Speyside's Hidden Gems

The culture of whisky attains perfection in the Speyside region of northeast Scotland. More than half of the country's 100-odd single-malt distilleries are located here, and the top three malt whiskies sold in the United States - Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, and Macallan - are Speysiders.

Tucked into the glens and rivers that course down to the river Spey and along the Spey itself are hidden gems: drams not blessed with the marketing dollars of their flagship sister brands, smaller distilleries with limited distribution, and a plethora of independent bottlings released in small batches or one cask at a time. These special bottlings are increasingly enjoyed by whisky connoisseurs and add variety, individuality, and depth to any serious Scotch portfolio.

Big Three Beauties

Glenfiddich is the world's leading single malt, independently owned by the Scottish company William Grant & Sons. "Glenfiddich created the single-malt category and is the only Highland single malt still bottled at the source, the Robbie Dhu Spring," explains James Bruton, brand manager for Glenfiddich and Balvenie. "It's the world's favorite single malt, the pioneer. Our sister distillery, Balvenie, is the only distillery that still has its own floor maltings and grows its own barley. It's the quintessential small-batch single malt, handcrafted with honey tones."

Glenfiddich's Bruton markets his whisky on style and character- as a light and flavorful Highland single malt, rather than emphasizing the Speyside region. "For both brands, it's all about staff training and bartender education," Bruton insists. "We try extremely hard to educate about unique brand attributes. Both brands have extensive... ranges, so the education touches upon the differences between each age, flavor, and age/bottling process. And we educate on taste, not age."

With the diversity of brands and the staff training available to bars and restaurants, there has never been a better time to stock up on Speyside's hidden gems- whiskies that take the customer on a journey of discovery and stimulate conversation and sales. It is worth following James Bruton's cosmopolitan view: "Malt whisky enthusiasts are experimental and open-minded drinkers, and the category is a trail of discovery. You can be married to one but have affairs with others."