Speyside Malt

By Maltmannie

Speyside malt whisky is actually many whiskies. Speyside malt is the name given to a variety of whiskies found in the Speyside region of Scotland. The other whisky regions are known as Island, Islay, Highland and Lowland. Speyside malt whiskies are so called due to the Scottish river that their distilleries lie on the banks of, the Spey.

The Speyside Area

The Spey area is well worth a visit to follow a Speyside malt whisky tour. The Speyside malt as an object of study is enough to make even history interesting, with many whisky trails to follow in this region.
There is some debate about where the dividing line lies. So one Speyside malt may have the nose and flavour of a highland malt, while another may be far gentler and similar to a lowland whisky. Depending on how you define the region, Speyside malt whiskies make up half to two-thirds of all malt whiskies.

Speyside Malts separated at birth

Balvennie and Tamdhu are just two examples of the Speyside malt, known for the wide variety of flavours available. Great after-dinner whiskies, some of the Speysides are full-bodied. But lighter bodied malts will be fruity and flowery in nose. The typical Speyside malt is complex and there is a tending towards sweetness. The Speyside malt is usually made from very lightly peated malt.