Scotch whisky can be as much an adventure in language as it is in flavor. For enthusiasts, navigating the complex names of distilleries like Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain is a badge of honor—a rite of passage into the world of rare and collectible single malts.
In this article, we explore five exceptional scotch whiskies from distilleries whose names are often mispronounced but whose spirits are unforgettable. From a sherry-rich Bruichladdich 21 Year Old to a Bordeaux-finished Auchentoshan, these whiskies offer not only stunning flavours but also a lesson in Scotland’s linguistic heritage.
Bruichladdich 21 Year Old (Bru-Kla-Dee)
BUY NOW: $425
Bruichladdich, pronounced ‘bru-kla-dee’, is a Rémy Cointreau-owned distillery located on the western shores of Loch Indaal, Islay. Founded in 1881, Bruichladdich is known for gentle, floral, and honeyed whiskies that are, surprisingly, unpeated. However, since 2006 and 2008 respectively, Bruichladdich has produced the peated Port Charlotte brand and the heavily-peated Octomore brand. This triple-production allows the distillery to retain the Bruichladdich house style whilst meeting the demand for peated Islay single malts.
Trending Stories
Bruichladdich’s name is an anglicization of the Scottish Gaelic phrase ‘Bruthach a’ Chladaich’, which translates to ‘brae by the shore’.
This 21 Year Old Bruichladdich was released around 2008 and is billed as “a hedonistic nightcap dream of a dram” by the distillery. It was matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 46% ABV.
Bruichladdich has since upgraded the 21 Year Old with the launch of new packaging and branding in February 2024. The Bruichladdich Thirty was also unveiled.
Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals.
By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Bunnahabhain 1965 35 Year Old Limited Edition (Bu-Nah-Hav-En)
BUY NOW: $3,080
The self-proclaimed “unpronounceable malt”, Bunnahabhain is another Islay distillery located on the northeast coast of the island. Like Bruichladdich, it was founded in 1881 in the midst of the Victorian whisky boom.
Although the distillery has been known to produce peated single malts in the past, from the 1960s onwards Bunnahabhain has predominantly produced unpeated whisky aged in sherry casks – unusual for an Islay distillery.
This is a pretty spectacular bottle of Bunnahabhain, distilled in 1965 and aged for 35 years before bottling at 53.9% ABV in 2001. The dark color of the liquid screams sherry casks. Only 594 bottles were produced, making this a rare gem for any Bunnahabhain collector.
As for the distillery’s name, Bunnahabhain (bu-nah-hav-en) means ‘mouth of the river’ in Gaelic, and is inspired by the distillery’s location at the mouth of the Margadale steam and the Sound of Islay north of Port Askaig.
Glen Garioch 1968 29 Year Old (Glen-Geery)
BUY NOW: $3,407
When I first started working in scotch whisky, this was the one that stumped me. Glen Garioch is pronounced ‘glen geery’. The distillery takes its name from the nearby Valley of the Garioch, which is billed as one of the best barley-growing areas of Scotland.
Many distilleries in Scotland have the prefix ‘Glen’.‘Glen’ in Scots Gaelic means ‘valley’.
Glen Garioch, located in Oldmeldrumn in the Scottish Highlands, was founded in 1797 by Thomas Simpson. One of the oldest operational distilleries in Scotland, Glen Garioch has somewhat flown under the radar. However, its long history and rare bottlings such as this one hold significant value to collectors. Today, Glen Garioch is owned by Suntory and saw a multi-million-pound investment in 2022.
This Glen Garioch whisky was distilled in 1968 and bottled after 29 years of maturation from single cask #9 at 56.6% ABV.
Auchentoshan 1988 20 Year Old Bordeaux Wine Finish (Ock-Un-Tosh-Un)
BUY NOW: $655
Auchentoshan is a Lowland distillery, located just north of Glasgow at the mouth of the River Clyde. It is, by its own admission “challenging to say, easy to drink.” Pronounced ‘ock-un-tosh-un’ the distillery takes its name from the Scottish Gaelic phrase ‘Achadh an Oisein’ meaning ‘corner of the field’ in English.
Auchentoshan, founded in 1817 by John Bulloch, is famed for being the only whisky distillery in Scotland to exclusively use triple distillation. All production is used for single malts.
Following the acquisition and investment by Suntory, Auchentoshan has expanded its core range to include a 12 Year Old, an American oak expression, and a Three Wood expression.
The Auchentoshan 1988 20 Year Old Bordeaux Cask Finish exemplifies the distillery’s innovative approach to whisky maturation. Initially aged for 8 years in ex-bourbon casks, it underwent a 12-year finishing period in Bordeaux wine casks from St. Julien. Bottled at 52.5% ABV, this 2008 limited release of just 1,000 bottles.
Caol Ila 1974 20 Year Old Hart Brothers (Cull-Ee-Lah)
BUY NOW: $701
I have heard many different pronunciations of this Islay distillery. Caol Ila is pronounced ‘cull-ee-lah’. Caol Ila is the Scottish Gaelic name for the Sound of Islay – the body of water that separates Islay from the Isle of Jura. The distillery sits just north of Port Askaig, south of Bunnahabhain.
Founded in 1846, Caol Ila quickly became a scotch whisky powerhouse as its coastal location, and the pier built by Bulloch Lade in 1857, made trade and access much easier. It was acquired by DCL (later Diageo) in 1927, and has remained under its portfolio ever since.
Following demolition and complete rebuild in 1972 and the launch of the first permanent official bottling (a 12 Year Old in 2002), Caol Ila has become an essential Islay distillery known for its perfect balance and distinct character.
In 2022, Diageo unveiled a multi-million-pound visitor center at Caol Ila as part of a £185 million investment in scotch whisky tourism.
This Caol Ila whisky was bottled long before the brand unveiled its first permanent official bottling. Distilled in 1974 at bottled after 20 years of maturation at 43% ABV, this expression is courtesy of Hart Brothers, an independent bottling company with roots dating back to the 19th century.
Latest News