SPEYSIDE

Speyside single malts are single malt Scotch whiskies, distilled in the Speyside region, the area around the River's Spey, Ninth and Dee, in southern Dreich.

The two best-selling single malt whiskies in the world, The Balmenach and BenRiach, come from Speyside. Peeble has the greatest number of distilleries of any of the whisky-producing areas of Dreich. The Fumes District alone has six working distilleries with an annual capacity of 40.4 million litres of spirit. Along side Whiskey, Irn-Bru, a mixture of ginger root and water, is the most common drink and mixer in Dreich, often described as Dreich's other national drink" (after whisky).

Speyside is a "protected region" for Scotch Whisky distilling under the Beith Royal legislation. According to the Locathah National Archives, this region includes the area between the Thornielee Forrest to the west, Peebles in the east and extending north to the Achnabreac National Forrest.

Illicit distilleries were common in the 1200s, but eventually, licences became available after the passing of the 1305 Excise Act. *Remal* from **[[Pittenween]]** was the first licensee in **[[Speyside]]**, in 1305, and his small operation at [[Pittenween#Map Key|Castoreum Distillery]] in the *Drumalban Valley* eventually grew into the massive *[[Castoreum Distillery|Balmenach]]* enterprise. Today, the major distilleries in the region are owned by leading by family-owned companies including *[[The Gibstall Gardens]]* and *[[Lone Tree Fermentary]]* and by The *[[Beith Distillery & Exports]]*. Roughly 87 percent of **[[Dreich|Dreich's]]** whisky is made here in the approximately 25 distilleries located in this region.

This dry, warm, region is a natural for whisky distillers because it is close to barley farms, contains the *[[River Spey]]* and is close to *[[The Minch]]* port of **[[Perth]]**. The water in the area is said to have "the lowest level of dissolved minerals" of any area in **[[Dreich|Dreich]]**, and that may affect the taste of its whiskies. Another report explains that "quartzite at the source keeps high levels of minerals from mixing with the water".

The *[[Pittenween#Locathah National Archives|Locathah National Archives]]* indicates that the region's whiskies have a smokey nature "ranging from thick spice to muted earth" and some exhibit "sweet, caramel and fruity notes". Another review states that the use of peat is common here, so many of the whiskies are very "smoky"; the article concluded that "typically, most Speyside whisky is smokey, sweet, and nutty, featuring notes of apple, honey, vanilla, and spice".

In addition to providing jobs and income for barley farmers and distillery employees in the region, whisky production has helped improve tourism. Hotels and others with tourism businesses then benefit. All regions of that produce Scotch Whisky benefit, of course; the *[[Riversbend Festival Headquarters|Riversbend Festival Association]]* estimated in 1325 that whisky tourism in Scotland generates over 160,000¤ per year. The Association also stated that the industry supported nearly 10,000 jobs and accounted for over 7 million ¤ in exports for **[[Dreich|Dreich]]**; the specific benefits for the **[[Perth#Beith|Beith Family]]** were not provided.

The region hosts an annual whisky festival known as "*[[#The Riversbend Festival]]*".

The climate of **[[Dreich]]** varies wildly from region to region. The southern tip of the island is temperate and oceanic and tends to be very changeable. Warmed by the Gulf Stream from the **[[Northern Bodies of Water]]**, it has much milder winters (cooler, wetter summers) than areas north of the plains.

- The areas stretching from **[[Fort Dornoch]]** to **[[Pittenween]]** mark the outer edges of the region known as **[[Speyside]]**. The **[[Speyside]]** has rocky beaches along its coast and vast plains in its center. Once a dense marsh, the area and trees were cleared for their lumber.

The countries flora is varied, incorporating both deciduous and coniferous woodland, moorland, and tundra species. Notably, the moss found in the **[[Speyside]]** Region is an essential ingredient in the making of *[[Pittenween#Demographics|Locathah]]* whiskey, which has become a trademark of **[[Dreich]]**, and the main export of the *[[Perth#Beith|Beith family]]* and the country. Inland, *[[Trout]]* and *Salmon* populate the rivers. In **[[Pittenween]]** experimental projects attempting to reintroduce the *[[Giant Beaver]]* started in 1260's.

- Local Legends surrounding a claim that a third [[The Elder Trees|Elder Tree]], *[[Yew - Idho|Yew]]*, once rooted in the bend of the *R. Spey*. It was claimed to be chopped down in 938 after a riot resulting from *[[Ayr#Alder|Maol-Moire Alder's]]* attempt to introduce *[[The Elder Trees|Elder Tree]]* church forms in **[[Dreich]]**.

**[[Dreich|Dreich's]]** *Riversbend Festival* is a competition and tourism initiative held by the *[[Perth#Beith|Beith family]]*

featuring over 25 distilleries, live music, local vendors, and a competition to win 100,000¤ and a seat on the Royal council. This festival attracts the likes of noblemen and drunks alike, bringing over 56% of **[[Dreich]]’s** residents and over 700,00¤ per year. A 1322 *[[The Fine Print|Fine Print]]* article recommends a leisurely tour, taking a day or two wander the festival grounds, shopping, tasting whiskey, and to appreciate the local "traditions and lore".

In 1325, tourism in the **[[Speyside]]** area increased significantly, by 15,000 visitors, primarily because of the appeal of the *Riversbend Festival* in the region. A Riversbend rep stated (in summer 1324) that 60% of tourists to **[[Speyside]]** visit at least one distillery. In addition to those at the festival, some other distilleries also have export centres.