Often described as the most photographed distillery in Scotland, Speyburn Distillery sits nestling in a valley on the northern edge of Rothes. There is a timeless feel and an air of serenity - the type of place whisky was meant to be made.
The distillery has a compact layout, due mainly to the geography of the land. The architect, Charles Doig, designed the distillery using height as opposed to width. The unique drum maltings occupy a smaller area than a conventional floor maltings and other buildings, including the cask warehouses, are on two or three levels.
Very little has changed over the last 100 years with most of the original features still intact - indeed still being used, although the maltings are no longer in production. Once milled the grist and hot water is transferred to a traditional rake mash tun from which 25,000 litres of wort is pumped into Douglas Fir wash backs. The still room has never been extended and houses a single pair of stills. True to form the alcohol vapours are condensed using over 100 metres of copper pipe submerged in cold water worm tubs.
Although 80% of Speyburn is tankered away to be filled at Inver House Distillers' headquarters at Airdrie, the remaining spirit is filled into cask and stored in one of two warehouses. Both have two floors and use wooden rails and tables to store casks two and three high.