Review: Lismore Speyside Single Malt

By Rob Theakston | September 8, 2020 |

Lismore is a non-distilling producer from Speyside which gathers its goods from an undisclosed location. The independent bottler in question, William Lundie & Co., is keeping mum on the source, and that’s quite all right. There are enough mysteries and turmoil in the world to fret upon without having to diligently sleuth for an answer to such a question. However, a quick cursory search reveals Lundie to be a subsidiary of J&G Grant, owner of Glenfarclas, so make of that what you wish.

This no-age-statement expression carries a Speyside flavor profile one would come to expect on the nose: soft fruit and floral with a little bit of honey and vanilla when letting it idle in the glass for a few moments. The honey comes through on the palate, which also carries over the fruit notes from the nose, but the whisky has a mild astringent kick towards the end. The finish is the highlight: It’s quite lingering, and pivots from fruit notes to a soft mix of cinnamon, malt, oak, and honey. If this is indeed Glenfarclas, it is quite the youngling.

You’re not going to have the time of your life with this bottle, but it may be passable as a housewarming present for a co-worker, something to bring to a dinner party in lieu of wine, or as a pre-game bottle to share with friends in a parking lot before a Steely Dan/Steve Winwood double bill. Three things I ought to be doing this summer instead of existing in a quarantined state.

80 proof.

C / $25