Speyside Tours & Speyside Aypple

07/11/2026

07/11/2026

Calvados & Cognac

We had a busman's holiday to France, visiting Normandy and Cognac. It was great to spend time with some small Calvados producers, in particular, . To get a bit nerdy- learn about all their different distillation cut points! I definitely got some tips for my own apple brandy.

Cognac was great too, where we were lucky enough to visit during the Cognac distillation festival.

And the best thing about France... they still know how to have a proper lunch!🍽

15/10/2026

Cocktail of the week is ……. The Speyside Spritz
Speyside Tours

The Speyside Spritz
“A taste of the orchard, with a sparkling twist.”
Speyside Apple Aperitif, Prosecco & fresh rosemary

07/10/2026

Apples and wh**ky....
Hey Folks, I know my social media has fallen by the wayside. I've been busy! Byres Farm farmers market went well, the aperitif sold aswell as some brandy at 42% and a bottle of cask strength at 62%. Fionn at likes it too so he has a couple of bottles. He is making some great cocktails with it.
I've been picking loads of apples - obviously!!!
Hosted some lovely Spaniards for a wh**ky day tour - they were singing Flamenco.
Finally, labelling the small batch gin I made for the
That's all Folks....

13/09/2026

Hey Folks, trying to maintain my social media presence! What’s been happening? Well, it's apple season so I'm picking 🍎.
I am trying to be a sales person or should I say brand ambassador - the Speyside Aypple brandy aperitif is now stocked by CocktailJoint, McKerron's Bar and Catch 79 Seafood Bistro. Big thanks!
Finished the week off with an amazing gig in the Cairngorms Elephant Sessions with some old friends

02/09/2026

Hi Folks, Over the past few years, some of you will know that alongside Speyside Tours I have quietly gained my distiller's license and begun working on something a little different....
What started as an idea to make better use of local apples has grown into 'Speyside Aypple', a small, independent distillery based here in Dufftown. Apples that might otherwise have gone to waste are pressed, fermented and distilled in small batches. The apple brandy is now maturing in ex wh**ky octave casks for release early next year.

While the apple brandy matures, two products have already made their way into the world: Speyside Aypple Aperitif, https://speysideaypple.co.uk/products/speyside-aypple-aperitif/ a 20% abv apple liqueur made from a combination of young apple brandy and apple juice. After blending, it is recasked for a short time to allow the flavours to settle and marry naturally. It is encouraging to see some local bars use this for cocktails and even as an aperitif!

Speyside Aypple Sorbet https://speysideaypple.co.uk/products/speyside-aypple-sorbet/ Produced in small batches, it offers a simple, grown-up take on apple sorbet, with the fruit’s natural character and a gentle warmth from the spirit.

Speyside Tours isn't going anywhere. The wh**ky walks, the wh**ky day tours, foraging trips and the gin school will continue as before. Speyside Aypple simply sits alongside it, bringing the distilling side more fully into the fold. In fact, the distilling will be carried out in the quieter Winter months.

From now on, we'll be sharing both, the whole story under one roof. Two closely connected businesses, all rooted, right here in Speyside.
www.speysideaypple.co.uk

More to follow and yes I know I have to be much better on social media. I hope to take you all on our journey, the good and the bad!

06/08/2026

Our gin schools at Walled Garden GC. We meet a great variety of people, lots of locals and then we get a group from the USA! One of these couples went for lots of floral notes, using rose petals, wild camomile and rosehips. Great on the nose, I hope they like it.... we always recommend waiting two weeks for it to meld together before drinking. Patience !!

18/01/2026

Happy New Year from Michelle and Andrew, . On Friday night we had a great Burns Supper at Braes of . Enjoyed the haggis, the Burns recitals from the locals and a caper on the dance floor🕺.

Saturday was "hair of the dog" with Adam, for an aperitivo and cocktail tasting.

Today we are clearing the head😄
Our first clients of the year arrive next weekend so we are now in work mode! Hope to see you in 2026 for wh**ky tours and some exciting news to follow.🤫 Slainte!

29/07/2025

Hi Folks, if you get a chance, check out magazine, Unfiltered. We held an event together in early May. Great weather, great wh**ky. It's lovely to be using some of their amazing bottlings on tour now. This 32 Yr old was something special.