I'll be honest — when a relatively young Lowland single malt lands on my desk at just eight years old and nearly seventy-five pounds, I approach it with a raised eyebrow. But the Inchdairnie Kinglassie Double Matured 2017 has given me good reason to set that scepticism aside. This is a whisky that knows exactly what it wants to be, and at 46.3% ABV — unchillfiltered, one would hope, at that strength — it arrives with enough conviction to make its case.
The Lowlands have long been the quiet corner of Scotch whisky. While Islay gets the headlines and Speyside fills the shelves, the southern reaches of Scotland have been building something genuinely interesting in recent years. This Kinglassie expression sits squarely in that new wave: a single malt bottled at a sensible strength, with a double maturation that suggests real thought has gone into the cask programme rather than simply filling wood and waiting.
What to Expect
At eight years old, this is not a whisky trying to compete on sheer age. Instead, the double maturation does the heavy lifting here, adding layers of complexity that you might not expect from a Lowland malt of this vintage. The 46.3% ABV is a welcome choice — strong enough to carry flavour with authority, gentle enough that it doesn't bully the palate. For a Lowland single malt, you can reasonably expect a lighter, more approachable spirit as the foundation, with the secondary maturation contributing additional depth and character. The "Kinglassie" designation and 2017 vintage year suggest this is a specific batch release rather than a production line offering, which always piques my interest.
The Verdict
I've scored this a 7.6 out of 10, and I want to be clear — that is a genuinely positive mark. This is a well-constructed Lowland single malt that demonstrates what thoughtful cask management can achieve with younger spirit. At £74.95, you're paying a fair price for an eight-year-old single malt bottled at a decent strength with a double maturation profile. It isn't cheap, but it doesn't pretend to be something it's not. There are no outlandish age claims, no gimmicks — just a straightforward Lowland whisky that rewards attention. If you're the sort of drinker who has written off the Lowlands as too light or too simple, this Kinglassie expression may well change your mind. It has certainly earned its place on my shelf.
Best Served
I'd recommend this one neat at room temperature, giving it a good five minutes in the glass before your first sip. If you find the 46.3% carries a little too much heat on first pour, a few drops of cool water will open it up without diminishing it. This is a whisky that deserves a quiet evening and an unhurried approach — a dram for sitting with, not rushing through. A Lowland malt of this quality pairs beautifully with nothing more than good company and a comfortable chair.
