In my humble opinion the 21 year Lismore Single Malt and the NAS Lismore Single Malt are the only 2 truly worth worth buying when you look at the price you pay and what you get. The NAS Lismore is a great single malt for cocktails or for when company comes over. The Lismore 21 on the other hand, what I’m reviewing here, is a tasty Speyside single malt that you can get for relatively cheap (in the 20+ yr single malt world that is).
It’s a nice, tasty, sippable Speyside Single Malt that comes from an unknown source (though rumored to be Glenrothes or Glenfarclas) and because it’s a mystery means that it’s source could change without warning. Whether that’s happened in the past, is happening now or will in the future is yet to be seen, but it’s something just to keep in mind should you pick one up and it tastes and smells nothing like what I’m describing below. Which is the biggest problem with “Mystery Malts” or “Bastard Malts”. You never really know what you’re getting.
Lismore 21 years Review
Bottler: William Lundie & Co.
Age: 21 years
ABV: 43%
Price: $80
EYE
Dark Caramel
NOSE
Rich orchard fruit, a nice bright punch of citrus, some honey, malt, toffee and an interesting raisin heavy dark fruit sit nice and round on the nose with light notes of sweet pastries, brown sugar and some wood giving support and adding some additional dimensions to what’s shaped up to be a pleasant aroma.
PALATE
Honey, malt, citrus, caramel and a thick layer of complex fruit lays the foundation for lighter notes of sweet cream, sweet pastry, vanilla, a smokey char, some oak and baking spices to play on. This is such a vast improvement over the other Lismore’s it’s incredible.
FINISH
Long sweet and savory finish of toffee, malt, citrus, spice and wood
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
A great balance, almost graceful and a warm full body of rich complexity that comes across soft and easy going with an appropriate amount of heat.
OVERALL
This is a decent deal. A nice tasting 21 year old Speyside Single Malt for about $80. That’s nearly impossible to find, or when you do it isn’t that great. If you’re looking for something that’s decently priced and has some of those older scotch notes of wood and dark sweets then this is the way to go. I’m honestly a bit shocked at how much I’m liking this one. So much so that I’m just going to stop typing.
SCORE: 87/100
