Speyburn
Name: Speyburn
Founded: 1897
Region: SpeysideÂ
Owner: Inver House Distillers
Capacity: 4.5m litresÂ
Stills: 1 wash, 2 spirit
Fermentation: 72 and 120 hoursÂ
Peated/Unpeated: UnpeatedÂ
Casks Used: Bourbon, Sherry, ArrantaÂ
Current Sales: N/AÂ
Recent significant awards: None entered.Â
Independent bottlings: Around 500Â
Core Range: Bradan Orach NAS, 10yr, 15yr, 18yr.
One of four distilleries in the village of Rothes, Speyburn started operation in 1897 and was designed by the famous local architect and inventor of the distillery pagoda - Charles Doig. Doig also installed the now ultra-rare drum maltings, which remain on site for visitors to see.
Patented in the 1800s by Nicholas Galland and Julius Henning, drum malting never took off at single malt distilleries and most went straight from floor malting to commercial maltsters.
One of 17 distilleries in Scotland to use worm tub condensers, others include Springbank, Dalwhinnie, and Knockdhu, it produces a sulphury new make that many love.
Formally part of Scottish Malt Distillers, Speyburn is the most elusive of the famous Flora & Fauna range. It was sold to current owners – Inver House Distillers – in 1991.
Speyburn enjoys a strong reputation in the United States and opening the distillery is all part of a renewed brand building focus from the parent company.
These efforts have been compounded by an increased presence in duty free with the releases of exclusives such as the 10 year old and Hopkins Reserve.