Scotland’s latest ‘Lost Distillery’ takes its place in the history books

Badenoch is now home to Scotland’s newest so-called lost distillery but it will not be a case of 'Scotch missed'.

Speyside Distillery operated by Speyside Distillers Company Ltd is no longer occupying its former site at Glentromie by Kingussie.

The company - founded by John Harvey McDonough - is moving to a new but yet to be built home at Strathmashie by Laggan with its substantial whisky stock going into storage for further maturation and future sale on allocation.

“The whisky from Speyside Distillery is now from a lost distillery. There will never be another Speyside Distillery under the current Scotch Whisky Association rules,” Mr McDonough explained.

“Our SPEY brand continues globally but it is now from a lost distillery.”

The fact that no more whisky is being produced at the site gives it a rarity value, and the company will have to make strict Spey whisky allocations to its customers in coming months and years.

Whisky distillery expert and author Brian Townsend observed: “All the whisky produced at Speyside Distillery up to 2025 will be classed as whisky-distillate from a lost distillery after this time.

“In the current Scotch whisky industry this position is quite unique.

“It makes whisky from Speyside Distillery extremely rare.”

Mr Harvey McDonough and his team were co-hosting the launch event of The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival last night along with the Macdonald Aviemore Resort at their Osprey Arena - and making an appearance at the event was one of their original whisky stills which until the weekend was on site at Glentromie.

Mr Harvey McDonough told the audience last night (Wednesday) about the new direction of travel: “I would like to say how honoured we are to be chosen as co-hosts for this year’s SOSWF opening dinner .

“The festival itself is iconic - the opening dinner is truly legendary.

“Although the whisky may be the spirit of the festival, the people are definitely its heart.

“This year marks a special time in our whisky journey, our boutique Speyside Distillery becomes a ‘lost distillery’ actually from today - so please keep the secret.

“Actually, we have brought the essence of our distillery here tonight with our lovely still outside and pop up distillery snug lounge , in the corner of the room .

“So our award winning distillate beautifully crafted by our artisan distillers lives on as our world in whisky and art continues with aplomb.”

Local community transport company Badenoch and Strathspey Connexions was the main beneficiary of fund-raising on the night hosted by Aviemore’s Jodie McCluskey and entertainment being provided by rising Newtonmore singing star Michael Lewis.

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