Braeval Distillery, located in the Braes of Glenlivet region, has a rich history intertwined with illicit whisky-making, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the remote, sheltered highlands were ideal for moonshining. Local rumors suggest that illegal distilling may have continued until relatively recently, further adding to the mystique of the area. Despite the […]
Benromach Distillery, located in Forres, has a fascinating history marked by two distinct phases. Originally built in 1898 and beginning production in 1900, it was part of the wave of new distilleries built in the late 19th century. Its early years saw intermittent production, passing through multiple ownerships, including Macdonald Greenlees, Joseph Hobbs, National Distillers […]
Benrinnes Distillery, located on the lower slopes of Speyside’s Ben Nevis mountain, produces a unique and meaty whisky that has become highly valued by blenders but has never reached the forefront as a single malt. Its six stills are arranged in two pairs of three, and for many years, a form of partial triple distillation […]
BenRiach Distillery, located near Elgin in Speyside, shares a similar fruit-forward character with its neighboring distilleries, Glen Elgin and Longmorn, with a flavor profile driven by pears, peaches, and an aromatic top note. While vibrant when young, the whisky matures well, especially in refill casks, where the fruit notes develop a tropical edge and additional […]
Balvenie Distillery, situated on the same expansive site as Glenfiddich and Kininvie, produces whisky in a notably different manner. One of its unique features is the retention of traditional floor maltings, which, while only contributing up to 15% of the total mash, is believed to impart a distinct character to the new make, potentially influenced […]
Balmenach Distillery, located a mile inland from Cromdale, is one of Speyside’s most traditional distilleries and produces a distinct ‘old-style’ whisky. The process at Balmenach is marked by long fermentation times, relatively small stills run quickly, and the use of worm tubs for condensation, as opposed to the more modern shell and tube condensers. This […]
Ballindalloch Distillery, hailed as Scotland’s first single estate distillery, holds a unique place in whisky history. Situated on the grounds of Ballindalloch Castle, built in 1546, the distillery marks the Macpherson-Grant family’s return to the distilling industry. The family’s whisky history dates back to 1869 when they leased part of the Ballindalloch estate to John […]
Aultmore is a whisky defined by its intensity, with a production process that emphasizes clarity and slow distillation to bring out its distinctive character. The distillery uses clear wort and long fermentations, while its relatively small stills with downward lyne arms maximize reflux, which helps produce a complex whisky with both fragrant and substantial qualities. […]
Auchroisk, pronounced “Orth-rusk,” is a distinctive distillery known for producing a “nutty-spicy” character, a result of its unique production methods. The heavy character of its whisky is achieved through rapid mashing, quick fermentation, and a fast boiling regime in the wash stills that almost cooks the solids, allowing a controlled carryover of some solids. This […]
Allt-a-Bhainne is a relatively modern distillery in Speyside, notable for its unique, streamlined design and its focus on production efficiency. Built in 1975 by Seagram, the distillery was designed to be operated by a single person, with all equipment housed in a single room. The mash tun is situated at one end of the room, […]
