Whisky in the Scottish Highlands

The Highland region of Scotland produces lots of different kinds of whiskies in tastes because it covers such a large area of Scotland where different methods of distilling whisky are used. The area starts just outside Glasgow and carries all the way up the west coast and the same happens on the east coast from Edinburgh.

The only part that is outside of the ‘highland region’ north of this is Speyside and of course the islands at the top of Scotland such as Orkney. As mention above when reading about the Highland region of Scotland the Speyside region should always be included as the whiskies are closely links.

There are very famous whisky distilleries in the Scottish Highlands like Clynelish Distillery, Dalmore Distillery, Glemorangie Distillery , Ben Nevis Distillery and the Oban Distillery just to name a few.With the Scottish Highlands the largest whisky region of Scotland there is wide range of Single Malts Whisky available to consume. For example the whiskies in the West Highlands are less peaty, but you can still smell the smokiness of the whiskies. The style of the most of the West Highlands whiskies is that when you taste the malts at first there is a sweet start and then a dry finish which make all the brands very distinct to the whisky consumer.

The far north of the Highlands the taste is so different because of the coastal location of the whisky distilleries. The whisky has more of a spicy taste, but does also have a dryish finish. Because of the coastal location there is a taste of salt.

All the other areas of the highlands there is a mix of everything with most of the whiskies having a fruity and sweet taste, but not as much as the malts that you will find within the Speyside region. They are also lighter bodied and as all the Highland whisky have they finish off with a dry finish.

Below is a whisky map from Google of the Scottish Highlands. The Speyside whisky region is also on this map as it does split the highlands.

View Larger Map

If you are thinking about visiting the mass area of the Highlands you will need to know the accommodation that is available within this region for your whisky trail. On Planet Whiskies there are a list of accommodation by distillery. The list of accommodation is being increased all the time, but if you would like for me to find you accommodation near a certain distillery please email Planet Whiskies.

Below are links that will take you to accommodation section for each of the distiileries.

Accommodation near Aberfeldy Distillery, Perthshire - PH15 2EB (3)