Highland Fine Cheeses in Tain, Scotland has achieved a 1-star award for its Minger at Great Taste 2025, landing more success for one the UK’s most celebrated washed rind cheeses. Out of 14,340 products to be entered into the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme, the pungent but crowd-pleasing soft annatto washed rind cheese was named among this year’s winning products.

Dubbed ‘rather fun’ by the judges, who are made up of food critics, writers, chefs and restaurateurs, Minger was praised for its attractive appearance, subtle farmyard lactic notes and its glossy oozing paste. Made by the Stone Family in the Scottish Highlands, the brie-style cheese, which takes its inspiration from Reblochon and Pont-l’Eveque, was commended for delivering on fantastic flavour.

Said Rory Stone, head cheesemaker at Highland Fine Cheeses: “We have been making cheese here for over 50 years, but to be recognised at Great Taste remains a real endorsement of the skill, passion and creativity that is taking place behind our fun and quirky cheese names. This soft and sticky little cheese has garnered a lot of attention for its unusual name, so it’s very pleasing to see it winning hearts in a blind tasted setting too. Great Taste is a stamp of approval, recognised the world over and is a real signpost towards the best products, so we are beyond thrilled to be among this year’s award-winners.”

There was more awards success for Highland Fine Cheeses at the Great Yorkshire Show earlier this month, where Fat Cow was named Champion in the soft cheese category. A nutty, buttery, sweet and well-balanced cheese, it was commended for its presentation and firm texture. Ooh La La, a soft and silky lactic style cow’s milk cheese, which is yet to be officially launched by Highland Fine Cheeses, received a gold award in the soft cheese category, and Minger scooped a bronze in the soft, semi-soft and washed rind category. For more visit hf-cheeses.com