We’ve helped you pronounce some of the most tricky Scotch whisky distillery names, not once, but twice now. But there’s a few more pronunciations that we understand are not easy for non-native speakers or those unfamiliar with the lovely language of Gaelic.
So, here’s another edition of how you say the Scotch whisky distilleries you mispronounce”
Even more Scotch whisky distilleries you mispronounce
Kilchoman can be tricky for a non-native speaker
anCnoc: Pronounced “ah-Knock”
anCnoc is made in Knock, Banffshire at Knockdu (“knock-doo”) Distillery. This translated from the Gaelic ‘Cnoc Dubh’ which means ‘black hill’. The name anCnoc was chosen as the current owners, Inver House, deemed Knockdhu too similar to Knockando and relabelled it to avoid confusion. AnCnoc simply means ‘the hill’.
Auchroisk: Pronounced “Awk-roysk”
One of the trickiest distillery names there is. The Auchroisk distillery was built in 1974 and, fun fact, it was the first to carry the prefix ‘Singleton’. But the name “Auchroisk” is actually Gaelic for Ford of the Red Stream, which refers to a nearby water source.
Kilchoman: Pronounced: “kil-HO-man”
Founded in 2005, Kilchoman is a relative newbie of a distillery. The first Islay whisky distillery built in 120 years was named after the parish where the distillery is located on the west coast of Islay. The word Kil often refers to a church in Gaelic, and Choman likely refers to a local figure or saint. Thus, Kilchoman may mean “Church of Choman.”
Edradour: Pronounced: “Edra-dow-er”
Sometimes mispronounced as “Edra-door”, Edradour is derived from Gaelic, with Edra potentially meaning “between two waters” and dour meaning “stream” or “water.” The distillery is located in the village of Edradour near Pitlochry in the Highlands and was founded in 1825.
Have you been saying this right? Be honest now.
Glenfarclas: Pronounced “Glen-fark-lass”
Glenfarclas Distillery, founded in 1836, means Valley of the Green Grass in Gaelic (glen meaning valley and farclas meaning green grass). The distillery name might not seem confusing at first, but often it’s mispronounced as “Glen-far-class” or “Glen-far-clas”. The more you know.
Knockando: Pronounced “Nock-an-doe”
Knockando comes from the Gaelic Cnoc-an-dhu meaning “Little Black Hill.” The distillery was founded in the Speyside region of Scotland in 1898 and while most people probably get this one right, some might pronounce it as “Knock-an-doh” with emphasis on “can”. But the correct pronunciation is “Nock-an-doe.”
Strathisla: Pronounced “Strath-eye-la”
Strathisla is one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in Scotland. Located in Speyside, it was founded in 1786. You know, a decade after the USA. It’s named after the river Isla, which runs near the distillery. Strath refers to a broad valley in Gaelic.
Tormore: Pronounced “Tor-more”
Founded in 1960, Tormore is a relatively modern distillery. It’s also distinctively beautiful, unlike most things built in that decade. The name is derived from Gaelic, with Tor meaning “hill” or “high ground,” and more meaning “big.” While this one might seem straightforward, some people might say “Tor-moor,” but it’s correctly pronounced “Tor-more.”
