Lismore Single Malt

Rating: 9/23 N: This is a lighter and grassier nose than Lismore The Legend and it has a bit of honey too. It shares the core funky herbal character and there's some complexity in here for sure. There's something a dash oily even. There's some sulphur, but oddly not as much as in The Legend. It seems like a solid enough nose, but nothing too exciting. It does smell on the young side. P: This is light with some burnt grass, harsh spice, mint, some other herbal flavors, green apple, zesty lemon, a little oiliness (though not enough to fill out the body), and a little bit of some floral grain flavor or something. The bitter alcohol flavor really does come through along with the harshness. F: Herbal, bitter, a bit minty. There isn't a lot of body here. Harshness. Maybe a hint of soap. I prefer the body. - Conclusion - This isn't the worst cheap scotch I've had by any means, but it is actively unpleasant, unlike Lismore The Legend, which is seriously flawed, but still very enjoyable. Getting into some -side-by-siding, Glen Logie is far worse than this. I can't say I really enjoyed this, but the Glen Logie was far more sulphuric and also harsher. I can drink this fine enough, but I felt compelled to spit the Glen Logie. Grant's is more sulphuric and muddled. While I can't say that Grant's is as bad as Glen Logie, it's still pretty bad. This is definitely better than it though. I guess it's time to move up to Sir Edward's 12 then. The rich oiliness and smoothness of Sir Edward's put it above this for sure. I think I probably stand by the 7 I gave Grant's, but the 9 I gave Sir Edward's seems too low (possibly because of the several months of aeration). If I'd had to pick a number for it right now, it would have been more in the 10 to 12 range. Highland Queen Majesty Sauternes has more sulfur and less complexity, but also less harshness and a nice sweet, rich sauternes flavor. I'd take this over that, but I think I overrated the Highland Queen previously when I gave it a 10. Originally, I thought that this Lismore was certainly not as high as a 10, landing more in the 8 to 9 range. I'm now liking it more and I think it might actually be a 10. The harshness is a problem, but the sulfur is less apparent and the flavors are kind of interesting. I'm going with a 9, but there's a chance it could be a 10. for $18, this isn't a bad buy.

Smooth and easy. Honey and lemon peel on the nose with a smoky, peaty taste up front. The thing is the lemon is so subtle as to bring to mind lemon blossoms rather than lemon peel. Or perhaps both. Either way it’s nice. The smoky, peaty taste gives way soon enough returning to honey and lemon, leaving a deliciously subtle, delicate scotch for sipping, or for pairing with tobaccos. This is a great scotch for non-scotch drinkers, or for paring with a fine tobacco when you do not want bold scotch flavors to over power your tobaccos.

N: light fruity, apple, pear, honey, sweet hay or straw, a neat little bubblegum note, lightest touch of a herbal note, light oak. T: light fruitiness, malted caramel syrup like what would be used in a cola, nice oak barrel spices, white peppery note, some grassy herbal notes, light smoke, medium finish. Not too bad for a budget blend with no age statement and for $30.

Far exceeded my expectations. Candied fruit and peat coming in late. I bet this is a young Glenfarclas as it has similar characteristics and Glenfarclas owns the Lismore brand. Very nice and a great value. I will definitely be buying again.

It's always better than I expect it to be. Fairly fruity and sweet, lacks punch at 40% but there's still plenty of nice flavors to be found. I prefer it considerably to comparably priced blends and I'd certainly consider buying again.

I am a fan of Glenn Moray and this was the closest I found at Trader Joe’s. The nut and Carmel come out to play over ice! It’s a easy Happy hour sipping scotch or night cap pleasure. Not extravagant but simple joy!