This is our Moray Speyside distillery guide, here you will find out about the wonderful array of historic and iconic distilleries that are based in our region. Discover the intriguing history behind our great distilleries, uncover secret tales of their past and learn about how they operate in present day.
A number of the following distilleries offer amazing tours that show the fascinating distilling process and many of the tours also offer a tasting session at the the end.
This is whisky country, this is Moray Speyside.
We would suggest contacting each distillery ahead of your visit as many are at different stages of re-opening after the COVID-19 restrictions and all require pre-booking for tours.
Aberlour Distillery
“the mouth of the chattering stream”
Main Street, Aberlour, Moray, AB38 9PJ
+44(0)1340 881249
Built on its current site in 1879 by James Fleming, Aberlour has grown to become the no.1 single malt in France which is the world’s largest volume market. Fleming was a great benefactor to the village paying for the local Hospital and Village Hall to be built, he also bequeathed the funds in his will to pay for the graceful Victoria Bridge which spans the River Spey a few hundred metres from the distillery.
ALLT A’BHAINNE DISTILLERY – Located in Dufftown but closed to public. Allt A’Bhainne Website.
Ballindalloch Distillery
“Baile na Dalach”
Ballindalloch, Moray, AB37 9AA
+44(0)1807 500331
The first single estate distillery built in the region and only using barley grown on Ballindalloch Estate. The estate and castle are home to the MacPherson-Grant family, the current owner being the 23rd generation to live there and going back to the construction of the castle in 1546.
Balvenie Distillery
“Baile Bhainidh” (Beathens Farm)
Dufftown, Moray, AB55 4BB
+44(0)1340 822210
Whisky creation is still overseen by David Stewart, a 56 year veteran of the Scotch Whisky Industry. The distillery offers you the chance to take in a working Maltings, a rarity now on Speyside. Balvenie was the second distillery built Wm Grant and his family, the first being Glenfiddich.
Benriach Distillery
“speckled mountain”
Longmorn, Elgin, Moray, IV30 3SJ
+44(0)1343 862888
The latest site on Speyside to offer tours and also a great new Visitor Centre experience, founded by John Duff who also built the nearby Longmorn Distillery. A small site but offering a wonderful range of diverse whiskies.
Benromach Distillery
“shaggy mountain”
Inverene Road, Forres, Moray, IV36 3EB
+44(0)1309 675968
Brought back to life in 1998 by the Urquhart family, owners of the independent bottle Gordon & MacPhail the distillery has went from strength to strength. A small production team led by Keith Cruickshank ensures the highest quality at every stage.
BRAEVAL DISTILLERY – The highest distillery in Scotland sits near The Glenlivet distillery in Chapeltown. It is closed to the public.
CAPERDONICH DISITLLERY – The Caperdonich Distillery has now been dismantled and no longer exists.
Cardhu Distillery
“black rock”
Knockando, Aberlour, Moray, AB38 7RY
+44(0)1340 872555
Regarded by many as the Speyside home of the Johnnie Walker family of Blended Whiskies, Cardhu dates back to the days of illicit distillation. Sitting high on the hills above the River Spey there are some wonderful views all around.
Cragganmore Distillery
“the big rock”
Ballindalloch, Moray, AB37 9AB
+44(0)1479 874700
Located very near to where the River Avon joins the River Spey, another one of those signposts you have keep a lookout for this time on the left as you approach Ballindalloch. Founded in 1869 as much for the natural resources as it was for the location of the Speyside railways of which many of the distillery owners were directors of.
DAILUAINE DISTILLERY – Is closed to the public but was once the the largest distillery in Speyside. It is located in Aberlour.
DALMUNACH DISTILLERY – Located in Carron this distillery is now closed to the public and offers no tours.
DUFFTOWN DISTILLERY – Founded in 1895 in Dufftown, this distillery is now closed to the public.
Dunphail Distillery
“taking the traditions of the past to shape the whisky of tomorrow”
Dunphail, Moray, IV36 2QR
Dunphail is a resolutely traditional distillery, dedicated to crafting the finest whisky the way it used to be made. From malting the highest quality barley from side to side to a demanding production regime that is completely guided by hand, we take all the time that is necessary with every stage of our whisky making process.
GLENBURGIE DISTILLERY – Located near Alves the Glenburgie is not open to visitors.
GLENDULLAN DISTILLERY – Producers of The Singleton this distillery is situated in Dufftown.
GLEN ELGIN DISTILLERY – Owned by Diageo and situated in Elgin but currently closed to the public.
Glenfiddich Distillery
“the valley of the deer”
Dufftown, Moray, AB55 4DH
+44 (0)1340 820373
Started in distilling on Christmas Day 1887 under the auspices of William Grant and still owned by the same family today. Glenfiddich went a long way to taking Single Malt Scotch Whisky to the world in the early 1960’s and also the first ever Visitor Centre.
