The Speyside Cooperage
Distilleries:
Aberlour | Ardmore | Balmenach | Benrinnes | Cardhu
Cragganmore | Craigellachie | Dailuaine | Dalwhinnie
Drumguish | Glenallachie | Glenfarclas | Glentauchers
Imperial | Inchgower | Knockando | The Macallan
Speyside | The Singleton | Tamdhu | Tormore
The Speyside area has so many distilleries I have separated some of the districts onto additional pages (see the subcategories in the navigation bar to the left). If you are looking for a particular distillery and don't know what district it is in, go to the Locate Distilleries page and click on the name of the distillery.
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| Aberlour |
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Aberlour Distillery
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
The 10-year-old is a vastly underrated single malt, due in large part to its inexpensive price. The nose is spicy, reminiscent of fruitcake with sherry-toffee notes. The palate is rich and complex, dry with the same spicy, fruitcake flavors emerging. 82 |
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The 15-year-old is richer and more complex, offering a spicy, gingery nose with undertones of smoke and sherry. The palate is sweet at first, then becomes dry. There's a slight hint of earthy, peatiness. Quite rich. 85 |
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A number of additional expressions are being released in the US and Europe, including 18 and 21-year-olds. An additional line is available only in duty free shops. |
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| Special Bottlings: |
A special edition, "a'bundah" (a-boon-akh -- "the origin") is available in Europe. The cask strength (59.6 vol., no age statement), sherry cask bottling has a full amber color and a nose that is rich with sherry, toffee, tobacco, and a slight peatiness. The palate is dry and has a thick, creamy richness, some fruitiness, and has spicy undertones. A youthful sourness counteracts a powerful sherry, date, and raisin richness. The finish is long, quite dry, spicy, and warming.
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The a'bunadh is a refreshingly exuberant expression of a malt that is usually presented in softer, more gentle releases. 92 |
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A 1964, 25-year-old special bottling is exquisite. The full amber color leads to a rich, honey-sweet nose that is creamy and has elements of vanilla and caramel -- berries and custard. The palate is sweet and fruity, cognac-like, balanced by a mildly smoky dryness. 90 |
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Another special bottling, a 1970 (21-year-old), is a very enjoyable malt. Amber in color, the nose brings to mind toffee and mints. The palate is a well balanced combination of oak and malty sweetness. The finish is long, with an emerging smokiness. 89 |
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The distillery has recently introduced a multitude of special bottlings: 1976, 100 Proof, Antique, 30 Year Old, Distillers Selection, and Special Reserve, most of which are only available in Europe. There are several additional Europe only releases available through the distillery web site. These include a limited edition Silver Label a'bunadh and a Special Reserve bottling from whisky matured exclusively in Oloroso Sherry casks. |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
I haven't sampled any independent bottlings, though a 21-year-old Signatory is currently available. |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Campbell Distillers Ltd (Pernod Ricard)
Telephone: 01340-871204
From the US: 011-44-1340-871204
No visitors. |
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| Link: |
www.aberlour.co.uk |
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| Ardmore |
| Distillery Bottlings: |
There are no distillery bottlings of Ardmore. Most of the output from the distillery goes into the Teacher's blends. |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
The owners have authorized Gordon and MacPhail to release bottlings under the Ardmore name. A 1981 (no age statement, 40 vol.), is a full gold with orange highlights. The nose has sherry, honey, and faint hints of tobacco. The body is smooth and thick. The palate has a creamy, malty, and a bit nutty -- rich without being sweet. The finish is dry, soothing. 80 |
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A James MacArthur 12-year-old (1978, 56.2 vol.) is a light gold. The nose has notes of honey, tobacco, and peat. The body is medium. The palate is somewhat dry with cereal grain notes. Without the rich creaminess of the Gordon & MacPhail bottling (above), it's a rather bland malt. 76 |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Allied Distillers Ltd (Allied Domecq)
Telephone: 01464-831213
From the US: 011-44-1464-831213
No visitors. |
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| Balmenach |
| Comments: |
Balmenach was purchased by Inver House in 1997. |
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
When owned by United Distillers, a 12-year-old Flora and Fauna release was briefly available in the UK. There are no distillery releases available in the US. |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
An 18-year-old Cooper's Choice was delicious. The nose had a sweet, sugar-dusted, spice donut aroma mixed with a little oak and vanilla. The body was slightly viscous. The palate started sweet, honey-like, with a little underlying sherry. Very smooth, becoming dry. 81 |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Inver House Distillers Ltd.
