Lucy’s September 2026 Cheese of the Month: Minger

Minger has long been a favourite of mine so I am thrilled that it will be found at Cheesewick this month and I can at last really shout about it.

Made by the Stone family in the Highlands it is a soft pungent, washed-rind cows’ milk cheese. It has a sticky bright orange rind coloured with natural annatto and is named after the Scottish slang word for something foul-smelling (ming!).

Rory who will attend the September market, has been known to describe the smell as like that of an old welly boot, but don’t let that put you off – despite its ‘barnyard’ nose the inside is buttery, smooth and as it ripens gloriously gooey. It tastes distinctively ‘savoury’ and mildly nutty. Its bark is much worse than its bite!

I adore it on any cheeseboard, but I do have a secret vice with this cheese – I absolutely love it on slightly burnt sourdough toast topped with a thick layer of bitter marmalade – for me an almost unparalleled weekend indulgence! My culinary quirks aside, this cheese pairs very well with ripe fruits and oatcakes. For whisky drinkers this is a fabulous combo but if you want to enjoy this cheese as a lighter snack then I love it with a crisp white wine as I like the juxtaposition of the tartness of the wine and the creamy richness of the cheese. A good strong ale will sit happily alongside, and I urge you to taste this cheese this Sunday. Overcome its smell and you will discover a cheese which undoubtably become a firm favourite.