Speyside, the region around the River Spey, is the most important Scottish whisky region. Around 50% of all Scottish distilleries are based in this region, where they are responsible for just over half of the Scottish whisky production.

Speyside whiskies can generally be classified as light and grassy, or rich and sweet. Some of the more well-known Speyside distilleries are BenRiach, Cragganmore, Balvenie, Dalwhinnie, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, Glen Moray and Tomintoul.