Whiskies that hail from Speyside are one of the most popular, universally known and enjoyable whiskies among all the variances of Scotch whiskies available today. Speyside is located in Northeastern Scotland in the Strathspey area. The same area has one of the highest number of distilleries in Scotland. Hence, Speyside whisky is sometimes known generally as Scotch. Similar to the likes of champagne, not all Scotch whiskies come from Speyside but all Speyside whiskies are Scotch whiskies.
Speyside whisky, which is known for its elegance comes in a vast range of options. You will likely recognize a few names as we introduce a few of the best Speyside whisky for every occasion, budget and taste preference.
7 Best Speyside Whisky
This list of best Speyside whisky introduces you to a wide range of recommended whiskies and why you should try it all before choosing your favourite.
1. The Glenlivet
The Glenlivet is the O.G. of Speyside whiskies. Also known as the ‘whiskey that started it all’, the Glenlivet is so iconic because it was the first legal distillery in Speyside. The Glenlivet brand is also known for its tropical fruity notes in the whisky. This brand is the top selling single malt whisky in the United States and number two in the world.
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old is a really good introductory whisky for single malt Scotch. Priced at RM322, it is smooth, fruity, complex and sophisticated, representing The Glenlivet’s signature style. Matured in American oak casks, the water used in this whisky comes from Josie’s Well, which gives the whisky a delicate yet complex character to the bottle.
2. Glenfiddich
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old
A direct competitor to The Glenlivet, Glenfiddich is the best in the world but number two in the United States. Glenfiddich whiskies are generally not too smoky and have just a touch of peat smoke, featuring hints of chocolate and are influenced slightly by the few sherry casks that the distillery uses for aging.
The Glenfiddich 12 year old has received numerous awards due to its unique freshness. Widely proclaimed the best dram in Speyside, this golden caramel whisky has notes of wild green apples, white wine vinegar and caramel notes with a long, smooth and mellow finish.
Perfect as a birthday gift, it is a great go-to bottle for any occasion as most people love the dense flavours, fruity notes and warm body.
Glenfiddich 18 Year Old
The Glenfiddich 18 Year Old is aged in fine Spanish Oloroso wood and American oak. Each batch of this best Speyside whisky is individually numbered and carefully watched over, which produces an extraordinary consistency and character in each bottle.
Truly exceptional, Speyside’s Glenfiddich 18 delivers flavours of luxurious dried fruit, candy peel and dates which are overlaid with elegant oak notes. The mid-range price of RM569 for a 70ml bottle is seriously worth every penny.
3. The Macallan
The Macallan is a common household brand for good reason since it has a lot to offer – from introductory whiskeys to special bottlings. The label on the bottle refers to the Highlands but it is technically a Speyside whisky since it is located as a sub-region within the Highlands. The Macallan is famous for its smooth tastes and light peatiness despite varying in flavours depending on ageing time and so on.
The Macallan 18 Year Old Double Cask
The Macallan 18 year old double cask is matured in both American and European sherry seasoned oak casks for 18 years. It is warm and sweet with rich raisin and sultana flavours and notes of caramel, vanilla and ginger balanced with wood spice and zesty citrus. Seeing that it has been matured in sherry seasoned American casks, this adds vanilla notes to the Speyside whisky and the maturation in European oak adds to the sweeter and warmer character of the whisky.
The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak
The rich gold colour of The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry oak is just a hint of what is to come. This is a deliciously smooth whisky with notes of vanilla, dried fruits and woody smoke. A well balanced whisky, this bottle has a sweet finish and is pretty much an unforgettable drink. A favourite for whisky loves, The Macallan 12 is worth every penny.
4. Speyburn
Speyburn whiskies are iconic in the world of Scotch. Although it does not have a very wide range, it offers more interesting finds and has a lot to contribute to the world of Speyside whisky.
Speyburn 10 Year Old
This Speyside whisky has spent ten years in American and Spanish oak cakes. The 10 year maturation process produces a bold whisky that reflects the rich and natural elements of Speyside. Pale gold with amber highlights, the Speyburn 10 year old is medium bodied with hints of toffee and butterscotch. This bottle is a global favourite and would do well for anyone’s palate.
Speyburn 18 Year Old
The dark golden liquid of Speyburn 18 year old has flavours of creamy dark chocolate, toffee and a gentle oak spiciness with a touch of citrus. The long smoky finish of this outstanding Speyside single malt is a favourite for many. After maturing in American oak and Spanish oak casks for 18 years, the vibrancy of Speyside is brought to life. Speyburn is particularly proud of this best Speyside whisky as it embodies the distillery’s devotion to its craft of whisky brewing like no other.
5. Glenrothes
Glenrothes are known for their slightly sweeter, dessert-like whisky. This Speyside whisky brand is known for their rich flavours of fruits, nuts, cinnamon and confectioners sugar. The brand has a wide range of whiskies, vintages and reserve expressions.
Glenrothes 12 Year Old
The Glenrothes 12 year old is a classic for the brand. This bottle is part of The Soleo Collection, which is a range of five whiskies ranging from 10 to 25 years produced by the Speyside distillery. It pays homage to the grapes, from which certain sherries like Pedro Ximenez are made. The 12 year old has notes of vanilla, melon, banana and cinnamon with a long and sweet finish.
Glenrothes 40 Year Old
The Glenrothes 40 year old is a rare whisky. Only 594 bottles were released by Berry Bros & Rudd, each individually numbered and presented in an oak box. The master whisky maker at Glenrothes, Gordon Motion, said that forty years ago, the Glenrothes distillery was different in many ways but the whisky character has remained the same.
He also said, “This whisky will never exist again and that’s what makes the release of our 40-year-old so special and highlights the true rarity of this expression.”
Aromas of orange oil, peach, cedar wood and almond waft through the air as soon as you open the Glenrothes 40 year old. This limited Speyside release has flavours of sultanas, cinnamon and nutmeg that are balanced with tobacco and oak tannin.
6. Aberlour
Aberlour is the top selling single malt Scotch whisky in France. This best Speyside whisky is wonderful whisky for many reasons and will likely impress all whisky lovers. This whisky is excellent as a business gift for a partner or client.
Aberlour 12 Year Old
The Aberlour 12 year old has undergone double maturation in American oak and Spanish Sherry oak cakes. This Speyside single malt is extremely round and smooth with fruity notes of red apples and flavourful with strong sherry notes, fruits, cocoa, toffee and spices. At only RM389, it is certainly an affordable gift or just to add to your home bar cart. You can enjoy it on the rocks.
7. The Balvenie
The Balvenie has been gaining popularity for the past few years. As a Speyside whisky, The Balvenie has pronounced orange notes and honey in their whiskies. If you are looking for a gift for whisky lovers, this best Speyside whisky is perfect and is guaranteed to make an impression.
The Balvenie Double Wood 12 Year Old
This single malt Scotch whisky has a distinctive character that is gained from being matured in two types of wood. First, The Balvenie Double Wood 12 year is matured in traditional oak whisky cask then transferred during maturation to a first till European oak sherry cask. This results in all the wonderful flavours and characters of the single malt from Speyside.
Smooth and mellow with nutty sweetness and cinnamon spiciness, with of course, the notes of honey, The Balvenie Double Wood 12 year old is best drunk neat or over ice.
Conclusion
Speyside whisky has proven over and over again that it is one of the best Scotch whiskies in the world as many iconic Scotch brands are categorized as Speyside. Since there is such a wide range of whiskies available, it is best to try as many bottles as possible to find the best Speyside whisky for you. The list above is a guideline and can be used as a starting point for whisky beginners and you can always expand on it to find the best. Cheers!
