Scotch Whisky Regions 101
With over 130 distilleries producing both malt and grain whisky, Scotland is a major player in the whisky world. Just as there are many different wine making regions recognised around the world, Scotland has five whiskymaking regions, each with its own style. These are Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Campbeltown, and Islay:
Highland Region
Covering a massive area in the north of Scotland, with the exception of the Speyside resion located within, the Highlands are home to many a distillery. Although often some of the richest in flavour, Highland whiskies embrace a wide variety of style of malts: you can find whisky with fruity, nutty or cereal notes... some with even a gentle peat smoke.
Though technically part of the Highland region, the Islands are often considered a region unto themselves. The Islands span from the Isle of Arran on the south western side of Scotland, all the way up to the Orkneys and produce a wide range of flavours, are sometimes peated and, as these distilleries are all positioned on the coast, its flavours are strongly influenced by the sea.
Highland distilleries include: GlenDronach, Glenmorangie, Dalmore, Tomatin, Tullibardine
Island distilleries include: Talisker, Jura, Tobermory, Arran, Highland Park
Lowland Region
South of the Highlands you'll find the Lowland region. Home to only a small number of distilleries, with but a handful of them releasing single malt Scotch whiskies. Lowland whiskies are typically smooth and mellow.
Lowland distilleries include: Bladnoch, Auchentoshan, Lindores Abbey, Glenkinchie, Rosebank
Speyside Region
Originally part of the Highlands, Speyside is now recognised as a region unto itself, and often distinguished by its harmonious flavours of fruity, floral and honeyed notes. Speyside is an area with a very high concentration of distilleries, located along the River Spey. in fact, more than half of all of Scotland's distilleries are based in Speyside!
Speyside distilleries include: Aberlour, Balvenie, Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, Glenglassaugh
Campbeltown Region
Once home to over 30 distilleries, Campbeltown on the Kintyre peninsula on Scotland's south west coast was considered the whisky capital of the world. How times have changed, with only three distilleries remaining in operation today, all producing a wide variety of styles – but it remains one of the most-wanted whisky regions in the world.
Campbeltown's three remaining distilleries are: Glen Scotia, Glengyle (makers of Kilkerran) and Springbank
Islay Region
Whilst Islay (pronounced eye-luh) is an island itself (with Island region distilleries surrounding it), Islay's large number of distilleries help it attain its own region status. Known for its heavy use of peat, your typical Islay single malt is big, bold, full of delicious peat smoke, and not for the faint-hearted.
Islay distilleries include: Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Lagavulin, Kilchoman, Caol Ila
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