Glen Spey is named after the River Spey in the region. It is one of the five distilleries in the city of Rothes. The distillery was founded in 1878 by James Stuart, who sold it shortly after buying Macallan eight years later. Glen Spey is named after the River Spey in the region. It is one of the five distilleries in the city of Rothes. The distillery was founded in 1878 by James Stuart, who sold it shortly after buying Macallan eight years later.