Speyside Whisky Tour
Embark on an unparalleled journey through the heart of Speyside, where the natural beauty of rolling hills and the iconic River Spey create a landscape like no other. With deep local knowledge and a passion for the region’s charm, I am proud to offer an exclusive experience tailored to your preferences. Our carefully crafted itineraries allow you to immerse yourself in the very essence of Speyside, exploring the area's hidden treasures and scenic wonders. With only enough time for up to five stops in a day, careful planning is key—utilizing my expertise of the area to ensure your Speyside whisky adventure is as seamless as it is unforgettable.
Distilleries along the route:
Each potential stop on our Speyside Whisky Tour offers a unique glimpse into Scotland's rich whisky heritage.
The list below is organized in the order of a clockwise tour around Speyside:
Glen Moray: Situated on the banks of the River Lossie in Elgin, is renowned for its approachable and well-balanced single malts, crafted with over a century of expertise.
Benriach: Located in the heart of Speyside, is celebrated for its innovative use of peated and unpeated barley, offering a diverse range of flavour profiles that showcase the distillery's experimental spirit.
Strathisla: Founded in 1786 and nestled in the heart of Speyside, is renowned as Scotland's oldest continuously operating distillery, celebrated for producing rich, complex whiskies that form the backbone of Chivas Regal blends.
The Macallan: One of the most prestigious names in whisky, The Macallan is revered globally for its rich, full-bodied single malts, often matured in exceptional sherry-seasoned oak casks.
Speyburn: Founded in 1897, is known for its fresh and lively whiskies, capturing the pure waters of the Granty Burn and the spirit of the Speyside region.
Balvenie: Celebrated for its traditional craftsmanship, including its own malting floor, producing single malts with a distinct honeyed richness.
Glenfiddich: As one of the world’s most recognized single malt brands, Glenfiddich is famous for pioneering the single malt category and remains a benchmark for quality and innovation.
Aberlour: Known for its rich and complex single malts, often matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, offering a deep and fruity character.
Cardhu: Esteemed for its smooth and approachable whiskies, with a history intertwined with the success of blended Scotch, particularly in the creation of Johnnie Walker.
GlenAllachie: Revived under new ownership in recent years, is gaining recognition for its robust and richly flavoured single malts, offering a fresh perspective on Speyside whisky.
Glenfarclas: A family-owned distillery known for its powerful, sherry-cask-matured whiskies, embodying the rich tradition and heritage of Speyside.
Glenlivet: One of the most iconic names in Scotch whisky, famed for its smooth, floral single malts that set the standard for the Speyside style.
Cragganmore: Renowned for its complex and multi-layered whiskies, often regarded as one of the most sophisticated in the Speyside region.
Ballindalloch: Unique as one of very few family-owned operations, producing small-batch single malts that emphasize quality and tradition.
The Cairn: Although owned by the well established Gordon & MacPhail - is a newcomer to the scene, offering a modern take on whisky-making, blending innovation with the traditional craftsmanship of Speyside.
Tomatin: Although located on the edge of the Highland whisky region, Tomatin is famous for its smooth and fruity whiskies, reflecting a delicate balance of Highland strength and Speyside finesse.
Alternative Stops
Elgin Cathedral: Often referred to as the "Lantern of the North," Elgin Cathedral is a stunning medieval ruin, showcasing the grandeur of 13th-century Gothic architecture and standing as a testament to the region’s rich ecclesiastical history.
Speyside Cooperage: A fascinating attraction where visitors can witness the traditional craft of cask-making, a crucial part of the whisky industry, as skilled coopers create and repair the oak barrels that age the region's finest whiskies.
Whiskybrother, Dufftown: A renowned whisky shop and tasting room, offering an exceptional selection of rare and unique malts, and serving as a hub for whisky enthusiasts seeking to explore the depths of Speyside's liquid treasures.
Craigellachie Bridge: An architectural marvel of the 19th century, spans the River Spey with its graceful cast-iron arch, designed by the famous engineer Thomas Telford, and remains a symbol of the area's industrial heritage.
Walkers Shortbread, Aberlour: Synonymous with Scotland’s finest buttery biscuits, having produced world-renowned shortbread and other traditional baked goods for over a century.
Caorunn: Distilled at the historic Balmenach Distillery, is celebrated for its unique blend of locally foraged botanicals, capturing the essence of the Scottish Highlands in every bottle with a distinctly crisp and aromatic flavour.
Whether you're a seasoned whisky lover or just beginning your journey into the world of Scotch, our Speyside Whisky Tour offers a rich experience tailored to your level of passion and curiosity.
If this sounds like the perfect way to indulge in Scotland’s beauty and heritage, I invite you to either book your adventure now or reach out with any questions.
I’d be delighted to help craft a tour that’s perfect for you.
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Visiting up to 5 distilleries
Bottles of water
Snacks
Private whisky tasting
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Any meals (Lunch etc)
Entry fees
Tastings within distilleries
(I can offer discounts where applicable)