Mannochmore is a lesser known but fascinating part of Scotland’s whisky landscape, it has a history tied to modern whisky production and a distinctive Speyside character. Mannochmore was originally constructed to supply malt whisky for blended Scotch whiskies, and its importance in blending cannot be understated. Its light, versatile spirit is a key component in many classic blended scotch whiskies, providing balance.
It has since evolved to produce single malts that reflect the characteristics of Speyside whiskies. Its single malts are now prized for their light, floral, and fruity notes, often with a creamy texture and subtle spice. Its limited single malt releases, and importance to iconic blended whiskies, make it intriguing for collectors and enthusiasts seeking something different. Mannochmore exemplifies the evolution of Scotch whisky in the 20th century - built for efficiency, adapted for modern markets, and now increasingly appreciated for its individuality as a single malt.
Mannochmore's History
Located in the Speyside region of Scotland near Elgin, Mannochmore Distillery is a relatively young addition to Scotland’s long-established whisky landscape. It was founded in 1971 by John Haig & Co., a subsidiary of Distillers Company Ltd (DCL), which later became part of Diageo, one of the world's largest spirits companies.
The distillery was built on the same site as the older Glenlossie Distillery, sharing some resources and staff over the years. Initially, Mannochmore produced malt whisky primarily for blending purposes - its spirit being a key component in several popular blended whiskies.
Mannochmore is perhaps most famously associated with the release of ("Black Lake") in the mid-1990s, a nearly opaque black single malt that sparked controversy for its unusual appearance and polarising flavour. Despite - or perhaps because of - its notoriety, Loch Dhu has since become a collector’s item.
Although not always widely marketed as a single malt, Mannochmore has seen increasing interest among whisky enthusiasts in recent years. Official bottlings, such as those in Diageo’s Flora & Fauna series and occasional special releases, have helped highlight the distillery’s clean, floral, and fruity spirit profile, often benefiting from ex-bourbon cask maturation.
Today, Mannochmore operates with a substantial production capacity and continues to play a significant role in classic blends while also building a reputation in the single malt scene for those seeking a Speyside whisky with character and depth.
The Significance of Speyside
The Speyside region, nestled around the River Spey in northeast Scotland, is often considered the heartland of Scotch whisky. With over 50 distilleries, it holds the highest concentration of whisky producers in Scotland and is renowned for producing elegant, fruity, and often sherried single malts.
The region’s whisky heritage dates back to the early 18th century, when illicit distillation was common in the remote Highland hills. The natural resources of Speyside—pure spring water, abundant barley fields, and a cool, temperate climate—made it ideal for whisky production. The River Spey itself plays a crucial role, providing water to many of the area’s distilleries.
Speyside’s legal whisky history took off after the Excise Act of 1823, which encouraged small-scale distillers to legitimize their operations by lowering taxes and licensing costs. One of the first to take advantage was George Smith, who founded The Glenlivet distillery in 1824. This pioneering move inspired a wave of legal distilling across the region.
Today, Speyside is not only a whisky-producing powerhouse but also a major destination for whisky tourism, celebrated for its legacy, diversity of styles, and continued innovation.
Experience the essence of Speyside whisky by reserving a bottle of our Mannochmore 9 Year Old finished in Sauternes wine casks - available in both a 12-month and 18-month finish - to explore the unique influence of extended cask maturation.