Brand names for whisky might be challenging to say, especially if you're not a native speaker of the language that inspired the name. Several Scotch whisky companies have names with Gaelic roots, which may be particularly challenging for people who don't speak the language. However, even for native speakers, several whisky brands have odd or uncommon names that might be difficult to say. Yet, it is feasible to acquire the right pronunciation of the majority of whisky brand names with a little amount of practice and familiarity. By learning the proper pronunciation, one may better appreciate Scotch whisky as a whole and demonstrate respect for its legacy and customs.
There are several Scotch whisky names that are commonly mispronounced. Here are a few examples:
- Bruichladdich
- Auchentoshan
- Caol Ila
- Glenfiddich
- Bunnahabhain
- Laphroaig
- AnCnoc
- Auchroisk
Bruichladdich
Region: Islay
Location: Bruichladdich
While the true pronunciation of Bruichladdich is "brook-laddie," it is sometimes mispronounced as "broo-ik-lad-ik," "broo-ik-lad-dee," or "broo-ich-lad-dee." The name, which translates as "brae on the beach" in Gaelic, alludes to the distillery's location on Islay's southwest coast. Despite its difficult pronunciation, Bruichladdich has grown to be a well-liked and renowned whisky brand, noted for its inventive distillation methods and dedication to making whisky that accurately captures the terroir and personality of the Islay region.
About Bruichladdich
On the Scottish island of Islay, there is a Scotch whisky distillery called Bruichladdich. It has a long history of making excellent single malt whisky and was established in 1881. The dedication of Bruichladdich to utilize conventional techniques and tools during their distillation process sets them distinct. These whiskies have a distinct taste character due to the utilization of hardwood washbacks, direct-fired stills, and unchillfiltered whisky. A variety of expressions, from lightly peated to substantially peated, as well as limited edition and cask-strength releases, are available from Bruichladdich. They are also renowned for their creative work with cask finishes, adding richness and depth to their whiskies by aging them in barrels that had previously contained wine, gin, and even beer. Bruichladdich has gained popularity among whisky lovers.
Auchentoshan
Region: Lowland
Location: Clydebank
When spoken correctly, Auchentoshan is pronounced "ock-un-tosh-un," not "awch-en-tosh-an." In Glasgow, this Lowland distillery is well-known for its triple-distilled whisky, which has a smoother and lighter flavor than whiskies from other areas. Only Scottish barley is used by Auchentoshan, which then matures its whisky in a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry barrels to provide a taste profile that is delicate and well-balanced. Auchentoshan is renowned for its dedication to sustainability, which includes employing renewable energy sources and recycling garbage.
About Auchentoshan
Lowland single malt whisky called Auchentoshan is produced close to Glasgow, Scotland. The distillery stands out because it employs a triple distillation technique that yields lighter, more delicate whisky. With overtones of vanilla, honey, and citrus, Auchentoshan is renowned for its taste profile, which is smooth, fruity, and sweet. A variety of expressions are available from the distillery, including a traditional 12-year-old, a Three Wood that has aged in three different kinds of barrels, and a special edition 18-year-old. For those seeking a whisky that is lighter and more accessible, Auchentoshan is a terrific choice and a great entry point into the single malt category.
Caol Ila
Region: Islay
Location: Port Askaig
While the official pronunciation of Caol Ila is "Cull-eela," it is sometimes mispronounced as "Kay-ola" or "Coal-ila." The name, which translates as "Sound of Islay," is Scottish Gaelic in origin. On the Scottish island of Islay, there is a famous single malt Scotch whisky distillery called Caol Ila. The distillery, which was established in 1846, creates both peated and unpeated whiskies that are matured in former bourbon and former sherry casks. The characteristic smokey and peaty taste profile of Caol Ila has earned it a favorite among whisky connoisseurs.
About Caol Ila
On the Island of Islay's northeastern shore sits the Scottish single malt whisky distillery known as Caol Ila. The distillery was established in 1846, has had several owners over its history, and is presently owned by the world's largest beverage company, Diageo. Both peated and unpeated whiskies are produced by Caol Ila, with the former being more common in their selection. The mossy moors of the island provide the peat required to make Caol Ila whiskies, which gives them their characteristic smoky and salty taste profile. Caol Ila whiskies are completed in wine or port barrels for select limited edition expressions. They are matured in a blend of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.
Glenfiddich
Region: Speyside
Location: Dufftown
While Glenfiddich should be pronounced "Glen-fi-deek," it is sometimes mispronounced as "Glen-fid-dich." The Scottish Gaelic origin of the name Glenfiddich is "Valley of the Deer." One of the most well-known and well-liked whisky brands in the world, it is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky distillery situated in Dufftown, Scotland.
About Glenfiddich
In Dufftown, Scotland, there is a famous single malt Scotch whisky distillery called Glenfiddich. The Scottish Gaelic origin of the name Glenfiddich is "Valley of the Deer." William Grant established the distillery in 1886, and the Grant family has owned it ever since. The inventory of Glenfiddich includes a variety of age-statement whiskies in addition to unique and limited edition bottlings. The distillery's Solera vat, which is used to create its 15-year-old expression, is also well-known. Visitors to Scotland's whisky trail frequently stop at Glenfiddich, a distillery that gives tours and tastings to whisky connoisseurs from all over the world.
