Editing Speyside single malt

{{Short description|Single malt Scotch whiskies distilled in Strathspey}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
[[Image:Scotch regions.svg|thumb|275px|Whisky producing regions of Scotland]]

'''Speyside single malts''' are [[single malt Scotch]] [[whisky|whiskies]], [[distill]]ed in [[Strathspey, Scotland|Strathspey]], the area around the [[River Spey]] in [[Moray]] and [[Badenoch and Strathspey]], in northeastern [[Scotland]].

The two best-selling single malt whiskies in the world, [[The Glenlivet]] and [[Glenfiddich]], come from Speyside. [[Strathspey, Scotland|Strathspey]] has the greatest number of distilleries of any of the whisky-producing areas of Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotlandinfo.eu/moray-speyside/|title=Moray and Speyside The Malt Whisky Trail and Other Attractions – Scotland Info Guide|website=www.scotlandinfo.eu}}</ref> [[Dufftown]] alone has six working distilleries with an annual capacity of 40.4&nbsp;million litres of spirit.<ref>[https://scotchwhisky.com/magazine/around-the-world/whisky-travel/10840/dufftown/ ScotchWhisky.com : DUFFTOWN], Gavin D Smith, 1 September 2016</ref>

==Legal status==
{{further|Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009}}
Speyside is a "protected region" for Scotch Whisky distilling under [[Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009|UK Government legislation]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/2890/contents/made|title=The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009}}</ref> According to ''Visit Scotland'', this region includes the area between the Highlands to the west, Aberdeenshire in the east and extending south to the [[Cairngorms National Park]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/food-drink/whisky/distilleries/speyside/|title=Speyside Distilleries - Whisky Tours, Tastings & Map|website=www.visitscotland.com}}</ref> Due to the way that the regions are specified, Speyside is wholly within the [[Highland single malts|Highland region]] and thus whiskies produced in Speyside may legally be described as coming from either region.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.thewhiskyexchange.com/2017/08/highland-vs-speyside-a-tale-of-two-regions/#:~:text=Everybody%20thinks%20of%20Speyside%20as,forward%20Glenfarclas%2C%20Dalwhinnie%20and%20Macallan. | title=Highland vs Speyside – a tale of two regions | date=18 August 2017 }}</ref>

==Distilleries==
[[File:Glenlivet Distillery.jpg|thumb|Glenlivet Distillery]]
[[File:Balvenie Distillery - geograph.org.uk - 478092.jpg|thumb|Balvenie Distillery (2007)]]

Illicit distilleries were common in the 1800s, but eventually, licences became available after the passing of the [https://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/home/jhb/whisky/gleanings/washact.htm 1823 Excise Act]. George Smith was the first licensee in Speyside, in 1824, and his small operation at Upper Drumin in the Glen Livet valley eventually grew into the massive [[The Glenlivet distillery|Glenlivet]] enterprise.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-18 |title=The Glenlivet - The Single Malt That Started It All |url=https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/glenlivet-single-malt/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Today, the major [[List of whisky distilleries in Scotland|distilleries]] in the region are owned by leading international drinks groups including [[Diageo]], [[LVMH]] and [[Pernod Ricard]], by family-owned companies including [[J. & G. Grant]] and [[William Grant & Sons]] and by [[The Edrington Group]] (majority-owned by a [[charitable trust]]).

Roughly 50 percent of Scotland's whisky is made here in the approximately 50 distilleries located in this region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thescotchadvocate.com/scotch-distilleries-regional-tastes.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217141218/https://www.thescotchadvocate.com/scotch-distilleries-regional-tastes.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=17 December 2019|title=All The Scotch Distilleries, locations and Flavors|website=EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT SCOTCH WHISKY}}</ref> According to one source, the top five are [[The Macallan distillery|The Macallan]], [[Glenfiddich]], [[Aberlour distillery|Aberlour]], [[Glenfarclas distillery|Glenfarclas]] and [[Balvenie distillery|Balvenie]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://manofmany.com/lifestyle/drinks/guide-to-scotland-whisky-regions|title=A Comprehensive Guide to Scotland's Whisky Regions|date=13 March 2021|website=Man of Many}}</ref>

[[File:Glenfiddich 2005.jpg|thumb|Glenfiddich (2005)]]

