperage. Explore the Malt Whisky Trail.
Map of Speyside whisky distilleries to visit
More things to do in Speyside
Visit the Speyside Cooperage – Learn about the traditional craft of coopering by visiting the Speyside Cooperage, where whisky casks are made and repaired. Visit the Speyside Cooperage.
Visit the Cairngorms National Park – explore the park’s extensive network of trails, such as the Abernethy Forest, home to ancient Caledonian pines and an abundance of wildlife. My favourite walks include the family friendly green lochan, the stroll around Lochan Eileen and the fabulous view from the top of Farleitter Craggs. Visit the Cairngorms National Park.
Hike the Speyside Way – If you enjoy outdoor activities, consider walking a section of the Speyside Way, a long-distance trail that passes through scenic landscapes and whisky country.
Visit Craigellachie Bridge – Take a stroll across the historic Craigellachie Bridge, an iconic landmark that spans the River Spey near several distilleries.
Visit Speyside’s castles – Begin with a trip to the iconic Ballindalloch Castle, a 16th-century fortress with lovely gardens. Then visit Balvenie Castle, a mediaeval stronghold and the atmospheric ruins of Auchindoun Castle, which has gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside.
Read my complete guide to things to do in Speyside
Love from Scotland x
The travel blogger and photographer behind Love from Scotland