Lismore Single Malt is a “mystery malt” or a “bastard malt” as the Malt Maniacs put it. This basically means that we have no idea where it’s sourced from and the only thing we do know is that William Lundie & Co. are NDPs who are sourcing and bottling Speyside whisky. As far as we know they aren’t distilling a drop, which is fine because they aren’t claiming to have.
This NAS offering was my first exposure to this particular brand of value priced single malts. Which, if you’re ever looking for cheap whisk(e)y to experiment with, is a great place to start and Trader Joe’s always has it in stock. TJ’s is also decent place to go general whisky shopping. They have some well known brands for cheap and they have their own private bottlings for even cheaper. Many of my out-for-everyone / fair-game bottles come from Trader Joe’s because, like everything else in the store, they’re priced incredibly well.
Lismore Speyside Single Malt Review
Bottler: William Lundie & Co.
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%
Price: $17
EYE
Light Caramel
NOSE
Kind of a Plain Jane Speyside nose. Light fruity character with a bit of malt, caramel, honey and a touch of earth. There’s just not a whole lot going on here.
PALATE
Same here, just not a whole lot to get excited about. Some fruitiness, butterscotch, malt, honey candy, a thin hint of spice and a weird earthy note. Not sulfury, more like ashy dirt.
FINISH
Long and mostly made of that ashy earthy quality with some slight notes of malt, fruit, graham and spice
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
The weird ashy earthiness pulls it off balance for me; not enough of the fruity or sweeter characters to even things out. Light weak body and watery feel. Not exciting.
OVERALL
The bottom line here is that it’s a $17 Speyside Single Malt. It’s not going to wow you, nor is it trying to, but if you’re maybe just starting out in the Single Malt world and want to test out the value priced end of the pool before jumping into the deeper end this wouldn’t be a bad way to go. If you’re an experienced scotch sipper this one won’t have much to offer, but if you’re a cocktail crafter, or want something for when company comes over, then this isn’t a bad $17 bottle to keep lying around.
SCORE: 77/100
I’ve only tried three other scotches, Ardbeg 10, Johnnie Walker Black and Arbelour 12. This beats the Ardbeg 10, pushes with the Johnnie Walker Black, not up to the standard of the Arbelour 12. But the price is even less than the blended Johnny Walker.so I give it a thumbs up. A bit harsh, tho.
Thanks for sharing Mic!
I think that everything expressed on this sight is accurate. Lismore is a satisfying drink at a very satisfying price.
Thanks Ben, cheers!
Five years ago, I happened into a TJs in Daly City Ca. On a business trip, and picked up a bottle of Lismore. I found the flavor to be unexpectedly great for the sub $20 price tag. Back in NC, no Lismore, TJs doesn’t sell liquor here, state controlled. Two years ago was back in San Francisco, picked up two bottles, one for the trip, one to take home. Last month found a bottle at the state run ABC store, SCORE!!!
Nice, glad you found it. Cheers!
I just got some last week, I like it but have not any other single malts yet. I haven’t had scotch for maybe 30 years.
I found it here in NC at the ABC store at $25.00 for 750 not a great price.
They seem to have a quality control problem. I have found over the last couple of years about 1 out 0f 10 bottles is not fit to drink. The other 9 are just fine for an inexpensive single malt.
Interesting, I haven’t had enough to really say on that level, but thank you for the info!
Found the reviews very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to write them.
TJ’s Lismore is a great every day scotch. It’s got a lot of flavor, good flavors as a bonus. I describe it as cinnamony, I find a definite hit of that specific cinnamon heat to it. Based on the pricing it’s three bottles of Lismore to one of the Balvenie triple-oak. My solution to that dilemma ? Have a Balvenie on-hand for special occasions, but be generous with the Lismore.
As an added bonus, TJs will often have the fancy cardboard tube packaging; which makes Lismore a good, inexpensive gift.
It is certainly cheap.
Obviously watered down–a lot.
The exact opposite of Laphroiag.
If Laphroiag is too strong, Lismore is way too weak.
Can’t disagree with that. Cheers :)
Dear Keith.
Perhaps you’d be happy trying a bit of Kentucky Bourbon! Deep flavors of butterscotch caramel balanced with earthy tobacco and shroom. I would guide you to Rock Hill or Blanton’s. To be sure; you will enjoy these.
Take Care
Well…….. I gotta agree with others, this isn’t so bad, I rather like the Lismore. Please know, I’m no gourmet, but this goes down fairly smooth.
I’ve never had Scotch before and bought this for my nephew after reading the flavor notes. I LIKE IT. That says a lot – green newbie here and I only drink beer and some wine.
That’s awesome, I’m glad you like it. I think it’s a great whisky for staring out. Cheers Cyn!
The worst single malt I have had. Really watered down and not fun to drink at all.
I have bought a lot of more expensive bottles that were not half as good. Lismore is definitely better than the Japanese single malt that Trader Joe sells for four times as much.The question is if it is going to be consistent. In the past I tried their cheap Islay and one bottle was superb and the next two disappointing.
As a Scotsman and a drinker of both malts and blends, it is well known in Scotland that whisky shouldn’t be taken neat but with a drop of water or ice, it helps bring out the flavors, I have been on countless whisky tours round the distilleries back home and the experts say the same…water or ice. Lismore is a pretty decent malt, any Speyside malt is worth it’s salt. I was pleasantly surprised with the price, probably close to what you’d pay in Scotland for it. All in all great taste and great value.
I hear what you’re saying Lenny, and with cask strength it definitley does, but a drop of water doesn’t do anything to a 40% ABV whisky. It’s already had gallons of water added to it to bring it down from cask strength to 40%.
Save this for the non Scotch snobs. Comforting pot still single malt at the end of day – or sooner. I use it for cooking too. A shot in stone ground cheese grits with gulf shrimp and Andouille. Yum.
I had for the first time at he Chicago Blues Bsr in Key West. I am a Glenmorangie fan but this Lismore was terrific. What a great value and taste
I have and still do enjoy many rare and expensive single malts………have visited many distilleries and bottled my own Abundah……but for the money the Lismore is Fantastic sipping scotch. It is a super value when simply watching TV or conversing with the wife. Save the 20 to 30 year old whiskers for those special sipping occasions (unless money is no object) and even then, I enjoy Lismore because it is DAMN GOOD!
I agree entirely with this review. Spot on. This is a great affordable whisky for a neat dram at home or whatever. Nothing special but a great value for the price. And makes a nice smokey robroy.
For 17 bucks ya cant beat it!
Over the years many friends and acquaintances have bought me a “round of Scotch” … being a strict Jack Daniels guy I would politely accept thought I did not like Scotch … my girlfriend’s uncle, a 92-year-old gruff 101st Airborne who jumped at Normandy told me that single malt is the only way to go with Scotch and Speyside was all he drank … he had some Lismore and poured me some,neat, as he said why start a fire if you’re gonna put it out … it was smooth, no harsh fumes, and changed my outlook on Scotch … it will be derided by some, and the 77 rating looks bad, but it’s one of the best liquors I have ever drank and the only Scotch I drink today …
I just had it for the first time today. I like it. It is smooth and goes down very easy. I endorse and rely upon “old gruff”. Anyone from 101st has to know their scotch. Hoorah.
Aye!