Benrinnes
Full Speyside food & drink guide — distilleries, restaurants, where to stay, when to go.
One of the most underrated distilleries in Speyside. Benrinnes uses a partially triple-distilled process unique in the region — two wash stills feed into a single spirit still via a complex worm tub system. The resulting spirit is heavier and more muscular than most Speyside malts. Almost all production goes into blending (principally J&B and Johnnie Walker), making official bottlings rare and independent bottlings the best way to experience it. The Flora & Fauna 15-year-old is the standard official release and well worth seeking out.
Benrinnes is a large Diageo Speyside distillery on the slopes of Ben Rinnes mountain — notable for using partial triple distillation (a genuinely unusual process in Scottish whisky, producing a distinctive heavy, rich spirit). The Flora & Fauna 15 Year Old is the primary single malt release and has a deep, meaty, almost Mortlach-like richness that stands apart from the lighter Speyside mainstream. An enthusiast discovery.
Core range
Flora & Fauna 15
43% ABV · Refill American oak
Triple-distilled (uniquely for Speyside) Diageo blender's malt. Flora & Fauna 15 is the rare official bottling — meaty body distinctive among Speysides.
Food pairings
| Whisky | Food | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Flora & Fauna 15 | Venison stew or game pie | The rich, meaty spirit suits robust game dishes. |
Getting there
Car. Near Aberlour on the B9009, below Ben Rinnes mountain.
Where to eat nearby
- The Mash Tun, AberlourHotel/Bar
5 miles east — outstanding Speyside whisky bar and food.
Where to stay near Benrinnes
Benrinnes sits on the shoulder of Ben Rinnes hill above Aberlour, with views across the Spey valley. The distillery is a working facility with limited public access. Aberlour (3 miles downhill) is an easy drive and has the Mash Tun B&B and village amenities. The Ben Rinnes hill walk itself is a good half-day alongside any Aberlour distillery visit.
Aberlour — boutique hotel with exceptional whisky bar.
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of Benrinnes.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Location
Frequently asked questions
+What is partial triple distillation?
Benrinnes runs some of its spirit through a third distillation pass — an unusual refinement creating heavier, richer spirit than the standard double-distillation process.
+Is Benrinnes open to visitors?
No — production facility only. Aberlour (5 miles) has a visitor centre and The Mash Tun is the area's best whisky bar.
+Where is Benrinnes distillery?
Benrinnes is in Speyside.
+When was Benrinnes distillery founded?
Benrinnes was founded in 1826, making it roughly 200 years old.
Compare with similar distilleries
The partial triple-distillation richness is closest to Mortlach. Heavier than most Speyside at this price.
Other distilleries owned by Diageo
Distilleries that share Benrinnes's corporate parent — useful context if you're comparing house styles within an owner's stable.
Lagavulin
Iconic Islay distillery on the southern shore, Lagavulin produces some of the most intensely peated, deeply maritime whisky in Scotland. The 16 Year Old is a benchmark Islay dram.
Oban
A tiny two-still distillery sitting right in the middle of the town it’s named after. Oban bridges Highland and West Coast island character — gently smoky, salty, fruity.
Cardhu
Founded by Helen Cumming and the spiritual home of Johnnie Walker, Cardhu is a smooth, easy, fruit-forward Speyside that punches well above its weight as a beginner single malt.
Cragganmore
One of Diageo’s six ‘Classic Malts’. Cragganmore is unusually complex for an entry-age Speyside thanks to its short, flat-topped stills and unique condensing setup.
Linkwood
A workhorse Diageo distillery whose spirit features in many blends but is rarely seen as an official single malt. A favourite of independent bottlers for its perfumed, floral character.
Mortlach
Known as ‘the Beast of Dufftown’ for its uniquely complex 2.81-times distillation regime. Big, meaty, sulphury, sherry-influenced — the polar opposite of typical ‘light Speyside’.
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