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| Link: |
www.inverhouse.com |
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| Benrinnes |
| Distillery Bottlings: |
Benrinnes has not been available in the US, though a 15-year-old is available in the UK as part of United Distillers' Flora and Fauna line. |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
Two independent bottlings have become favorites of mine. If you like peaty malts give these a try.
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A Cadenhead 12-year-old (1988-2000, 59.2 vol.) is a white wine color with greenish highlights. The nose is grassy, earthy, peaty, and smoky. There's a cookie dough quality, and notes of anise. The palate is dry, creamy, and buttery, becoming smoky and earthy in the long finish. 80 |
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A Cooper's Choice 17-year-old (1981-98, 43 vol.), is deep gold with amber highlights has a complex nose, adding shortbread and butter cookies to peat, smoke, and sherry. The palate is thick and creamy, with a constant smoky-earthy-peatiness. 83 |
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A Signatory 21-year-old (1974, 55 vol.) is quite good. The color is deep amber, leaning toward reddish brown. The nose is big, with notes of sherry, smoke and peat -- especially peat. The palate is creamy-buttery, quite dry, with flavors of licorice, bitter chocolate and tobacco leaf, and again -- peat. 84
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| Information: |
Ownership: Diageo
Telephone: 01340-8725000 (contact at Dailuaine)
From the US: 011-44-1340-8725000
No visitors. |
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| Cardhu |
| Comments: |
Cardhu is one of the few distilleries that were at one time run by a woman -- and in a Victorian time when women were kept from positions of authority. Elizabeth Cummings, the widow of the son of John Cummings, the founder of Cardhu, took over operation of the distillery in 1872. In 1884 she built a new distillery adjoining the old distillery.
Much of the distillery output has consistently gone into the Johnnie Walker blends. Somewhat surprising is the fact that the whisky sold for blending is from sherry casks, but the Cardhu distillery release is from bourbon casks.
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
Cardhu is distributed in the US in a 12-year-old distillery release. The nose is malty sweet, with a slight peatiness, floral hints, and vanilla. The palate has a sweet, honey and vanilla quality at first, then becomes drier with slight traces of peat.
There's a thinness to Cardhu, probably due to the reduction to 40 vol. It just seems to lack definition. There are hints of richness and nuance that would possibly emerge if the whisky were bottled at 43 or 46 vol. 74
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
A Signatory 26-year-old (1974-2000, 50.3 vol.), has a dark, reddish amber color and a powerful, cedary nose with notes of mint, flowers and spices, and underscored by elements of leather, tobacco and tar. The palate is smooth, a little honey-like, and a little grapey, balanced by crisp, dry citric notes. The finish is long, dry, appetising, with late smokey notes.
A big, delicious whisky for lovers of big, older whiskies. 83
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| Information: |
Ownership: Diageo
Telephone: 01340-872555
From the US: 011-44-1340-872555
Tours: Visitor center with scheduled tours. |
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| Cragganmore |
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Cragganmore distillery.
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| Comments: |
Though long preferred by blenders (McCallum's and Old Parr blends), Cragganmore did not gain recognition as a single malt until the late 1980's as one of United Distillers' "Classic Malt" line. It's a mystery that it took so long for the single malt to reach the light of day (the distillery was founded in 1869), as it is an exquisite whisky with great balance, depth, and character.
An interesting story is told about a rock that stands at the entrance of the distillery. John Smith, the founder of the distillery was ploughing his farm when he discovered a treasure buried beneath the rock. Supposedly the treasure provided the money to start the distillery.
