Speyside
Both the quality and the romance of Scotch whisky
depend upon mountains, rocky streams, peat moors and fresh air. The Upper Spey
has its distilleries tucked away in remote Highlands, some over 1,000 ft above
sea level, with plenty of peat in the moors and pure, clean water in the small,
mountain lochs. The image of the Scottish Highlands, and the home of remote distilleries,
make The Speyside one of the most popular whisky producing regions.
An aromatic and dry single malt, with a firm body. Dalwhinnie is known for having
somewhat varied tastes from bottling to bottling over the years, no doubt due
to age and the wood used.
Cragganmore is a haughty single malt, with a smoky character. A good Highland
whisky, well regarded by blenders.
With a light-to-medium weight and gentle sweetness, this single malt is certainly
distilled to please a broad market. Cardhu is being marketed by Johnnie Walker.
The Singleton of Auchroisk has a velvety smoothness and a great deal of finesse.
It has notes of smokiness and fruitiness, but a lightly sherryish character eventually
wins through!
At its various ages, this is one of Scotland's greatest malts! It would be the
obvious classic of the Lower Spey if it did not have to compete in this regard
with the Macallan
. 
The Macallan, as it likes to be called, is one of Scotland's great single malts,
and the favorite of many whisky lovers. Famous for its big body, and especially
for its sherry finish.
In spite of its comical sounding name, Knockando is a very serious single malt.
It has a light-to-medium body and nutty palate. It is also a malt which gains
a lot of character with age.
Aberlour is a single malt in a rich, rounded, after-dinner style. The distillery
is French owned, and the whisky is popular in its adoptive country.
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