The only distillery on Speyside with its own bottling facilities on site.
Glen Grant
“is the only distillery named after a family, the founders J&J Grant”
Elgin Road, Rothes, Moray, AB38 7BS
+44(0)1340 832218
Famous for its beautiful gardens as much as it is for its distillery, the site offers and experience for everyone. The garden is filled with plants from all over the world brought back by the owners in the 19th century, there might also be a ghost story or two also to look into.
The Glenlivet
“valley of the smooth flowing one”
Minmore, Ballindalloch, Moray, AB37 9BS
+44(0)1340 821720
A newly renovated Brand home experience awaits guests in summer 2021 with a complete re-build within the current buildings. One of the largest distilleries single malt distilleries in Scotland producing 21 million litres every year, it was also one of the founding distilleries in the industry as we know it today.
GLENLOSSIE DISITLLERY – Is situated in Elgin but closed to the public and offers no tours.
Glen Moray Distillery
“glen sea settlement”
Bruceland Road, Elgin, Moray, IV30 1YE
+44(0)1343 550900
The only distillery in the county town of Elgin and located on the banks of the River Lossie, the site can be seen as you leave the town heading west. Known for its imaginative use of casks the distillery has been at the forefront on innovation over the past decade.
GLENROTHES DISTILLERY – The Glenrothes sits on the edge of Rothes town centre. It is closed to the public.
GLEN SPEY DISTILLERY – Is situated in Rothes but is closed for tours and the public.
KININVIE DISITLLERY – The Kininvie Distillery is located in Dufftown but no tours are available.
KNOCKANDO DISTILLERY – Closed to the public and not offering tours.
LONGMORN DISTILLERY – Can be found just outside of Elgin but is closed to the public.
The Macallan
“the field of St. Fillan”
Easter Elchies, Craigellachie, Moray, AB38 9RX
+44(0)1340 872280
The view from the new distillery out across Speyside is one of the most memorable you will find, that alongside the most modern distillery on Speyside will leave memories that will last a long time. One of the original distilleries founded in 1824 after the passing of the Excise Act of 1823 which made legitimate distilling more feasible.
MANNOCHMORE DISTILLERY – Is closed to the public and can be found outside of Elgin.
MILTONDUFF DISTILLERY – Miltonduff Distillery is part of the Gordon & MacPhail family and can found southwest of Elgin but is closed to he public.
MORTLACH DISTILLERY – Founded in 1823, the Mortlach Distillery can be found in Dufftown. It is closed to the public and offers no tours.
PARKMORE DISTILLERY – Is located in Dufftown but is closed to the public for tours.
PITTYVAICH DISTILLERY – The Pittyvaich was run between 1974 and 1993 but is closed to the public now.
Speyburn Distillery
“it is Speyside. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
Rothes, Aberlour, Moray, AB38 7AG
+44(0)7977706676
Embark on a journey of discovery and experience the heart of Speyburn with our exclusive behind-the-scenes distillery tour and tasting. Our tour guides will take you on an immersive adventure through the ages of dedication, expertise, and tradition that culminate in the creation of our award-winning single malt whisky.
Strathisla Distillery
“the valley of the Isla”
Seafield Avenue, Keith, Moray, AB55 5BS
+44(0)1542 783044
Spiritual home to both the Chivas Regal and Royal Salute Blends. The oldest working distillery in the highlands of Scotland starting production in 1786. Regarded by many as one of the most picturesque distilleries in Scotland.
Of all of the activities offered chance to blend your own whisky is a must-do.
Tamdhu Distillery
“black hill/little dark hill”
Knockando, Aberlour, Moray, AB38 7RP
+44(0)1340 870221
Built in 1898 just before the huge Whisky crash instigated by Pattisons in Edinburgh, the distillery has grown in prominence over the last decade. Renowned for the use of exceptional ex-sherry casks it offers a rich intense whisky hidden from view almost on the banks of the River Spey.
TAMNAVULIN DISTILLERY – Tamnavulin was founded in Ballindalloch in 1966 but offers no tours to the public.
Tomintoul Distillery
“little hill of the barn”
Tomintoul, Ballindalloch, Moray, AB37 9AQ
+44(0)1807 590274
Just over the hill from The Glenlivet nestled in the valley of the River Avon, pronounced A’an. Tomintoul is a fairly recent distillery being opened in built in 1964. Avonside was also a place where many illicit distillers would have been based.
TORMORE DISTILLERY – The beautiful Tormore Distillery was built in 1953 in the heart of Speyside. It is closed to the public.
With thanks to Ian Logan @iantheguardian