Trifter

THE PURSUIT OF THE SPIRIT

WHISKY, Uiseg Bretha or the Water of Life has been distilled in the Scottish Highlands since man discovered the secrets of distilling.  Thrilling tales have been told of clashes with the Excisemen.  It forms a major part of Scotland’s economy and now there is the Malt Whisky Trail in Speyside.

            Speyside is home to more than half of Scotland’s distillers.  Seven of these and a cooperage have combined to form the world’s only malt whisky trail.  It is set among stunning mountain and coastal scenery in historical towns and villages Every place offers a traditional Highland welcome.

Early distillers began their operations in the Spey Valley because of its abundant natural resources that they found there.  There was the spring water and barley.  The climate  of long summer days and the right amount of rain was ideal.  Above all the area was almost inaccessible to the excisemen.

The Benromach distillery, the smallest working one was founded in 1898.  It underwent many closures until it was rescued by whisky specialists Gordon and MacPhail in 1993.  The conducted an extensive reinstallation programme which brought it back to its former glory.  The Prince of Wales opened the restored distillery in 1998.

The drier room was turned into a visitor centre which opened in 1999.  Visitors can sit in the Wee Nook to watch a vide on the history of Gordon and Macphail and how Benromach is produced.  There are guided tours with language sheets available, exhibition and gift shop.

It is open from 10:00 to 16:00 on Mondays to Fridays from October to Christmas and February and March, 09:30 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday from April to September and noon to 16:00 on Sundays in June, July and August. The last tour of the day is one hour before closing.

Cardow Distillery in Knockando, which produces the 12 year old Cardhu pure malt whisky, is the only distillery to have been established by a woman.  It uses a deliberately slow rate of distillation which creates the silky tasting spirit that is used in some of the Johnnie walker blended whiskies.  This distillery is open from 11:00 to 14;00 on Mondays to Fridays between October and Easter, 10:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday from Easter to June, 10:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and noon until 16:00 on Sundays from July to September.  Cardow is closed between Christmas and New Year.

Dallas Dhu Historic Distillery at Forres was the last distillery to have been built in the area during the 19th Century.  Visitors can wander at will through this distillery, which is a perfectly preserved time capsule, displaying the whole aspect of the distillery’s art.  There is an audio tour in French, German. Italian and Spanish as well as English.  They can enjoy a dram in the audio-visual theatre, which relates the story of Scotch whisky.  There is also an exhibition with gift shop and picnic area.

Opening tomes are 09:300 to 16:30 on Monday to Wednesday and Saturday, 09:30 to 12:30 on Thursday and 14:00 to 16:30 on Sunday from January to March, 09:30 to 18:30 all week from April through to September and 09:30 to 16:30 on Saturday to Wednesday from October to December.  Dallas Dhu is closed on Thursday and Friday during this period.

The Glenfiddich Distillery at Dufftown, belonging to William Grant and Sons is one of the few whisky companies that remain in the hands of the family, who founded them.  Glenfiddich, the world’s favourite single malt whisky is the only Highland whisky to be distilled, matured and bottle in its own distillery.  There are free guided tours, a distillery film in six languages, gift shop, large car park and outdoor picnic tables.  Glenfiddich also holds a connoisseurs tour.

Glenfiddich is open from 09:30 to 16:30 on Mondays from early January to mid December and 09:30 to 16:30 on Saturdays and noon to 16:30 on Sundays between Easter and mid October.

Glen Grant Distillery and Garden at Rothes, which was founded in 1840 is unique in being the only one to be named after its owners.  There is a free guided tour after which visitors can stroll through the Victorian woodland garden to the thatched dram pavilion with its cascading waterfall.  Glen Grant offers a free dram, gift shop and exhibition and it is open from 10:00 to 16:00 on weekdays and 12:30 to 16:00 on Sundays between April and October.

The Glenlivet Distillery stands in the wild and lonely valley of Glenlivet.  It is the remotest of the Speyside distilleries and was established by George Smith in 1824.  It offers a free guided tour of the distillery and bonded warehouse and a complementary dram of the Glenlivet.  There is an interactive presentation, coffee shop and gift shop.  It lies on the B9008 about 10 miles north of Tomintoul.

It is open from 10:00 to 16:00 on Monday to Saturday and 12:30 to 16:00 on Sundays between April and October.

The Strathisla distillery at Keith and the oldest working distillery in the Highlands.  It was established in 1786 and is still the home of Chivas regal.  Visitors can study the art of the blender before sampling a dram in luxury surroundings.

Strathisla is open from 10:00 to 16:00 on weekdays and 12:30 to 16:00 on Sundays from April to October.

The Speyside Cooperage is a working cooperage with a remarkable visitors’ centre which has gained many awards.  Highly skilled coopers and their apprentices can be watched as they practice their ancient craft.  The cooperage also repairs about 100,000 oak casks every year which are used to mature whiskies at most of these distilleries.

It has an exhibition and audio-visual display in six languages, viewing gallery, gift shop and all weather picnic facilities from March until September.  It offers tastings and refreshments are available.

The Speyside Cooperage is open from 09:30 to 16:00 between early January and mid December.

The Spirit of Speyside whisky festival takes place each May with one of its highlights being the competition between local coopers to make the perfect whisky barrel.

Anyone taking the Whisky trail is assured of a dram good time.

Cheers!