Speyside
The whisky “golden triangle”, Speyside spans from the Cairngorm mountains at its southern extremity to Moray Bay, bordered by two rivers: the Findhorn to the west and the Deveron to the east. But it is from another river, the Spey, that the region takes its name. Most of the distilleries draw their water from its tributaries, such as the Fiddich, the Livet or the Avon. Speyside is reputed to be the region with the greatest concentration of distilleries (about two thirds of Scotland’s distilleries). The presence of numerous streams and rivers, and the temperate climate, make it a naturally fertile region, perfect for growing barley. The mountains that surround it used to form a natural rampart against any form of clandestine distillation. So it is not surprising that there are still so many distilleries there today. Speyside whiskies are known for their fruity notes (white-fleshed fruit, berries) and their rounded, mellow character. Among the most renowned are the legendary Balvenie, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Macallan, and Mortlach; there are then other smaller, less well-known distilleries, that are nonetheless much appreciated by connoisseurs (such as Benriach, Benromach, Glendronach and Glenrothes).
GLENLIVET 1961 Gordon & Macphail 40%
old and rare
STRATHISLA 45 ans 1968 Gordon & Macphail 48%
old and rare
BENRIACH 22 ans 1984 Port Hogshead Batch 4 54.2%
old and rare
STRATHISLA 1965 Gordon & Macphail 46%
old and rare
BALVENIE 17 ans Peated Cask Limited Edition 43%
old and rare
MACALLAN (The) 7 ans 40%
old and rare
SPEYBURN 10 ans 40%
Must have
MACALLAN (The) 18 ans 1985 43%
old and rare
BENRIACH 1978 50.9%
old and rare
BENRIACH 26 ans 1984 Peated Batch 8 54.3%
old and rare
BENRIACH 32 ans 1978 Virgin Oak Batch 8 50.9%
old and rare
TORMORE 1982 Gordon & Macphail 55.1%
old and rare
GLENDRONACH 15 ans Revival (bottling 2015) 46%
old and rare
MACALLAN (The) Replique 1874 45%
old and rare