This dry, warm, region is a natural for whisky distillers because it is close to barley farms, contains the River Spey and is close to the Atlantic port of [[Garmouth, Moray|Garmouth]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20120417-exploring-scotlands-historic-whisky-trail|title=Exploring Scotland's historic whisky trail|first=Celia|last=Shatzman|website=www.bbc.com}}</ref> The water in the area is said to have "the lowest level of dissolved minerals" of any area in Scotland, and that may affect the taste of its whiskies. Another report explains that "[[quartzite]] at the source keeps high levels of minerals from mixing with the water".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://finewaters.com/bottled-waters-of-the-world|title=Bottled Waters of the World|first=Erika|last=Mascha|website=finewaters.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemicallef/2018/05/27/exploring-the-world-of-speyside-whiskies/|title=Exploring The World Of Speyside Whiskies|first=Joseph V.|last=Micallef|website=Forbes}}</ref>

The ''Visit Scotland'' website indicates that the region's whiskies have a fruity nature "ranging from ripe pears to sultanas" and some exhibit "sweet, caramel and fruity notes".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/food-drink/whisky/distilleries/speyside/,|title=Whiskey Producers in Speyside}}</ref> Another review states that the use of peat is not common here, so many of the whiskies are not "smoky"; the article concluded that "typically, most Speyside whisky is fruity, sweet, and nutty, featuring notes of apple, honey, vanilla, and spice".<ref name="auto"/>

=== Benefits to the region ===
In addition to providing jobs and income for barley farmers and distillery employees in the region, whisky production has helped improve tourism. Hotels and others with tourism businesses then benefit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/a25427651/aberlour-scotch-distillery-tour/|title=A Look Inside Aberlour's Scotch Operation|first=Connor|last=Reid|date=6 December 2018|website=Esquire}}</ref> All regions of that produce Scotch Whisky benefit, of course; the Scotch Whisky Association estimated in 2019 that whisky tourism in Scotland generates £68.3&nbsp;million per year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitscotland.org/binaries/content/assets/dot-org/pdf/research-papers-2/whisky-tourism-2018-final.pdf,|title=Whisky Tourism Facts and Insights}}</ref> The Association also stated that the industry supported 40,000 jobs and accounted for over £4&nbsp;billion in exports for Scotland; the specific benefits for Speyside were not provided.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/oct/07/pm-must-challenge-trump-directly-over-us-scotch-whisky-tax|title=PM urged to confront Trump over US tariffs on scotch whisky|date=7 October 2019|website=the Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-12 |title=Cut duty on Scotch whisky to raise industry spirits, say distillers |url=http://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/oct/12/cut-duty-scotch-whisky-raise-industry-spirits-association |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

The region hosts an annual whisky festival known as "Spirit of Speyside".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spiritofspeyside.com/|title=Home|website=Spirit of Speyside}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spiritofspeyside.com/visit|title=Visit Speyside|website=Spirit of Speyside}}</ref>

[[Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail]] is a tourism initiative featuring seven working Speyside distilleries, a historic distillery (Dallas Dhu, now a museum) and the [[Speyside Cooperage]]. A 2012 BBC article recommends a leisurely tour, taking a day or two at each distillery to appreciate the local "traditions and lore".<ref name="auto1"/> In 2017, tourism in the Moray Speyside area increased significantly, by 50,000 visitors, primarily because of the appeal of the Malt Whisky Trail in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Sean |date=2018-08-01 |title=Record growth for Scotch whisky tourism in 2017 {{!}} Scotsman Food and Drink |url=https://foodanddrink.scotsman.com/drink/record-growth-for-scotch-whisky-tourism-in-2017/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=foodanddrink.scotsman.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> A Trail rep stated (in summer 2019) that 60% of tourists to Speyside visit at least one distillery.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-48711399|title=Scotch whisky distilleries draw 'record' visitor numbers|work=BBC News|date=20 June 2019}}</ref>

In addition to those on the Trail, some other distilleries also have visitor centres.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.highlandspirittours.co.uk/speyside-distilleries-open.html|title=Speyside Whisky Distilleries Open to the Public|website=HIGHLAND SPIRIT TOURS}}</ref>

