Cragganmore
John Smith, rumored to be the illigitimate son of George Smith (Glenlivet), selected a riverside site in Ballindalloch to establish his distillery in
1869. Amongst the many advantages to this site, the cooling waters of the Spey and the abundance of fresh spring water for his whisky, it was likely the fact that the StrathSpey railway was destined to run right beside his distillery that was the clincher. The ability to get coal for his stills and also quickly ship whisky to the blending houses in the south was very appealing to this talented distiller. Now owned by Diageo, the spirit is both a key ingredient in the Johnnie Walker blends and a highly regarded single malt.
