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How to Pronounce Scottish Whisky Distillery Names – Cheat Sheet

Updated: Jan 2


(As of the date of this article) there are 143 Scottish whisky distilleries across the six known regions: Campbeltown, Islay, Island, Lowland, Highland and Speyside.


It's fun and fascinating learning about and tasting Scottish whisky, whether grain, malts or blends. One stumbling block for many enthusiasts is learning and indeed, mastering the pronunciation of the distinctive names of the revered distilleries. Fear not, for this guide is here to help! We demystify the Gaelic symphony of sounds and help you confidently pronounce the names of Scotland's iconic whisky producers. Let’s get started. Here is our guide on how to pronounce Scottish whisky distillery names.


Learn How to Pronounce Scottish Whisky Distillery Names


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Complete List of Active Whisky Distilleries


A


Aberargie

A lowland distillery, located in Aberargie and founded in 2017. (Malt)

Pronounced: Aber-rar-jee


Aberfeldy

A highland distillery, located in Aberfeldy and founded in 1896. (Malt)

Pronounced: Aber-feldy


Aberlour

A Speyside distillery, located in Aberlour and founded in 1879. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ah-burr-lower (where lower rhymes with flower)


Abhainn Dearg

An Island distillery, located in Uig, Isle of Lewis and founded in 2008. (Malt)

Pronounced: Av-een jar-rek


Ailsa Bay

A Lowland distillery, located in Girvan and founded in 2009. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ayl-sa bay


Allt-A-Bhainne

A Speyside distillery, located in Glenrinnes and founded in 1975. (Malt)

Pronounced: Olt-ah-vain


Annandale

A Lowland distillery, located in Annan and founded in 1836. (Malt)

Pronounced: An-nan-dale


Arbikie

A Highland distillery, located in Inverkeilor and founded in 2013. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ar-bi-key


Ardbeg

An Islay distillery, located in Port Ellen and founded in 1815. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ard-beg


Ardmore

A Highland distillery, located in Kennethmont and founded in 1898. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ard-more


Ardnahoe

An Islay distillery, located in Port Askaif and founded in 2019. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ard-na-ho


Ardnamurchan

A Highland distillery, located in Ardnamurchan and founded in 2014. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ard-na-mur-can


Ardross

A Highland distillery, located in Alness and founded in 2019. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ard-ross


Arran

An Island distillery, located in Lochranza and founded in 1995. (Malt)

Pronounced: A-ruhn


Auchentoshan

A Lowland distillery, located in Dalmuir and founded in 1823. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ock-in-toe-shin


Auchroisk

A Speyside distillery, located in Mulben and founded in 1972. (Malt)

Pronounced: Orh-thrusk


Aultmore

A Speyside distillery, located in Banffshire and founded in 1895. (Malt)

Pronounced: Alt-more


B


Balblair

A Highland distillery, located in Edderton and founded in 1790. (Malt)

Pronounced: Bal-blair


Ballindalloch

A Speyside distillery, located in Ballindalloch and founded in 2014. (Malt)

Pronounced: Bahl-in-dah-lock


Balmenach

A Speyside distillery, located in Cromdale and founded in 1824. (Malt)

Pronounced: Bal-men-ack


Balvenie

A Speyside distillery, located in Dufftown and founded in 1892. (Malt)

Pronounced: Bal-veh-nee


Barra Borve

An Island distillery, located in Barra Borve and currently under construction. (Malt)

Pronounced: Barra Borgh


Ben Nevis

A Highland distillery, located in Fort William and founded in 1825. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ben nevis


BenRiach

A Speyside distillery, loacted in Morayshire and founded in 1898. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ben-ree-ach


Benrinnes

A Speyside distillery, located in Banffshire and founded in 1826. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ben-rin-ess


Benromach

A Speyside distillery, located in Forres and founded in 1898. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ben-ro-mach


Bladnoch

A Lowland distillery, located in Wigtown and founded in 1817. (Malt)

Pronounced: Blad-nuhk


Blair Athol

A Highland distillery, located in Pitlochry and founded in 1798. (Malt)

Pronounced: Blair-ath-aull


Bonnington

A Lowland distillery, located in Edinburgh and founded in 2019. (Malt)

Pronounced: Bon-ning-ton


Borders

A Lowland distillery, located in Hawick and founded in 2018. (Malt)

Pronounced: Bor-ders


Bowmore

An Islay distillery, located in Bowmore and founded in 1779. (Malt) Pronounced: Bo-maw / Buh-maw (later is how locals would say it)


Braeval

A Speyside distillery, located in Ballindalloch and founded in 1973. (Malt)

Pronounced: Brave-all


Brora

A Highland distillery, located in Brora and founded in 1819. (Malt)

