Glen Spey

Translation: Valley of the Spey
Region: Speyside

The fabulous Gilbey brothers.

For more than a century, W. & A. Gilbey has been one of the most influential names in the international wine and liquor business. Sir Walter Gilbey and his brother Alfred began their careers in 1857 in London. They imported wines from France, Spain and Portugal for the distinguished London Society. Success and business grew quickly. The Gilbeys became the first English owners of a Scottish malt distillery through the purchase of Glen Spey, they acquired two more distilleries in Scotland (Strathmill and Knockando), founded a distillery in Canada (which produced, among others, Black Velvet Whiskey and Smirnoff vodka), bought a chateau in Bordeaux, created Thailand's best selling Blended Whiskey with "Spey Royal" and, and, and ...
During the high phase, W. & A. Gilbert owned 22 distilleries in 18 countries.

After the merger with United Wine Traders to IDV (International Distillers & Vintners) in 1962, the name Gilbey then increasingly fell into oblivion. Today, only "Gilbey's Special Dry Gin" recalls the once glorious times of the Gilbey brothers.

A little history

Glen Spey was founded in 1878 by James Stuart & Co. under the name Mill of Rothes. (later, 1886, Stuart also bought the distillery Macallan.)
W. & A. Gilbey acquired the distillery in 1887, making it the first English company to own a Scottish malt whiskey distillery. In 1962, W. & A. Gilbey merged with United Wine Traders to form IDV (International Distillers & Vitners).
In 1970, Glen Spey was renovated. The number of stills was doubled from two to four.
In 1972, IDV was first taken over by Watney Mann, who then in turn by Grand Metropolitan.
In 1997, Guinness and Grand Metropolitan merged to form beverage giant Diageo, to which Glen Spey still belongs today. Much of the production goes into the J & B blends.

What do I actually have in the glass?

Glen Spey produces a light, fragrant malt that unfortunately is rarely bottled as a single malt

3 reasons to love Glen Spey

1) Because "Glen Spey" is such a promising name.
2) Because Malt holds this promise.
3) Because the distillery is so central - right on Rothes' High Street.

The one drama for the lonely island

The 25 year old Glen Spey (1988/2014) from the series "The Single Malts of Scotland" has much spice and even more warmth. A lush yet elegant drama with 49.1% vol.

numbers and facts

Address: Rothes, Morayshire AB38 7AU
Founded: 1878 by James Stuart & Co.
Status: active
Owner: Diageo
Capacity: approx. 1,400,000 liters
2 wash stills (12,000 l)
2 spirit stills (7,500 l)
Water: Doonie's Spring
Visitor Center: -
Telephone: +44 (0) 1340 - 831 215
Website: -