My understanding is that there's no real need to see more than one whisky distillery in the area, but I'd like some input on which one to see/experience. We'll be staying 2 nights outside of Elgin, and we'll have a car, so accessibility is absolutely no problem. Your experiences?

I should add that neither I nor my wife is really a single-malt whisky connoiseur...but we're willing to learn. (I like The Macallen, FWIW.)

Pick one with a malting floor. Balvenie?

well - most no longer do their own malting so if Balvenie does, that might be a good choice. (I'don't know if they malt or not but I'm sure their website will provide that info)

But actually, the best one would probably be Glenfiddich because they are well set up for the tourist trade and do a very good tour, and Balvenie Castle is practcally in the distillery car park. Balvenie Castle is an really interesting medieval castle and would be worth a vist even if it wasn't right next door to Glenfiddich. So kill 2 birds w/ one stone and do both w/o moving the car . . . .

mr_go: The tours are very interesting and often the equipment and the buildinga are very old. The "wee dram" offered at the end of the tour is very pleasant as the bar person is often a good story teller with a quick wit and you can engage them in conversation. Very entertaining.
Janis has given you a good idea for two stops. If you wouldn't mind a third, try Dallas Dhu. We think their grounds and buildings are among the prettiest in the area and it is very close by.
Now, do yourselves a favor. From Elgin to the Whisky Trail, you will go right by Pluscarden Abbey. Started in 1230 by King Alexander II of Scotland, it is one of the most beautiful and serene places you will ever visit. We return for a visit just about every time we go to Scotland. It is marvelous.
The Whisky Trail all the way down to Perth is a beautiful drive with many pullouts equipped with barbecue pits and tables and benches. I've told this story before, but we had to take a nap at one of these spots after visiting three distilleries with their wee dram. Get the makings for a picnic lunch at Elgin and take advantage of Scotland's hospitality. Wonderful part of Scotland. Wish I were joining you. I am a devotee of Macallen 18 year as well. Have a great trip.

OK, with my resources in front of me:-

The Whisky Trail is a creation of the tourism industry (and none the worse for that). It is wholly based on Speyside. There are some nice distilleries in Perthshire but they are not on the whisky trail.

Balvenie (which is owned by Grants who own Glenfiddich). I was right; Balvenie does have a malting floor:-
"The Balvenie Distillery has the last active traditional malt floor in use in the Scottish Highlands today"

However, they are not normally open to the public but

"The Balvenie Distillery is not generally open for visits, but we will try to assist if at all possible. Can we suggest that if you are planning a trip to this part of Scotland (Dufftown, approx midway between Aberdeen & Inverness), you call us on 01340 820373 a few days beforehand and we will do our best to make a distillery visit possible for you."

(from their web site).

I've done a bit of checking and I'm pretty certain that taht claim is true, tho' I wouldn't 100% swear to it.

Glenfiddich IS a very good tour, and maybe I'm just getting jaundiced from having done it too many times, but it's very packaged and very touristy. As I've said elsewhere- not the best malt, but probably the best tour.

Dallas Dhu is closed- open to visitors but the malsters and still men are made of wax. Very pretty, but historic in its interest.

Hope this helps

Thanks to all. We'll probably drive around, have a look about, and make it a "game day decision" as they say in the NFL. I think I'll leave work early now and go have a wee dram o' The Macallan 12-year-old (aged in sherry casks, or so I've heard).