==List of Speyside distilleries==
{{Div col|colwidth=10em}}
* [[Aberlour distillery|Aberlour]]
* [[Allt-A-Bhainne distillery|Allt-A-Bhainne]]
* [[Auchroisk distillery|Auchroisk]]
* [[Aultmore distillery|Aultmore]]
* [[Balmenach distillery|Balmenach]]
* [[Balvenie distillery|Balvenie]]
* [[BenRiach distillery|BenRiach]]
* [[Benrinnes distillery|Benrinnes]]
* [[Benromach distillery|Benromach]]
* [[Braeval distillery|Braeval]]
* [[Cardhu distillery|Cardhu]]
* [[Cragganmore distillery|Cragganmore]]
* [[Craigellachie distillery|Craigellachie]]
* [[Dailuaine distillery|Dailuaine]]
* [[Dalmunach distillery|Dalmunach]]
* [[Dufftown distillery|Dufftown]]
* [[Glen Elgin distillery|Glen Elgin]]
* [[Glen Grant distillery|Glen Grant]]
* [[Glen Keith distillery|Glen Keith]]
* [[Glen Moray distillery|Glen Moray]]
* [[Glen Spey Distillery|Glen Spey]]
* [[Glenallachie distillery|Glenallachie]]
* [[Glenburgie distillery|Glenburgie]]
* [[Glendullan distillery|Glendullan]]
* [[Glenfarclas distillery|Glenfarclas]]
* [[Glenfiddich distillery|Glenfiddich]]
* [[The Glenlivet distillery|Glenlivet]]
* [[Glenlossie distillery|Glenlossie]]
* [[The Glenrothes distillery|Glenrothes]]
* [[Glentauchers distillery|Glentauchers]]
* [[Inchgower distillery|Inchgower]]
* [[Kininvie distillery|Kininvie]]
* [[Knockando distillery|Knockando]]
* [[Knockdhu distillery|Knockdhu]]
* [[Linkwood distillery|Linkwood]]
* [[Longmorn distillery|Longmorn]]
* [[The Macallan distillery|Macallan]]
* [[Mannochmore distillery|Mannochmore]]
* [[Miltonduff distillery|Miltonduff]]
* [[Mortlach distillery|Mortlach]]
* [[Roseisle distillery|Roseisle]]
* [[Speyburn-Glenlivet distillery|Speyburn]]
* [[The Speyside distillery|Speyside]]
* [[Strathisla distillery|Strathisla]]
* [[Strathmill distillery|Strathmill]]
* [[Tamdhu distillery|Tamdhu]]
* [[Tamnavulin distillery|Tamnavulin]]
* [[Tomintoul distillery|Tomintoul]]
* [[Tormore distillery|Tormore]]
{{div col end}}

==Closed Speyside distilleries==
{{expand section|date=November 2018}}
* [[Caperdonich distillery]]
* [[Coleburn distillery]]
* [[Convalmore distillery]]
* [[Dallas Dhu distillery]] (open as a museum)
* [[Imperial distillery]]
* [[Parkmore distillery]]
* [[Pittyvaich distillery]]

==Other brands==
In addition to those single malts sold under the distilleries' names, brands associated with Speyside include Allt-á-Bhainne, Glen Turner, Lismore, [[McClelland's Single Malt]], and Tlàth.

== In popular culture ==
American indie band, [[Bon Iver]], released a song entitled "Speyside" on September 20, 2024 as the first single to a forthcoming EP. The song's lyrics were inspired by a visit to Speyside quay, and under the influence of the local spirit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Monomyth |title=Speyside |url=https://boniver.org/announcements/2024/s-p-e-y-s-i-d-e/ |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=Bon Iver |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Liquor}}
* [[List of whisky brands]]
* [[List of whisky distilleries in Scotland]]
* [[Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{Cite book |last=Barnard |first=Alfred |title=The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom |publisher=Birlinn |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-84158-652-6 |location=Edinburgh |author-link=Alfred Barnard |orig-year=1887}}

==External links==
* [http://www.greaterspeyside.com GreaterSpeyside.com - all things Speyside]
*[http://www.scotlandwhisky.com/distilleries/speyside/ Interactive map] of Speyside distilleries which are open to the public
*[http://www.speysidecooperage.co.uk/ Speyside Cooperage]
* [https://www.myvoyagescotland.com/speyside-distilleries Speyside Distillery Online Guide]

{{Whisky producing regions}}
{{Scottish Distilleries}}

[[Category:Economy of Highland (council area)]]
[[Category:Economy of Moray]]
[[Category:Scottish malt whisky]]