Pot-ay-to....Pot-ar-to...

it is also how they say it in the bar of the Port Charlotte hotel on Islay..

HOWEVER

the person who is buying can insist on any pronunciation they want.

Probably something inbetween the two. Take a look at FOL website. I seem to remember there is a local actually pronouncing it.

While I wouldn't argue with a native, this might be of some help:

this page has tiny sound files in *.WAV and *.AU formats to demosnstrate how to pronounce the names of all the malt distilleries in Scotland.

It's from one of the oldest Malt Whisky websites on the net. The home page is

Welcome to the world of whisky and the conversation!

You've already found some of the smokiest, peatiest whiskies around. Since you're starting at the top of the mountain or near it, most of the whiskies you find will be less smoky/peaty, but that doesn't mean they wont be enjoyable in their own right. For other smoky ones, look for Lagavulin, Bowmore, Caol Ila, and Talisker. As a rule of thumb, a broad generalization, the younger ones will have more intense smoky flavors while the older ones will have more depth and complexity. There are other peaty whiskies that are a little more expensive and a little less widely available, but the ones above are a good place to start looking.

Bart

Thanks for the replies.

Lagavulin seems to be the next one to go for...seems to get a lot of mention in this ng.

As an aside, do you find that most of your, let's say acquaintances, avoid spirits, or avoid whisky....which is fantastic...means you never have to share it!

Chris

Just because a person is Scottish doesn't guarantee they know a lot about whisky - she ought to have enough humility to accept the company's website as an arbitrator. That said, you'll get laughed at for pronouncing a number of whiskies correctly because people assume that the way most people say it is correct.

I just can't bring myself to say Ledaig as Ledchig as it says on the side of bottle - even though I'm sure the bottle is right - I'm just convinced that I'd get laughed at.

I would certainly add Longrow (heavily peated, double distilled malt made at Springbank) to the recommended list. The most recent 10 year old ('95) is particularly good, but if you like sherry with your peat, you might still be able to find some of the Sherry Cask Longrows ('91 and no vintage) around. All the expressions are good, but try the 14yo before buying it. It has more creosote than some people are expecting.

Your friend, John

Bart wrote:

Also youy can venture along the Bruichladdich. They are in the process of making the Octomore they refer to as the most heavily peated whisky...

John wrote:

While it may not settle your argument as to the proper pronunciation here is a website with sound files of distillery pronunciations.

I have rather enjoyed this website.

Rick

Thanks a lot.

I win!

Chris.