Pronounced: Braw-ra


Bruichladdich

An Islay distillery, located in Rhinns of Islay and founded in 1881. (Malt)

Pronounced: Bruk-lah-dee

Shortened to: Laddie


Bunnahabhain

An Islay distillery, located in Port Askaig and founded in 1881. (Malt)

Pronounced: Bunn-na-ha-venn Shortened to: Bunna


Burn O'Bennie

A Highland distillery, located in Banchory and founded in 2021. (Malt)

Pronounced: Burn-o-benny


C


Cairn

A Speyside distillery, located in Grantown-on-Spey and founded in 2022. (Malt)

Pronounced: Kayrn


Cameronbridge

A Lowland distillery, located in Fife and founded in 1824. (Grain)

Pronounced: Cam-er-on-bridge


Caol Ila

An Islay distillery, located in Port Askaig and founded in 1846. (Malt)

Pronounced: Cull-eela


Cardhu

A Speyside distillery, located in Knockando and founded in 1824. (Malt)

Pronounced: Car-doo


Clydeside

A Lowland distillery, located in Glasgow and founded in 2017. (Malt)

Pronounced: Klide-side


Clynelish

A Highland distillery, located in Brora and founed in 1967. (Malt)

Pronounced: Kline-leash


Crafty

A Lowland distillery, located in Galloway and founded in 2017. (Malt)

Pronounced: Kraaf-tee


Cragganmore

A Speyside distillery, located in Ballindalloch anf founded in 1869. (Malt)

Pronounced: Kra-gen-more


Craigellachie

A Speyside distillery, located in Craigellachie and founded in 1891. (Malt)

Pronounced: Krai-geh-luh-kee


D


Daftmill

A Lowland distillery, located in Fife and founded in 2005. (Malt)

Pronounced: Daft-mill


Dailuaine

A Speyside distillery, located in Aberlour and founded in 1852. (Malt)

Pronounced: Dalh-you-ayn


Dalmore

A Highland distillery, located in Alness and founded in 1839. (Malt)

Pronounced: Dal-more


Dalmunach

A Speyside distillery, located in Carran and founded in 2015. (Malt)

Pronounced: Dal-moo-nack


Dalwhinnie

A Highland distillery, located in Dalwhinnie and founded in 1898. (Malt)

Pronounced: Dal-win-nee


Deanston

A Highland distillery, located in Doune and founded in 1965. (Malt)

Pronounced: Dean-stn


Dornoch

A Highland distillery, located in Dornoch and founded in 2016. (Malt)

Pronounced: Daw-nuhk

Remember as: Door knock


Dufftown

A Speyside distillery, located in Banffshire and founded in 1895. (Malt)

Pronounced: Duff-town


Dunphail

A Speyside distillery, located in Morayshire and founded in 2023. (Malt)

Pronounced: Dun-fail


E


Eden Mill

A Lowland distillery, located in Fife and founded in 2012. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ee-dun-mill


Edradour

A Highland distillery, located in Pitlochry and founded in 1825. (Malt)

Pronounced: Eh-dra-dow-er


F


Falkirk

A Lowland distillery, located in Falkirk and founeded in 2020. (Malt)

Pronounced: Fol-kurk

Fettercairn

A Highland distillery, located in Fettercairn and founded in 1824. (Malt)

Pronounced: Fetter-kayrn


G


Girvan

A Lowland distillery, located in Girvan and founded in 1963. (Grain)

Pronounced: Guh-vn


Glasgow

A Lowland distillery, located in Glasgow and founded in 2015. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glas-go


Glenallachie

A Speyside distillery, located in Banffshire and founded in 1967. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-alla-key


Glenburgie

A Speyside distillery, located in Morayshire and founded in 1810. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-bur-gee


Glencadam

A Highland distillery, located in Angus and founded in 1825. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-kah-dum


Glendronach

A Highland distillery, located in Aberdeenshire and founded in 1826. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-dro-nach


Glendullan

A Speyside distillery, located in Banffshire and founded in 1897. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-dull-an


Glen Elgin

A Speyside distillery, located in Morayshire and founded in 1898. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen el-gin


Glenfarclas

A Speyside distillery, located in Ballindalloch and founded in 1836. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-fark-lass


Glen Garioch

A Highland distillery, located in Oldmeldrum and founded in 1797. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-gear-ee


Glenglassaugh

A Highland distillery, located in Portsoy and founded in 1875. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-glass-sauh


Glengoyne

A Highland distillery, located in Dumgoyne and founded in 1833. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-goyn


Glen Grant

A Speyside distillery, located in Rothes and founded in 1840. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen grant


Glengyle

A Campbeltown distillery, located in Campbeltown and founded in 1872. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen g-eye-el


Glen Keith

A Speyside distillery, located in Keith and founded in 1957. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen keith