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
Cragganmore is released in the US in only one expression, a 12-year-old. The old gold color leads to a wonderful nose with complex elements of cut grass, peat, smoke, spices, and herbs. The palate is creamy smooth with notes of spice, smoke, flowers, and a touch of salt. 91 |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
There hasn't been a wide array of independent bottlings of Cragganmore available in the US, but I did happen upon a very good Connoisseurs Choice 17-year-old (1977, 40 vol.). The color was similar to the distillery offering, perhaps a bit darker. The nose wasn't quite as deep, lacking some of the spicy exoticism, but still rich and varied. The palate seemed more focused. A delicious malt but a tad less complex and intriguing than the distillery release. 88 |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Diageo
Telephone: 01807-500202
From the US: 011-44-1807-500202
No visitors. |
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| Craigellachie |
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Craigellachie Distillery
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
Craigellachie (pronounced "craig-ella-kye" - as in "pie") has not been released as a distillery single malt. Most of the output goes into the White Horse blend. A 14-year-old is available in the UK as part of United Distillers' Flora and Fauna line. |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
Scott's Selection 1982 (bottled 1997, 62.7 vol.) is a light gold color with slightly green tints. The nose is aromatic, appley, with peat smoke and an earthy softness. The body is slightly thick, tongue-coating. The palate has a malty sweetness at first, then becomes somewhat nutty/earthy, and finishes a bit perfumy and smoky. Rich. 80 |
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A 16-year-old (1980-97, 60.4 vol.) from Cadenhead is a pale, white wine color with a fragrant, nutty, malty nose that has lots of peat smoke. The palate is rich and smooth with a pear-like, malty sweetness. The finish is sweet, with smoky notes. 78 |
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| Information: |
Ownership: John Dewar & Sons (Bacardi)
Telephone: 01340-881212
From the US: 011-44-1340-881212
No visitors. |
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| Dailuaine |
| Distillery Bottlings: |
Dailuaine (pronounced "dal-yew-an"), has not been available as a distillery released single malt, though a 16-year-old is available in the UK as part of United Distillers' Flora and Fauna line. Dailuaine is a component of the Johnnie Walker blends. |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
There have been many merchant bottlings of Dailuaine from most of the major independents.
A 9-year-old Cadenhead (1989, 61.7 vol.), is a white wine color with a light, fragrant nose -- perfumy notes balanced by a youthful, cereal grain, dustiness. The palette has a burst of malty sweetness which finishes with a dry, lemon like tartness. 77
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A 22-year-old Rare Malts selection (1973, 60.92 vol.) is rich and complex. Light gold in color, the nose is quite spicy -- perfumy with notes of ginger, wood, sap, and earthy peatiness. Thick and viscous on the tongue, the palate is malty-sweet, contrasted with an oaky dryness. 80 |
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A 31-year-old Cadenhead (1966-97, 52.1 vol.), didn't fare as well, unfortunately. The overbearing aroma and flavor of varnish tends to mask any subtleties and nuances. A slight fruitiness is noticeable under the surface, and it has a wonderful, creamy texture, but it is simply too woody. A bit of water cuts through some of the wood and allows some of the more subtle flavors to come through. This would probably be a part of a delicious distillery release if it were cut with whiskies of various ages and different casks, to even out and balance the flavor. 74 |
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Currently a 27-year-old Cadenhead is available. |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Diageo
Telephone: 01340-872500
From the US: 011-44-1340-872500
No visitors |
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| Dalwhinnie |
| Comments: |
Dalwhinnie is considered a Speyside malt, though anyone looking at a whisky map of Scotland would tend to challenge that classification. Most of the Speyside distilleries are a good 25 miles away. The Spey, however, winds its way around the Monahad Mountains to within a few miles of Dalwhinnie so technically it can be called a Speyside.
Dalwhinnie has long been a component of the Buchanan blends.
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
It took a while for me to develop a liking for this 15-year-old distillery release of Dalwhinnie. At first I found the earthy, leafiness a bit overwhelming -- it faintly suggests a Bay Rhum aftershave! I now look forward fondly to it's powerful, aromatic qualities. The strength of the aroma doesn't prepare you for the smoothness of the palate, sweet at first, then balanced by a peaty dryness.
Very unique and enjoyable. 82
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
I haven't encountered any independent bottlings. |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Diageo
Telephone: 01540-672219
From the US: 011-44-1540-672219
Tours: Visitor center with scheduled tours. |
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| Glenallachie |
| Comments: |
Glenallachie (pronounced "glen-alec-y") is a relatively young distillery, built in 1967, closed, sold, and then reopened in the late 1980's. It is a component of the Glen Campbell blends. |
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
Though it has been released as a 12-year-old in the UK, it has seen limited distribution and has not been available in a distillery release in the US. |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
Occasionally an independent bottling appears on the market but I am not aware of any at the current time. |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Campbell Distillers Ltd (Pernod Ricard)
Telephone: 01340-871315
From the US: 011-44-1340-871315
No visitors. |
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| Glenfarclas |
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Glenfarclas distillery.
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
Glenfarclas is a wonderful malt, richly sherried, complex, and well-balanced in all of its many expressions.
