After leaving the Royal Navy (submarine force), George Christie joined W.R. Paterson & Company in Glasgow as a junior partner with his former naval comrades. Three years later (1949), they partnered with Sandy Grant and acquired Alexander McGavin & Company (Glasgow) Ltd through auction from the Inland Revenue. Christie was appointed General Manager and acquired other shareholders' shares in 1955 and 1964. In 1955, George established Speyside Bonding and Warehousing Company and purchased the old Milton estate in the Tromie valley, three miles from Kingussie. George was particularly interested in the Tromie mill, an 18th-century barley mill that had been operated by a local family until 1965. The building was restored in 1967, preserving the mill and waterwheel, which still operate today. The first batch of spirit was distilled on December 12, 1990, while the official opening banquet was not held until September 20, 1991. In 1957, George Christie also established Strathmore Distillery in Cambus, Alloa (see "North of Scotland"). The company headquarters is located in Rutherglen, Glasgow, where most of the distillery's spirits are matured, blended, and bottled. In 2000, George Christie sold his shares in Speyside Distillery to his son Ricky, Ian Jerman, and James A. Croll (who became CEO). George passed away in 2011. In September 2012, the distillery was sold to Harvey's of Edinburgh Ltd under John Harvey McDonough, which has close ties with Taiwan's Flavor & Fragrance Company (the world's largest flavoring producer). Since the 1990s, Harvey's has been selling malt whisky in Taiwan, including the Spey brand, which became the third most popular malt whisky brand in this important market in 2011. The product line from Speyside Distillery was significantly expanded between 2014 and 2015.

The Speyside Distillery is closer to the source of the River Spey than any other distillery, built on the banks of the River Tromie, a tributary of the Spey, and near the village of Drumguish. Before Kininvie, there was a 'Speyside Distillery'. It was established in 1895, ceased production in 1905, and was demolished in 1911. The current distillery appeared as Lagganmore Distillery in the TV series 'Monarch of the Glen'.