Bunnahabhain
Region: Islay
Location: Port Askaig
The incorrect pronunciation of Bunnahabhain is "Bunna-ha-ven" or "Bunna-ha-ban". Nevertheless, "Boo-na-ha-ven" is the proper pronunciation. The Margadale River, which flows close to the distillery on the island of Islay, is mentioned in the name, which is derived from the Scottish Gaelic language and meaning "mouth of the river." In contrast to the intensely peated varieties produced by many other Islay distilleries, Bunnahabhain is renowned for producing unpeated or lightly peated whiskies. Since its founding in 1881, the distillery has seen a number of ownership changes. Distell Group Ltd currently owns Bunnahabhain, which continues to make a variety of single malt whisky, including age-statement releases and special edition bottlings.
About Bunnahabhain
The Scottish island of Islay's northeastern shore is home to the Bunnahabhain Scotch distillery. The distillery was founded in 1881 and is renowned for producing whiskies that are either un-peated or mildly peated as opposed to the substantially peated varieties made by many other Islay distilleries. The single malt whisky lineup from Bunnahabhain includes age-statement releases and limited edition bottlings, and the distillery also welcomes guests with a visitor center that offers tours and tastings. Distell Group Ltd, a major wine and spirit company with interests in Africa, Europe, and the Americas, now owns Bunnahabhain.
Laphroaig
Region: Islay
Location: Port Ellen
Laphroaig is frequently pronounced incorrectly, with the accent on the second syllable, as "la-fro-ig" or "la-froyg" rather than "la-froyg." The right way to say "la-froyg" is with the "ph" sounding like a "f" and the "aig" sounding like a "oy." The Gaelic phrase "Lag a' Mhra," which translates to "the hollow of the broad bay," gave rise to the name Laphroaig, which relates to the distillery's location on the south coast of the Scottish island of Islay. Despite some people having trouble pronouncing it
About Laphroaig
The Laphroaig Distillery, which is situated on the southern coast of the Scottish island of Islay, produces the intensely peated single malt Scotch whisky known as Laphroaig. The distillery, which has been producing whisky since 1815, is renowned for its distinctive taste profile, which combines smokey, peaty notes with hints of seaweed, iodine, and saline. Because of its unique flavor, Laphroaig is sometimes said to be a "love it or hate it" whisky; yet, it has a devoted following of enthusiasts who value its aggressiveness and complexity. Now owned by Beam Suntory, Laphroaig manufactures a variety of whiskies, including its premium 10-year-old bottling in addition to older age-stated whiskies and limited edition releases.
AnCnoc
Region: Highland
Location: Aberdeenshire
AnCnoc is frequently mispronounced with the stress on the first syllable, sounding more like "an-knock" than "a-nock." It should be pronounced "a-nock," with the "c" silent. The correct pronunciation should be "a-nock," which alludes to the Knock Hill where the distillery is located. The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic words "an" and "cnoc," which both mean "hill" in the language.
About AnCnoc
Scottish single malt whisky AnCnoc is made in Aberdeenshire at the Knockdhu Distillery. The Knock Hill, also known as "the black hill" in Scottish Gaelic, is where the distillery is situated. With notes of honey, lemon, and vanilla, the AnCnoc line of whisky is renowned for its taste profile that is light, fruity, and flowery. Throughout the years, the company has received several honors, including a gold medal for its 18-year-old expression in the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Given that the distillery is situated close to the Knock Hill and the Knockdhu Spring, which is the source of the water used in the production of whisky, the name AnCnoc itself is derived from the Gaelic language and means "the hill" or "the source."
Auchroisk
Region: Speyside
Location: Keith
While the actual pronunciation of Auchroisk is "oh-thrusk," it is sometimes mispronounced as "oh-kroy-sk" or "oh-kroisk." The distillery, which is famed for its fruity and flowery aromas, is situated in Scotland's Speyside area. In comparison to other of the more well-known Scotch whisky companies, Auchroisk was founded in 1974 and is a relatively new distillery. Although being relatively new, Auchroisk has established a reputation for producing single malt whiskies of exceptional quality that are in high demand among whisky connoisseurs.
About Auchroisk
In the heart of Scotland's Speyside, Auchroisk is a relatively new distillery, having just been established in 1972. Despite its youth, Auchroisk has already established a solid reputation for creating single malt whiskies of the highest caliber, which both experts and novice consumers alike greatly prize. The use of tall, thin stills, as opposed to the conventional shorter, circular stills frequently utilized by many other distilleries, is one of Auchroisk's whiskies' distinctive features. This leads to the single malts from Auchroisk having lighter, more delicate tastes. Although Auchroisk may not be as well-known as some of the other distilleries in Scotland, its reputation is one to watch as it develops.