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10-Year-Old (43 vol.): The sherry nose combines with a youthful sourness and a leafy, smokiness in a delicious mixture. The palate isn't as powerful as the nose would suggest but still complex and subtle flavors develop over time. The finish is long and sweet. 84
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12-Year-Old (43 vol.): At this point elements of age begin to emerge. The color is a light amber, and there's a peaty-smokiness to the nose, along with rich toffee notes, and a hint of oak. The palate has a nutty, peaty, dryness. The finish is long, warm, smoky, and a little oaky. 86 |
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15-Year-Old: This is a classic. One of those rich whiskies you keep coming back to. The nose is a perfect balance of sherry, smoke, and oak, with hints of licorice and dark chocolate. The palate is sweet and creamy at first, then moves into a fruity dryness.
Until recently, a 17-year-old was a common release in the US. That release is being replaced by this 15-year-old. 89
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21-Year-Old: The flavors become more pronounced, yet balanced, as the overall feel of an older, mature whisky emerges. 90 |
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25-Year-Old: I have yet to sample this expression, but I look forward to it with great enthusiasm. |
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30-Year Old (43 vol.): A bright red/amber color leads to an intense nose, full of sherry, oak, raisins, toffee and smoke. The palate is very dry, oaky, a little spicy. The finish brings back echoes of sherry, oak, and smoke. Lovers of older, heavily sherried whiskies will find a special treat here. 91 |
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| Special Bottlings: |
104: At 52 vol. this release is more mature and complex than the youthful 105. More sherry and toffee notes, and a smoother palate. 90 |
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105: This is a unique release, the strongest single malt bottled by any distillery. At 60 vol. the whisky is almost too strong to drink without reducing with water, but to do so would also dilute the experience. Most Americans have never tasted a cask strength whisky. This is a distillery release offering that experience. 87 |
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A very special limited edition (600 bottles) of a 40-year-old is currently available. |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
There is a fierce independence and pride in this family owned distillery. I assume that carries over into control of the output as I have yet to see an independent bottling. |
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| Information: |
Ownership: J & G Grant
Telephone: 01807-500257
From the US: 011-44-1807-500257
Tours: Visitor center with scheduled tours.
E-mail: J&BGrant@glenfarclas.demon.co.uk |
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| Link: |
www.glenfarclas.co.uk |
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| Glentauchers |
| Comments: |
Glentauchers was a longtime ingredient of Black & White blended whisky, though it is unclear whether that is still the case. The distillery was closed in 1983, then sold and reopened in 1989. It is now a part of Allied Domecq and operated by Allied Distillers. |
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
There have never been any distillery releases of a single malt, though Gordon & MacPhail is authorized to release an "official" bottling. It is not available in the US. |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
A Cadenhead 18-year-old (1976, 60 vol.) is pleasant. A white wine color leads to a spicy (cookie dough), and somewhat flowery nose with hints of vanilla, oak and bourbon. The palate has a thin, cleanness about it. Malty sweet at first then quickly turning dry. 76 |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Allied Distillers Ltd (Allied Domecq)
Telephone: 01542-860272
From the US: 011-44-1542-860272
No visitors |
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| Imperial |
| Silent |
Imperial has had an up and down existence since its opening in 1897. In fact, after the first year of operation it was shut down for the next 20 years. The distillery was used only for maltings for a 30 year period this century. It was mothballed in 1998. |
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
As with other Allied Distillers product there have never been any distillery releases of a single malt, though Gordon & MacPhail is authorized to release a bottling under the Imperial name. It is not available in the US. |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
A 16-year-old Signatory (1979, 43 vol.) is a pale gold color with greenish tints. A complex nose is floral, with undertones of sugar cookies, a bit of anise, and a little peatiness. The palate is slightly oily, sweet at first with vanilla notes, then becoming drier. Some heathery notes. Quite good. 78 |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Allied Distillers Ltd (Allied Domecq)
Telephone: 01340-810276
From the US: 011-44-1340-810276
Tours: By appointment only. |
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| Inchgower |
| Distillery Bottlings: |
Inchgower has not been available in the US, though a 14-year-old is available in the UK as part of United Distillers' Flora and Fauna line. |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
A Cooper's Choice 19-year-old (1977, 43 vol.) was a white wine color with chocolate and spice elements to the nose combined with a slight seadweedy character. A light, thin body led to a palate that was malty sweet at first, then dry and salty. Surprising for a Speyside whisky. In a blind test I would swear it was an island malt. Quite enjoyable. 79 |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Diageo
Telephone: 01542-831161
From the US: 011-44-1542-831161
No visitors, |
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| Knockando |
| Comments: |
Knockando is owned by Justerini & Brooks, so it's a safe bet that a good portion of the distillery output goes into the J & B blend. A few casks are reserved however, for bottling under the Knockando banner. The distillery has chosen a unique way or releasing its single malt -- it is released by year of distillation, and is not always released at the same age, varying from 10 to 15-years-old. |
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
A 1980, 14-year-old was rich and creamy. A pale gold color led to a fragrant nose with a slight undercurrent of earthy peat. The palate was sweet, very smooth, creamy, and slightly thick with toffee notes and a hint of spices. The finish retained the creaminess and toffee notes as it became drier.