Glenkinchie

A Lowland distillery, located in Pencaitland and founded in 1837. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-kin-chee


Glenlivet

A Speyside distillery, located in Ballindalloch and founded in 1824. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-live-it


Glenlossie

A Speyside distillery, located in Elgin and founded in 1876. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-loss-ay


Glenmorangie

A Highland distillery, located in Tain and founded in 1843. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-muh-ran-jee


Glen Moray

A Speyside distillery, located in Elgin and founded in 1897. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen muh-ree (moray as in hurry)


Glen Ord

A Highland distillery, located in Muir of Ord and founded in 1838. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen ord


Glenrothes

A Speyside distillery, located in Rothes and founded in 1879. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-roth-iss


Glen Scotia

A Campbeltown, located in Campbeltown and founded in 1832. (Malt)

Pronounced Glen scow-shuh


Glen Spey

A Speyside distillery, located in Rothes and founded in 1878. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen spey


Glentauchers

A Speyside distillery, located in Mulben and founded in 1897. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-tock-ers


Glenturret

A Highland distliiery, located in Crieff and founded in 1763. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen-tur-ruht


GlenWyvis

A Highland distillery, located in Dingwall and founded in 2015. (Malt)

Pronounced: Glen weevis


H


Harris

An Island distillery, located in Tarbert and founded in 2015. (Malt)

Pronounced: Har-ris


Highland Park

An Island distillery, located in Kirkwall and founded in 1798. (Malt)

Pronounced: High-land park


Holyrood

A Lowland distillery, located in Edinburgh and founded in 2019. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ho-lee-rood


I


Inchdairnie

A Lowland distillery, located in Glenrothes and founded in 2016. (Malt)

Pronounced: Inch-dar-nee


Inchgower

A Speyside distillery, located in Buckie and founded in 1871. (Malt)

Pronounced: Inch-gow-uh


Invergordon

A Highland distillery, located in Easter Ross and founded in 1959.

Pronounced: In-ver-gor-dun


J


Jackton

A Lowland distillery, located in Jacton and founded in 2020. (Malt)

Pronounced: Jack-ton


Jura

An Island distillery, located in Craighouse, Jura Island and founded in 1810. (Malt)

Pronounced: Juu-rahh


K


Kilchoman

An Islay distillery, located in Kilchoman and founded in 2005. (Malt)

Pronounced: Kil-ho-man


Kimbland

An Island distillery, located in Sanday and founded in 2017. (Malt)

Pronounced: Kim-bland


Kingsbarns

A Lowland distillery, located in Kingsbarns and founded in 2014. (Malt)

Pronounced: Kings-barns


Kininvie

A Speyside distillery, located in Dufftown and founded in 1990. (Malt)

Pronounced: Kin-in-vie


Knockando

A Speyside distillery, located in Knockando and founded in 1898. (Malt)

Pronounced: Nok-can-doo


Knockdhu

A Speyside distillery, located in Knock and founded in 1894. (Malt)

Pronounced: Nok-doo


L


Lagg

An Island distillery, located in Lagg and founded in 2019. (Malt)

Pronounced: Lagg


Lagavulin

An Islay distillery, located in Port Ellen and founded in 1816. (Malt)

Pronounced: Lag-ah-voo-lin


Laphroaig

An Islay distillery, located in Port Ellen and founded in 1815. (Malt)

Pronounced: Lah-froyg


Leven

A Lowland distillery, located in Leven and founded in 2013. (Malt)

Pronounced: Lev-uhn


Lindores Abbey

A Lowland distillery, located in Newburgh and founed in 2017. (Malt)

Pronounced: Lin-doors abbey


Linkwood

A Speyside distillery, located in Elgin and founded in 1821. (Malt)

Pronounced: Link-wood


Lochlea

A Lowland distillery, located in Ayrshire and founded in 2018. (Malt)

Pronounced: Lock-lee


Loch Lomond

A Highland distillery, located in Alexandria and founded in 1964. (Malt)(Grain)

Pronounced: Lock Low-mund


Lone Wolf

A Highland distillery, located in Ellon and founded in 2016. (Malt)

Pronounced: Lown Wulf


Longmorn

A Speyside distillery, located in Elgin and founded 1893. (Malt)

Pronounced: Long-mourn


M


Macallan

A Speyside distillery, located in Craigellachie and founded in 1824. (Malt)

Pronounced: Muh-ka-luhn


Macduff

A Highland distillery, located in Banff, founded in 1960. (Malt)

Pronounced: Mukh-duhf


Mannochmore

A Speyside distillery, located in Elgin and founded in 1971. (Malt)

Pronounced: Man-och-moor


Miltonduff

A Speyside distillery, located in Elgin and founded in 1824. (Malt)

