Benrinnes Distillery, Speyside

Benrinnes Distillery lays on a summit that overlooks the lower Spey Valley, the mass of the Cairngorm Mountains and to the north, the sweep of the Moray Firth, with distant Easter Ross and Sutherland hills beyond. The Ben Rinnes mountain range (spanning nearly 50 square kilometres) gives its name to the distillery, albeit as one word. In its early years, the distillery started as part of a farm, with various outhouses converted into still houses.

It was rebuilt as a distillery when the buildings were destroyed during floods in 1829. Benrinnes underwent a second makeover in 1955, and the traditional floor maltings were replaced by a so-called 'Saladin Box' in 1964. This giant flat box mechanically turns the germinating barley inside and allows air to pass through it. The Saladin Box (named after its inventor, Charles Saladin) was removed again in 1984 when Benrinnes stopped producing its own malted barley.

Aside from a brief closure during the two world wars, the distillery has enjoyed almost continual production and is now owned by Diageo. Blenders highly acclaim the whisky, which has a robust and meaty style with a viscous texture and spicy finish. In 1991, the first official single malt was released from the distillery Flora & Fauna, which is 15 years old. Limited older special releases are also produced.

(Adapted from the Malt Whisky Yearbook 2024)