A 21-year-old distillery bottling is also available. 78
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
I haven't encountered any independent bottlings. I assume since much of the product goes into the J & B blends, very little escapes into the cellars of merchant bottlers. |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Diageo
Telephone: 01340-810205
From the US: 011-44-1340-810205
Tours: By appointment only. |
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| The Macallan |
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The Macallan distillery.
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| Comments: |
Is there anyone out there who doesn't like The Macallan? Even in young bottlings there's a quality of age and richness that comes from the exclusive use of oloroso sherry casks. I tend to shy away from heavily sherried malts, as the sherry flavor tends to mask the underlying subtleties of less prominent flavors. The Macallan has a strong sherry presence but it tends to balance well, and support the other flavors. It has long been utilized by blenders to add richness to their blends.
Unfortunately, prices have risen sharply since the distillery was recently acquired by new Japanese owners.
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
The Macallan is available in 12, 18, and 24-year-old expressions in the US. A 10--year-old is available in the UK, and a 7-year-old is bottled for the Italian market.
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10-year-old |
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10-year-old 100 Proof
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12-year-old (43 vol., matured in Jerez sherry casks). The amber color is evidence of the sherry, which is noticed immediately in the nose, along with some flowery notes and a big smoky, peatiness. A full, somewhat thick body leads to a smooth, dry palate, rich with fruity, sherry notes and an undercurrent of peat. The finish is long with dry, smoky notes. 90 |
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15-year-old (43 vol., matured in Jerez sherry casks). A deep, red/amber color leads to an aromatic grape, spice, toffee, and smoky nose (though less smoky and peaty than the 12-year-old). The palate is gentle, with a dry, grapey fruitiness that dissipates into a soft spiciness. The finish is long, faintly spicy, with smoky notes. Delicious. 93 |
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18-year-old (1981, 43 vol.), red/amber color. At this age The Macallan truly comes into its own, in my opinion it's the optimum age. The nose is less assertive than younger bottlings -- a soft balance of sherry, smoke, peat, and a little oak. The palate is beautifully balanced, with dry oloroso sherry and gentle peat, smoke and oak. The finish is very long, dry, complex, and chewy. Exceptional. 94 |
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25-year-old Anniversary Malt: At this point The Macallan moves into the "Grand Old Whisky" category. The flavors intensify, yet never separate or overpower one another. A truly great whisky to reserve for special occasions. 95 |
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30-year-old: A recent addition to the line of distillery offerings
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| Special Bottlings: |
Macallan 1874 was released as a special bottling a few years ago. A bottle from that year was purchased at auction by the distillery, and the flavor was emulated for a limited release. The bottle was likewise reproduced, and shipped in a wooden crate-like box.
The color is full amber. The nose is complex, with elements of strong sherry, oak, smoke, vanilla, chocolate, and a hint of oranges. The palate continues the same flavors, starting with a burst of sherry sweetness and becoming drier. A long, dry and complex finish. If this was the "normal" bottling of The Macallan in its day, it must have been quite a time to live in. 91
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
As The Macallan is used by many blenders, a great many casks have slipped into the hands of independent bottlers. I've sampled bottles from Signatory, Murry & McDavid, Cadenhead, and White & White. Additional releases are available currently from Hart Brothers and Adelphi. I have yet come across a bottle I didn't enjoy.
Color is a key ingredient in choosing a merchant bottling. In general, a lighter color tends to suggest a second fill sherry cask. This can be very interesting as it allows for a stronger representation of other flavors and nuances that tend to recede in the distillery bottlings.
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| Information: |
Ownership: Highland Distillers Ltd
Telephone: 01340-871471
From the US: 011-44-1340-871471
Tours: By appointment only. |
