Paul & Liz Visit Speyside Distillery (PART 2)

Speyside Distillery – a wee story narrated by Paul. Friday December 5^th.

Liz and Paul where invited up to the distillery for a show around and chat with Distillery Manager Sandy Jamieson.  Sandy knew we were coming up and was ready for us at 11am. We arrived relaxed and looking forward to our meeting, driving down from Elgin where we had stayed the night before. A beautiful December Friday, a good drive ending up at Kingussie, where we stopped for a wee tea and scone, then driving past Ruthven Barracks down a winding country road, we found the entrance drive.

The Speyside distillery is located in Drumguish, close to Kingussie.  We had mentioned our trip to a few people and they were under the impression the distillery would be in Dufftown, Elgin or similar location –  as the name suggested. However, it is located near the source of the Spey. It produces the Spey single malt and Drumguish single malt. The distillery was founded in 1962 by George Christie. It was built by hand by George Christie over the next decades, and was finished in 1987. It took another three years until whisky production started in 1990.

Upon arrival we were greeted by Sandy, a quick chat, then a few quick questions for him, we retired to his office. The two pot stills are some of the smallest in Scotland. The Glenspey mash tun was the very last one fitted by Newmill engineering before they closed down. Though small the distillery can produce 600,000 litres of alcohol per annum. The distillery is the most southern on Speyside and takes its water directly from the River Tromie.

Whilst Paul was talking, Liz tried a dram; an unaged malt called Drumguish – I must say, it was not here favourite, but, as she said, it would be a good entry level single malt for a beginner. “SANDY how long have you worked in the whisky industry?” I have been here since 2013, prior to that I started out in 1979, working for various companies including Diageo. I am now manager at Spey. “HOW MANY PEOPLE WORKING HERE?” Myself, 2 others and a tractor driver, on a two rota shift.  “HOW DO YOU CASK THE WHISKY?” We have a tanker taking 16,000 litres of new spirit every 8 days to our warehouses in Glasgow.

By now both Liz and Paul were looking round Sandy’s “office”, a delightful loft space, with drinks cupboard, desk, table and chairs, a row of Highland Dress – kilts, jackets, shoes etc – begging the question … “do you look after a pipe band?”  These are held here to give some notion of feeling Scottish to special guests – namely a party from Asia recently, who all donned the kilt! (see facebook; SPEY Whisky).  Liz was on her second dram, so Sandy suggested looking over the distillery, so we did! A small set up with a pair of stills, all equipment housed in one space, a nice old stone building, reminding Paul of a kirk (church). Sandy took us outside – a really nice, country setting, complete with river and waterwheel, to a bothy where drinks could be found! Another old stone building with a lime-washed interior, where we could see the range of the drams made here.  It didnee stop here, another wee room located under his office was the dram room, superb wee room neither Liz nor Paul wanted to leave. Here, Sandy explained more on the distillery history, drams and plans whilst Liz accepted large drams of – how shall I say this? Many excellent whiskies, more than we normally have offered, Paul meantime was the driver, looking on enviously – Sandy did give him a wee sample to take with him, so not all was lost!  Time to mention here; Paul had previously sampled the drams at a private tasting days before.  By now Liz was having a ball, smiling far too much, er … time to go Liz, leave sandy to his work. BUT – before we left, a wee book each Scotch Missed, autographed by Sandy, sample drams to take home and a bottle of the Tawny Port finish – superb!  Dragging Liz away, we almost made our escape before waving off Sandy, he gave a good handshake, and a hug to Liz, who replied with a kiss. Was it a good visit? What do you think? “Come back anytime” we will to be sure!

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