Speyside Distillery
Translation: Area around the River Spey
Region: Speyside
Sometimes it takes a while to realize his lifelong dream.
In 1962, George Christie, a successful whiskey trader, commissioned stone setter Alex Fairlie to build a malt distillery. Not any. But the most beautiful and best that you can imagine. Christie had already purchased the suitable property in 1956. Here at Kingussie, where the rivers Spey and Tromie merge, stood in picturesque countryside from 1895 to 1911, a distillery called Speyside. That's what George Christie's new distillery should be called. But until the first whiskey flowed out of the pot stills, it took some time. Alex Fairlie, a Drystone Dyker who stretches natural stone in the traditional way, took just under 20 years to build. The furnishing and technical equipment of the distillery took several more years. Only on December 12, 1990 was finally produced here for the first time.
But you have to say: The distillery has really become a gem. So beautiful that she became a TV star in the UK. In the successful BBC series "Monarch of the Glen" she represented the fictitious distillery "Lagganmore".
A little history
The Speyside distillery is one of the youngest and one of the smallest in Scotland. It was founded by George Christie in 1990 (see above). The name comes from a former distillery, which was from 1895 to 1911 in almost the same place - not to be confused, of course, with the entire region called "Speyside".
A special feature are the small stills and the low production capacity of only about 600,000 liters per year. The distillery has only four employees.
On December 12, 1990 started production. Three years later, after the legally required minimum storage, the first bottling was launched. Offered this single malt under the name Drumguish, named after the village near the distillery. Only since 1999, the malt is sold as "The Speyside".
What do I actually have in the glass?
The distillery relies on small stills and sherry casks for maturation. The result is a rather creamy, buttery body with a soft character. Caramel sweetness, dark fruit and notes of rum and raisins are in balance.
3 reasons to love Speyside
1) Because it is nice to hold on to his dreams.
2) Because the distillery is a visual gem and the malt tastes.
3) Because sometimes it pays to have patience.
The one drama for the lonely island
The 22-year-old from the South African Sherry Cask, bottled by Alambic, is a warm, soft force. Intense fruit - cherry and plum - meets coffee, waffles and vanilla pudding. Big cinema.
numbers and facts
Address: Glen Tromie, Kingussie, Inverness-shire PH21 1NS
Founded: 1990 by George Christie
Status: active
Owner: Speyside Distillers Co.
Capacity: approx. 600,000 liters
1 wash still (11,000 l)
1 Spirit still (7,000 l)
Water: River Tromie
Visitor Center: -
Telephone: +44 (0) 1540 - 661060
Website: www.speysidedistillery.co.uk
