Speyside Whisky Facts
- Speyside is home to nearly 50 malt whisky distilleries - more than half of all the distilleries in Scotland.
- No distillery on Speyside takes the water with which the whisky is distilled directly from the River Spey - they rely on springs and burns [or streams] instead.
- The Glenlivet is the malt whisky which started it all by giving its name to the entire Speyside region.
- Cardhu is the only Speyside malt whisky not to have used the appellation "Glenlivet" at any time. All the other distilleries in Speyside have done so.
- Only 3 out of the Top Ten best selling single malts do not come from Speyside.
- Best selling Speyside malts include Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, Glen Grant, Cardhu, Macallan, Aberlour, and Balvenie.
- Glenfiddich is the best selling single malt in the world.
- The most popular malt whisky in the US is The Glenlivet
- The Glenlivet was the first single malt to be exported to the US when Prohibition ended in 1934.
- France's most popular single malt is Aberlour.
- Glen Grant is the top selling Scotch whisky in Italy, not just the top selling malt whisky!
- Cardhu is the top selling malt whisky in Spain.
- Many Speyside malts are essential components of well-known blended Scotch whiskies like Chivas Regal, Ballentine's and the Johnnie Walker range.
- The highest distillery in Scotland is Braeval.
- The most picturesque distillery in Scotland is Strathisla, the oldest working distillery in the Highlands of Scotland, founded in 1786.
- Longmorn Distillery is widely regarded as Speyside's best kept secret as blenders covet this high quality malt whisky.
- Cask strength malt whiskies can be up to 60% alcohol by volume. Examples include Aberlour a'bunadh whose name means "the original" in Gaelic and Glenfarclas 105, the which refers to the 'proof' strength of the whisky as opposed to ABV.
- Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail, the only malt whisky trail in the world, brings together seven distilleries in Speyside as well as the Speyside Cooperage, all of which welcome visitors for most of the year. The distilleries are Benromach, Cardhu, Glenfiddich, Glen Grant Distillery and Garden, The Glenlivet, Strathisla and Dallas Dhu Historic Distillery.
- At the time of the annual spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival in early May every year many more distilleries open their doors to visitors with a range of special events, tours and whisky tastings on offer.
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General Whisky Facts
- Whisky can only be called Scotch if it is distilled and matured in Scotland.
- Up to 2% of all maturing whisky evaporates each year - this is known as the Angels' Share
- Malt whisky can only be made from three natural ingredients - malted barley, yeast and pure water
- A "dram" can only apply to a measure of Scotch Whisky, the size of which is determined by the generosity of the pourer. A "wee dram" is often bigger than a "dram".
- The French drink more Scotch Whisky than Cognac - France is the biggest market for whisky in the world, with Spain a close second
- The proof of Scotch whisky [alcoholic strength] used to be tested by mixing the spirit with gunpowder and monitoring the flame given off, when ignited. Early whisky testers could be recognised by their singed eyebrows!
- A standard pub serving of Scotch Whisky contains only 104 calories - less than a standard glass of wine of half-pint of beer.
- The slightest change in the shape of the copper stills can affect the final product, so when a still is repaired or replaced each bump and dent is replicated exactly.
- Up to 17 million casks of Scotch whisky are maturing in Scotland at any one time.
- Although not a cure a hot whisky toddy is hard to beat as an aid to overcoming a heavy cold.
- Queen Victoria used to enjoy a dram in her daily tea.
- The British Medical Association states that up to 30 grams of whisky per day can help to protect against heart disease.
- Over £2.2 billion was generated for the UK economy by Scotch Whisky exports in 2004
- £75 per second was generated for the UK economy by Scotch Whisky exports in 2003.
- 11,000 people are directly employed by the Scotch Whisky industry. An additional 60,000 people are indirectly employed.
- 3,300 rural jobs in Scotland rely on Scotch Whisky production.
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