Speyside

A true "golden triangle" of whisky, Speyside stretches from the Cairngorm mountains in the south to the Moray Firth, bordered by two rivers: the Findhorn in the west and the Deveron in the east. But it is another river, the Spey, that gave the region its name. It is in its tributaries, the Fiddich, the Livet and the Avon, that most of the region's distilleries draw their water. Speyside is also known for having the highest concentration of distilleries, representing nearly a third of all Scottish malt whisky distilleries. The presence of many rivers and the temperate climate make it a naturally fertile region, ideal for growing barley. The surrounding mountains once acted as a natural barrier against government agents and provided many perfect hiding places that encouraged illegal distillation. It is no surprise that Speyside today has such a high number of distilleries. Speyside whiskies are generally known for their fruity notes, such as white fruits and red fruits, and for their smooth and rounded character. However, some also offer smoky, woody or spicy aromas. Among the most famous are Balvenie, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Macallan, Mortlach and Glendronach, as well as smaller and lesser-known distilleries appreciated by connoisseurs, such as Benriach, Benromach and Glenrothes.