The site was chosen by John Hopkins himself for its unpolluted water supply from the Granty Burn, a minor tributary of the River Spey.

Hopkins appointed the famous distillery architect Charles C Doig to design the distillery and to this day Speyburn has its classic pagoda ventilator, a hallmark of Doig's design.

Under the watchful eye of the distillery's manager, John Smith, the first spirit was run off in a violent snow storm with the distillery men working in overcoats and mufflers to protect them from the elements.

However, the proprietors succeeded in achieving their ambition and one butt was produced and bonded bearing the date 1897.

Speyburn Speyside Single Malt Scotch whisky is exported throughout the world and it is currently[when?]