Speyside Distillery to Relocate in 2025, Original Whisky to Join Lost Distillery Ranks

Speyside Distillery announced it will relocate its production base in 2025, ceasing operations at its current site. All whisky produced at the original site will be classified as Lost Distillery products. The decision was revealed by parent company Speyside Distillers Company during the 2025 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. CEO John Harvey McDonough shared that the new facility will move to the Strathmashie Estate in the Highlands and operate under a new distillery name.

This small distillery, nestled in the Cairngorms mountains, traces its history back to the 1950s. Conceived by industry legend George Christie, it began production in 1990 after 30 years of preparation. Known for its slow fermentation and distillation processes, the distillery uses scaled-down stills from Lochside Distillery to produce light and elegant single malt whiskies. Early products were marketed under names like Drumguish or blended for Asian markets until the 2014 launch of the SPEY core series, which established a stable customer base in regions like Taiwan.

Lost Distilleries typically refer to those closed due to economic hardship or war, but Speyside Distillery’s case is unique—relocation is driven by expansion needs. With global demand for its single malt surging, the current site can no longer meet production requirements. Despite this, existing stocks from the original site will become limited resources, and historical trends suggest such products often hold collectible value.

Moving forward, remaining stocks will continue aging, with limited releases before the new facility opens. The distillery name Speyside, which overlaps with the famous Scottish region, will also be addressed during the relocation. While the Lost Distillery status may boost market interest, experts caution that not all discontinued products automatically appreciate in value.

This transition marks a significant shift for Speyside Distillery, and whisky enthusiasts are advised to watch for final releases from the original site.

2025-06-16

Source: https://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/post/speyside-distillery-becomes-a-lost-distillery.aspx/