Pronounced: Milton-duff


Mortlach

A Speyside distillery, located in Dufftown and founded in 1823. (Malt)

Pronounced: Mort-lok


N


Nc’nean

A Highland distillery, located in Lochlaline and founded in 2017. (Malt)

Pronounced: Nc-nee-an


North British

A Lowland distillery, located in Edinburgh and founded in 1885. (Grain)

Pronounced: North Bri-tuhsh


O


Oban

A Highland distillery, located in Oban and founded in 1794. (Malt)

Pronounced: Oh-bun


P


Port of Leith

A Lowland distillery, located in Edinburgh and founded in 2023. (Malt)

Pronounced: Port of Leet


Pulteney

A Highland distillery, located in Wick and founded in 1826. (Malt)

Pronounced: Pullt-knee


Q


NA


R


Raasay

An Island distillery, located on the Isle of Raasay and founded in 2014. (Malt)

Pronounced: Raa-see


Reivers

A Lowland distillery, located in Tweedbank and founded in 2020. (Grain)

Pronounced: Ree-hee-vers


Rosebank

A Lowland distillery, located in Falkirk and founded in 1798. (Malt)

Pronounced: Rose-bank


Roseisle

A Speyside distillery, located in Roseisle and founded in 2010. (Malt)

Pronounced: Roh-zal


Royal Brackla

A Highland distillery, located in Nairn and founded in 1812. (Malt)

Pronounced: Royal Brack-lah


Royal Lochnagar

A Highland distillery, located in Ballater and founded in 1845. (Malt)

Pronounced: Royal Lok-nah-gahr


S


Saxa Vord

An Island distillery, located on Unst and founded in 2015. (Malt)

Pronounced: Saxa-vord


Scapa

An Island distillery, located in Kirkwall and founded in 1885. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ska-pah


Speyburn

A Speyside distillery, located in Rothes and founded in 1897. (Malt)

Pronounced: Spey-burn


Speyside

A Speyside distillery, located in Drumguish and founded in 1990. (Malt)

Pronounced: Spey-side


Springbank

A Campbeltown distillery, located in Campbeltown and founded in 1828. (Malt)

Pronounced: Spring-bank


Starlaw

A Lowland distillery, located in Livingston and founded in 2010. (Grain)

Pronounced: Star-law


Strathclyde

A Lowland distillery, located in Glasgow and founded in 1927. (Grain)

Pronounced: Straff-clide


Strathearn

A Highland distillery, located in Methven and founded in 2013. (Malt)

Pronounced: Straff-hurn


Strathisla

A Speyside distillery, located in Keith and founded in 1786. (Malt)

Pronounced: Straff-eye-lah


Strathmill

A Speyside distillery, located in Keith and founded in 1891. (Malt)

Pronounced: Straff-mill


T


Talisker

An Island distillery, located in Carbost on Isle of Skye and founded in 1830. (Malt)

Pronounced: Tal-iss-kur

Tamdhu

A Speyside distillery, located in Knockando and founded in 1897. (Malt)

Pronounced: Tam-doo

Tamnavulin

A Speyside distillery, located in Tomnavoulin and founded in 1966. (Malt)

Pronounced: Tam-nah-voo-lynn


Teaninich

A Highland distillery, located in Alness and founded in 1817. (Malt)

Pronounced: Tee-ah-nin-ik


Tobermory (also Ledaig)

An Island distillery, located in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull and founded in 1798. (Malt)

Pronounced: Tow-bah-mory (& Letch-ick)


Tomatin

A Highland distillery, located in Tomatin and founded in 1897. (Malt)

Pronounced: Teh-mar-tin / Ti-mah-tin  (later is how locals would say it)

Tomintoul

A Speyside distillery, located in Ballindalloch and founded in 1964. (Malt)

Pronounced: Tom-in-towel


Torabhaig

An Island distillery, located in Teangue on the Isle of Skye and founded in 2017. (Malt)

Pronounced: Tor-ah-vague

Tormore

A Speyside distillery, located in Grantown-on-Spey and founded in 1958. (Malt)

Pronounced: Tor-more


Tullibardine

A Highland distillery, located in Blackford and founded in 1949. (Malt)

Pronounced: Tul-lee-bahr-din


U


Uile-bheist

A Highland distillery, located in Inverness and founded in 2023. (Malt)

Pronounced: Ooleh-Vesh


W


Wolfburn

A Highland distillery, located in Thurso and founded in 1822. (Malt)

Pronounced: Wolf-burn


X


NA


Y


NA


Z


NA


Numbers


8 Doors

A Highland distillery, located in John O’Groats and founded in 2022. (Malt)

Pronounced: Eight-doors



A whisky glass in the foreground with fields, a road, sheep and hills in the background.
How to Pronounce Scottish Whisky Distillery Names


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