Lismore Single Malt

Rating: 9/23 Nose: This offers a lighter, grassier aroma than Lismore The Legend, with a hint of honey. It shares the fundamental funky herbal character, and there's certainly some complexity. It even has a slightly oily quality. There's some sulfur, but surprisingly less than in The Legend. The nose seems solid enough, though not particularly exciting. It does smell young. Palate: This is light, with some burnt grass, sharp spice, mint, other herbal notes, green apple, zesty lemon, a little oiliness (though not enough to give it full body), and a faint floral grain flavor or similar. The bitter alcohol taste really comes through, along with the sharpness. Finish: Herbal, bitter, slightly minty. Not much body here. Harshness. Perhaps a hint of soap. I prefer more body. - Conclusion - This isn't the worst inexpensive scotch I've encountered, but it's actively unpleasant. Lismore The Legend, while seriously flawed, is still quite enjoyable. Comparing side-by-side, Glen Logie is significantly worse than this. I can't say I truly enjoyed this, but Glen Logie was much more sulfuric and also harsher. I can drink this without issue, but I felt compelled to spit out the Glen Logie. Grant's is more sulfuric and muddled. While I can't claim Grant's is as bad as Glen Logie, it's still pretty poor. This is definitely better than Grant's. I suppose it's time to move up to Sir Edward's 12. The rich oiliness and smoothness of Sir Edward's place it above this for sure. I believe my previous rating of 7 for Grant's stands, but the 9 I gave Sir Edward's seems too low (perhaps due to several months of aeration). If I had to assign a number right now, it would likely be in the 10 to 12 range. Highland Queen Majesty Sauternes has more sulfur and less complexity, but also less harshness and a pleasant sweet, rich Sauternes flavor. I'd choose this over that, but I think I might have overrated the Highland Queen previously with a 10. Initially, I thought this Lismore was certainly not as high as a 10, probably in the 8 to 9 range. I'm liking it more now and believe it might actually be a 10. The harshness is an issue, but the sulfur is less noticeable and the flavors are somewhat interesting. I'm settling on a 9, but there's a possibility it could be a 10. For $18, this is a decent purchase.

Smooth and easy. Honey and lemon peel on the nose with a smoky, peaty taste right away. 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 pleasing. 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 pairing with a fine tobacco when you do not want bold scotch flavors to overwhelm your tobaccos.

Nose: faint fruit, apple, pear, honey, sweet hay or straw, a subtle bubblegum note, the slightest hint of herbs, light oak. Taste: light fruitiness, malted caramel syrup like that used in cola, pleasant oak barrel spices, white peppery note, some grassy herbal notes, light smoke, medium finish. Not too shabby for an inexpensive blend with no age statement and costing $30.

Far surpassed what I expected. Candied fruit and peat emerge later. I suspect it's a young Glenfarclas due to its similar characteristics, as Glenfarclas owns the Lismore brand. Very nice and a fantastic value. I will absolutely purchase it again.

It consistently exceeds my expectations. It's quite fruity and sweet, and while it lacks intensity at 40% ABV, there are still many enjoyable flavors. I significantly prefer it to similarly priced blends and would definitely consider buying it again.

I am a fan of Glenn Moray and this was the closest I found at Trader Joe’s. The nut and caramel notes emerge when served over ice! It’s an easy Scotch for happy hour sipping or a relaxing nightcap. Not fancy, but simple pleasure!