Visit a Distillery to Learn How Scotch Whisky is Made on Speyside

Scotch whisky making and scotch whisky tourism are big business in Speyside. More than half of Scotland's distilleries are packed into the Spey Valley. A number of them are regularly open to the public and several others can be visited by appointment.

Visiting A Scotch Distillery

At the end of July, 2009, we toured the Glenfiddich distillery during celebrations of that distiller's first 50-year-old single malt scotch whisky in nearly 20 years. Glenfiddich was the first Scottish distiller to open its doors to the public, offering free tours 40 years ago. Their standard tour, which includes a film in six languages, a look at the stages of whisky making and a visit to the original warehouse, built by William Grant and his children in the 1880s, remains free.

Connoisseurs can book a special tour, costing £20 per person, which includes a visit to the distillery's Solera warehouse and a tutored nosing and tasting of some of its older whiskies.

Tour Essentials

• What: Distillery tour of the world's top selling malt whisky brand.
• Where: Wm. Grant & Sons Ltd., Dufftown, Moray, Scotland
• When: Daily, year round except Christmas and New Year. Weekends from April to mid October.
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. Summer hours include Saturdays and noon to 4:30p.m. Sundays.
• Admission: Free. Bookable Connoisseur's Tour, £20.
• Facilities: Visitor center with bar and coffee shop, gift shop, parking, picnic tables.
• Website
• Contacts: telephone +44 (0)1340 820373, Email

The Distillery Tour

On the next few pages, join me on my distillery tour of the Glenfiddich Distillery at Wm. Grant & Sons Ltd, in Dufftown, and learn a bit about how single malt scotch whisky is made. Then find out about more distilleries and attractions you can visit.

Next: The Mash Tun, Where the Process Begins