Today two secret Lowlanders


September 1, 2025

WF’s Little Duos, today two secret Lowlanders

The consensus is that these are Glenkinchies, but I get the impression no one would stake their reputation on it. As for me, I must humbly admit that I’m quite incapable of recognising Glenkinchie with any real certainty in a blind tasting.

Distilled at a Lowland Distillery 9 yo 2013/2023 (56.5%, Watt Whisky, ruby port finish, Taiwan exclusive, 314 bottles)

With ruby Port, we might brace ourselves for a raspberry avalanche, mightn’t we? This finishing stage lasted a rather substantial 19 months. Colour: ripe apricot. Nose: the port’s very much in charge, make no mistake. Strawberry tart, blueberry muffins, overripe damsons, and those sticky nut-and-fruit cakes that occasionally pop up at village fêtes… Even that famous cherry beer our Belgian friends concoct, the Kriek, which we’re rather fond of, though that fondness earns us sniggers and scorn from said Belgian friends. With water: shifts a little towards cherry cake soaked in syrup. Mouth (neat): finishing turned up to eleven, frankly this is more Port with a dram of whisky than the other way ‘round. Now I’m not saying it’s not good, but you do need to be fully committed to the red fruit agenda. Utterly committed. With water: this is where the crux lies—it’s wildly improbable, yet rather well executed. Altogether a new sort of Caledonian–Lusitanian hybrid spirit, perhaps. Finish: long, jammy, richly fruity. The cherries call the tune throughout. Comments: now go on, try slapping a score on this! Please don’t take it too seriously …
SGP:751 - 85 points.

Lowland Single Malt 11 yo 2013/2025 (57.5%, Cadenhead, Enigma, refill oloroso finish, 1,590 bottles)

A refill cask, which might offer a welcome reprieve from the razzmatazz of the Ruby (My Dear, ha). Colour: gold. Nose: rather charming, on fig cake and pistachio nougat, with a touch of that mandarin liqueur our Belgian friends—yes, them again—do so well. They call it Mandarine Napoléon, which suggests they’ve rather forgiven old Boney. Well, perhaps we’re reading too much into it… With water: much the same. Not terribly complex but spot-on in terms of aromatic balance. A touch of maltiness and something akin to beer make a quiet appearance. Mouth (neat): this is very good, well-balanced, delightfully creamy, slightly liqueur-like, again that duet of candied citrus peel and dried figs singing in fine harmony. With water: a little more citrusy tension, quite proper, edging towards something almost refreshing, though let’s not get carried away. Finish: of medium length but gentle, more on honeyed softness, though the citrus, figs, honey, and a pinch of spice—mulled wine style—still lead the dance. Comments: a draw in Campbeltown, as it were.
SGP:651 - 85 points.