John Hopkins was already a successful brandy merchant. But he loved whisky even more. He wanted his own distillery, his own dram – the finest he could make. So in 1897, he set himself a challenge – one everyone said was impossible.
THE GRANTY BURN
For generations, Speyside has been known for some of the cleanest, most mineral-rich water in the world. That’s what drew Hopkins here. Along with the majority of Scotland’s distilleries.
He discovered a narrow secluded valley near the River Spey. Hidden in the trees was the Granty Burn – an untouched freshwater stream that flows into the Spey. Hopkins knew that water this pure would make remarkable whisky.
He broke ground.
BUILDING IN THE VALLEY CAME WITH ITS OWN CHALLENGES
One of the many challenges John Hopkins and his team had to overcome in establishing the distillery close to the pure water source was in the physical placement of the building. Rather than force the distillery onto the natural landscape Hopkins invited world-renowned architect Charles C. Doig to integrate the distillery more sympathetically into the surroundings. This meant designing an entirely new style of distillery and building over 3 levels to fit into the steep valley’s topography. Doig’s ingenious solution to the limited space includes the now iconic pagoda ventilator which allows for a constant current of air to flow over the grains.
Built into the landscape
Instead of building out, John Hopkins built up through the trees, designing an entirely new style of distillery.
A MAN OF HIS WORD
Queen Victoria was celebrating her Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Hopkins said he’d build the distillery and make whisky in time to toast it. No one believed him.
Even before the distillery was complete – still without doors, windows and a roof – Hopkins and his team worked tirelessly. Through Arctic storms, false starts, ice, and snow.
On the last night of December 1897, they did it. The first batch of Speyburn Single Malt left the distillery, stamped with that vital Jubilee year. Hopkins had filled the cask and kept his word.
CARVING OUR OWN PATH
125 years since distilling our first drop, Speyburn remains the same: bold, bright, and full of character. Our Speyside single malts welcome everyone – everywhere – to the beautiful simplicity of a well-made whisky. We’re proud to be at the heart of the Speyside region. And prouder still to stand out.
Key moments
SPEYBURN DISTILLERY FOUNDED BY JOHN HOPKINS
Queen Victoria was celebrating 60 years on the throne. Hopkins, never one to miss a celebration (or a marketing opportunity), set himself a challenge.
Build a distillery, make whisky, and mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
No one believed it was possible – his gut told him otherwise.
OUR FIRST SPIRIT
Production began on the first day of November 1897, but only on Christmas Day did the first drop run. On the year’s final night, the team worked through ice and snow, without windows or a roof, to fill the first Speyburn cask before midnight. Just in time to toast Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
DISTILLERY SOLD TO THE DISTILLERS COMPANY LIMITED
By 1916, Speyburn was an undeniable success.
But Hopkins was never one to stay put. He knew it was time for the spirit to take the next step.
He sold the distillery to The Distillers Company Limited.
SPEYBURN CLOSES FOR THE WAR
Testing times reveal true character.
In 1939, the distillery shut down, allowing us to play our part in the war effort.
For the duration, Speyburn housed two Scottish Artillery Regiments.
DISTILLERY REOPENS AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Not long after peace was declared, the distillery went back into action.
Time for new beginnings – new paths to carve, a new legacy to build.
Always guided by the spirit of Speyburn.
TYRE TRACKS REPLACED HOOF MARKS.
The stillmen and warehousemen knew it was time to move from horse and cart to tractor.
Coal, barley and casks transported more efficiently than ever before. And a well-earned rest for our Clydesdales.
FROM COAL FIRE TO STEAM HEAT
A bold decision – classic coal-fired stills replaced with indirect steam heating.
The reward? An even better, even more consistent dram.
Trusting our instincts paid off again.
INNOVATIVE DRUM MALTING CEASED OPERATION
Even the best things come to an end.
Our legendary drum malting – a symbol of the distillery – was finally retired.
The engineering behind it was worth celebrating. But what lay ahead was more exciting.
SPEYBURN DISTILLERY SOLD TO INVER HOUSE DISTILLERS
Inver House Distillers and Speyburn joined forces.
We’ve been on course together ever since.
DOUBLE THE SPEYBURN
Interest from drinkers worldwide was all the proof we needed. We’d chosen the right path.
To share Speyburn with more people, we planned our expansion –production capacity doubled.
OPENING OUR DOORS FOR THE FIRST TIME
Since 1897, we kept the magic of our whisky-making to a very small group.
All that changed on our 125th anniversary. We opened our doors as part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.
Time to show people what we do here.
125 YEARS OF DISTILLING HISTORY
The spirit of our riverside home, captured in every drop.