Speyside Whisky Trail: Glenlivet, The Macallan, and Glenfiddich Distilleries

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: The Glenlivet Distillery, Castleton Of Blairfindy, Glenlivet Scotland

The Glenlivet Distillery is the oldest distillery in the parish of Glenlivet. Founded in 1824, it is the largest producer of single malt whisky in Scotland with production of 21 million litres in 2018. Unlike many other distilleries, it has been in almost continuous production since it was founded, even through the Great Depression and Prohibition, with a shut down during World War II being the only break.

The Glenlivet brand is the USA’s biggest selling single malt whisky and second biggest selling single malt brand globally.

The Glenlivet offers a number of different tours, the most popular of which is their Classic Tour which lasts 75 minutes and costs £12.50. Tasting flights are also offered if you don't wish to do a full tour.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Glenfiddich Distillery Castle Road, Dufftown AB55 4DH Scotland

Glenfiddich is in the middle of an upgrade which will see production expanded to 20 million litres per year. This upgrade is the result of the continued rise in global demand for the single malt, with Glenfiddich now accounting for 50% of the total sales by volume for the company.

Glenfiddich is historically significant as they became the first to systematically promote a single market globally including through television advertising. This ensured that Glenfiddich became the best-selling single malt globally, a position it retains today.

Glenfiddich runs tours on the hour between 10:00 and 16:00. There are a number of different tours, the most popular of which is the Explorer Tour which costs £10 per person and lasts 90 minutes.

Glenfiddich has a good bar and restaurant area serving a variety of well priced dishes. This is a good place to have lunch, and if you wish, you can also do a Balvenie Tasting Flight here too!

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Stop At: The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience, Easter Elchies Estate Easter Elchies, Easter Elchies AB38 9RX Scotland

This distillery is like no other you have come across. It finally opened to the public in the summer of 2018 and initially caused traffic chaos with the police having to be called to restore calm. The distillery roof is shaped like five hills with meadow grass on the top.

One of these hills houses the new visitor centre complete with art gallery, and six different rooms that define the style of the Macallan single malt. A very impressive whisky wall showcases more than 400 bottles from the Macallan archive.

The Macallan Six Pillars Tour is the most popular tour offered, costing £15 and lasting around an hour. The Macallan Tours are usually booked up well in advance, however if it is not possible to do the tour, you can still wander around the impressive visitor centre and take in a whisky or two in their Linger Lounge.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes