What Speyside means?

A Speyside whisky is also classed as a subdivision of the Highland region, so the true regional taste is open for debate; it can be defined simply as a whisky that's made in the Strathspey area; “strath” meaning “near”. For a whisky to be classed as a Speyside, it needs to be created near the river Spey.

Why is it called Speyside?

Speyside is as close as most whisky lovers will ever come to the center of the single malt universe. This sub-region of the Highlands takes its name from the River Spey and is home to half of Scotland's single malt whisky distilleries.

What is Speyside known for?

Speyside whiskies are known for being frugal with peat and full of fruit. Apple, pear, honey, vanilla and spice all have a part a role in expressions from this region, which are commonly matured in Sherry casks.

What is the difference between Speyside and Highland Scotch?

You may have heard that whiskies display 'classic' Speyside or Highland character, but in reality, the range of styles found in whiskies from both regions is huge – it is far too simplistic to say that Speyside whiskies are all about clean, fruity elegance while Highland drams are characterised by rugged spice and peat ...

What region is Speyside?

The region of Speyside is located in the northeast of Scotland surrounding the River Spey; it's a sub-region to the neighbouring Highlands because of the high density of distilleries in the area. It's home to the highest number of distilleries in Scotland, with well over 60 at present.

Scotch Whisky – Speyside Region Deep Dive

What are the 4 regions of Scotland?

Scotland Whisky Regions Map

Originally, Scotland broke down into four officially-recognised whisky regions: Highlands, Lowlands, Isle of Islay, and Campbeltown.

Is Glenfiddich a Speyside?

The Glenfiddich 15 year old, a fine Speyside malt Scotch whisky. Aged in American bourbon and sherry casks for 15 years. It is then married in a Solera vat for four months. While American oak Casks have replaced the traditional European Oak Casks, the renowned Glenfiddich spirit still remains.

Is the Macallan a Speyside whisky?

The Macallan, Speyside

Macallan distillery is a single malt whisky distillery in Craigellachie, part of the Speyside region of Scotland. The distillery was founded by Alexander Reid in 1824, one of the first distilleries in Scotland to have a legal license for distilling whisky.

Is Macallan Scotch Speyside?

Another Speyside brand, maybe the most luxurious of them all, is The Macallan. (Editor's Note: Confusingly, though The Macallan bottle labels state “Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky”, the brand prefers to be known as a Speyside whisky. As Speyside is technically a subregion of the Highlands, it is allowed.)

What does Speyside mean in whisky?

A Speyside whisky is also classed as a subdivision of the Highland region, so the true regional taste is open for debate; it can be defined simply as a whisky that's made in the Strathspey area; “strath” meaning “near”. For a whisky to be classed as a Speyside, it needs to be created near the river Spey.

Which Scotch is from Speyside?

The two best-selling single malt whiskies in the world, The Glenlivet and Glenfiddich, come from Speyside. Strathspey has the greatest number of distilleries of any of the whisky-producing areas of Scotland.

What is the difference between Islay and Speyside?

As a result, Speyside whiskies are often found to have a mellow minerality with flavors of sweet fruits. Islay is much smaller in terms of both geographic area and number of distilleries, but it rivals the larger Speyside and Highlands regions in terms of influence.

Is Glasgow in Speyside?

Glasgow Whisky has hailed the next stage in its expansion as the company announced its purchase of Tromie Mills Distillery Ltd, the company which owns the land and buildings comprising Speyside Distillery in Drumguish, Kingussie.

Is Glenlivet a Speyside?

The name “Glenlivet” became recognizable shorthand for a certain style of single malt. Glenlivet's single malt as we know it is estery, fruity, and floral—flavors that are consistently assigned to the “Speyside style” by both whisky makers and drinkers today.

What region is Glenfiddich whiskey?

Glenfiddich (Scottish English: [ɡlɛnˈfɪdɪç]) is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky produced by William Grant & Sons in the Scottish burgh of Dufftown in Moray. Glenfiddich means "valley of the deer" in Scottish Gaelic, which is reflected in Glenfiddich's stag logo.

What region is Glenfiddich from?

Glenfiddich History: Our Scottish Highlands Single Malt Whisky Story.

What region is Johnnie Walker?

It is made exclusively from single malts from the Speyside region of Scotland, with whisky from the distilleries of Cardhu and Glendullan at its heart. Johnnie Walker Black Label Highlands Origin has a rich and dark fruitiness, the company reports, with red berry and stone fruit notes.

What region is Macallan scotch from?

The Birthplace Of Every Bottle Of The Macallan. We look forward to welcoming you to The Macallan Estate in Speyside, Scotland, and sharing an insight into the process, production, people and passion that makes our single malt whisky so special.

What's the difference between Scotch and whiskey?

Back to Encyclopedia Britannica: Scotch is a whisky (no e) that gets its distinctive smoky flavor from the process in which it is made: the grain, primarily barley, is malted and then heated over a peat fire. A whisky cannot be called Scotch unless it is entirely produced and bottled in Scotland.

Why are there so many distilleries in Speyside?

The lush, fertile valley of the River Spey is undoubtedly the heart of single malt whisky distilling in Scotland. The abundance and quality of its water is the principal reason why whisky distilleries have flocked to the Speyside region.

What does Glenlivet mean in English?

In 1824, a businessman named George Smith applied for one of the first licenses in the Speyside region of Scotland and opened the doors to The Glenlivet Distillery. Glenlivet, translated from Gaelic, means “valley of the smooth flowing one” and is most likely referencing the nearby River Livet.

What does Glen mean Scotch?

When it comes to whisky, the word "glen," meaning "narrow valley" in Gaelic, is automatically associated with Scotch Whisky, the Scottish Whisky Association argued.

Is Chivas Regal single malt?

At Chivas Regal, we use a blend of single malt and grain whiskies from Scotland's very best distilleries. These include the hugely respected Strathclyde and Longmorn distilleries, and of course, the legendary Strathisla distillery, which produces the single malt at the heart of our blends.