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| Hi, this is one of our (almost) daily tastings. Santé! |
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March 3, 2026 |
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A few Inchdairnie
(or Finglassie, Ryelaw, Balgothrie, Strathenry, Kinglassie…)
(Inchdairnie) |
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Indeed these fairly recent Lowlanders are not so easy to keep track of, as they appear under different names here and there, particularly among the independents, and they distil both malted barley and rye, using a Lomond still in addition to traditional pot stills. What we understand is that Kinglassie (OB) and Finglassie (IB) are peated, whereas Inchdairnie (OB) and Strathenry (IB) are not.
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Inchdairnie ‘Ryelaw’ (46.3%, OB, 2022) 
At more than 120€, that stings a little, as we say. 53% rye, the rest malted barley. Colour: gold. Nose: a very handsome rye, we do adore rye, with lavender, violet, pumpernickel, fresh fir sawdust and gingerbread. Mouth: soft, almost sweet, yet very much to my liking. Violet sweets, pink peppercorn, salted butter caramel, liquorice marshmallow and blood orange. Finish: not especially long but fresh and very much in line with the rest. Comments: I regret not having tasted it earlier, but I confess that we have been somewhat caught off guard by the explosion of new distilleries in recent years.
SGP:750 - 85 points. |
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Inchdairnie ‘Strathenry’ 6 yo 2018/2025 ‘Tropical Fruit Salad’ (50%, Elevenses, 1st fill bourbon barrel, 589 bottles) 
This time it is indeed a single malt. Colour: chardonnay. Nose: light on the nose, not so much on that famous tropical fruit salad, rather more on apples, pears and greengages. But that is just as well, is it not? A fairly discreet nose for the moment. With water: a very slight smoky touch, flint, otherwise orchard fruits. Mouth (neat): cane syrup, pear juice, barley eau-de-vie, a hint of banana, sponge cake. Nothing much to add, it is very simple, but it is good. With water: little change. Finish: of medium length, very clean, fruity and on barley. Comments: I like it a lot, but it of course does not quite have the slightly exuberant personality of the rye.
SGP:541 - 80 points. |
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Inchdairnie ‘Finglassie’ 8 yo 2017/2025 (57.9%, James Eadie, Malaga cask finish, cask #374467)
A finishing of 19 months, all the same. Colour: deep gold. Nose: here we are absolutely on flint, gunflint, coriander seed, even juniper, charcoal, barbecue and chimney smoke, the ‘good’ exhaust fumes, I am not saying that it is good for the planet, mind you… With water: very lovely, toothpaste, patchouli, cedarwood, lit cigar, linoleum… Mouth (neat): powerful, jammy, very smoky, very much on resinous wood and tar liqueur. With water: peppermint arrives and brings it all smartly to heel. Notes of briarwood and old pipe… Finish: long, rather jammy and infused, grapefruit and mint, yet it all works. Comments: the Malaga has done a splendid job. I like this baby very much, especially its originality… A true wee beastie that does not copy Islay, if you see what I mean.
SGP:565 - 87 points. |
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Inchdairnie ‘Kinglassie’ 8 yo 2017/2025 ‘RAW Edition’ (46.3%, OB, ex-bourbon)
Peated malt at 50ppm and a design in the style of Arlen Ness, circa 1990. I say that for the Harley enthusiasts, if any remain. Not Steve Harley, mind. Colour: pale white wine. Nose: gherkin juice and carbon and marble dust, it is truly very original and we rather like it. That briny edge is quite spectacular, let us see what it does on the palate… Mouth: ah this is pleasant, very cross-category, with notes of pisco and tequila, even gin. It is rather disconcerting, but I rather enjoy it. Ginger liqueur, miso, brine, oysters… Finish: fairly long, on those same notes. Comments: a great deal of fun and you know, we are in this game solely for the fun. Obviously, the question that will arise is what to do with the bottle once it is empty. Perhaps make chilli oil in it for your pizzas or pasta?
SGP:555 - 85 points. |
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Inchdairnie ‘Kinglassie’ 8 yo 2017/2025 ‘Double Matured’ (46.3%, OB, ex-amontillado)
50ppm once again. In the RAW one did not quite feel it as much, we were not entirely in Ardbeggian territory... Colour: gold. Nose: a slightly ‘American’ nose, if you see what I mean, fairly wood-driven yet coherent. Fir, liquorice, rye… And not an enormous amount of amontillado. Mouth (neat): very good, not hugely amontillado indeed, but nicely taut where it needs to be, with fresh and slightly resinous smoke, well-controlled tannins, and that faintly jammy side found in many modern young malts that rely rather heavily on their… casks. Here, it is well played, certainly. Finish: fairly long, a touch resinous, yet elegant. Comments: please do not ask me to choose between this and the previous one, both are handsome modern beasts. It is very good, without any doubt, and to be honest, I think it could wake up quite a few old distilleries that are resting somewhat on their laurels. No, no names.
SGP:555 - 85 points. |
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Inchdairnie ‘Balgothrie’ (63.4%, James Eadie, Project 1927, spirit drink, 2025)
We have already a-do-red all the new makes from this series that we have tasted. But really, yet another new name for Inchdairnie! … Colour: white as proper water. Nose: here we are absolutely on Williams pear eau-de-vie, though there are still lovely touches of dill and, of course, fresh bread. That said, it may not have quite the full dimension that the others possessed… With water: little whiffs of smoke. Mouth (neat): perfect eau-de-vie, 75% pear, 25% sour cherry. Nothing to add. With water: pear to the fore, forget the cherry. Finish: long, still on pear, with just a small salty touch. Comments: as always, we wonder whether it might not be possible to sell these new makes, but of course the name British Plain Spirit has nothing attractive about it. Perhaps for a punk band, circa 1978?
SGP:740 - 82 points. |
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