Aberlour distillery

Aberlour distillery stands beside the River Spey in Strathspey, Moray, where the Lour Burn joins the river near Ben Rinnes. It is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky distillery built on land leased from the Earl of Fife. James Fleming, a local farmer turned banker and provost, secured the feu in 1879 and began production in December 1880. The distillery passed through several owners before Pernod Ricard took control in 2001. In 2014 more than 3.5 million bottles of Aberlour were sold worldwide. The distillery’s reputation rests on consistent quality and awards. Since 1986 Aberlour has won 58 gold medals and eight trophies in major competitions such as the International Wine and Spirits Competition and the International Spirits Challenge. Its whiskies include aged expressions from ten to thirty years and the cask-strength A’bunadh series. Some releases finish in sherry or fortified-wine casks to broaden flavour profiles. Visitors find a modern visitor centre opened in 2002, where guided tours explain the distilling process and the site’s history. The distillery remains close to Fleming’s original buildings and the Fleming Hall he donated to the community. Beyond the stillhouse, the riverside walk offers views of Ben Rinnes and the Spey valley.