The Lismore 100 Proof is interesting because I’m not picking up any of that ashy earthiness I find in most of the other Lismore releases and so I can’t help but wonder if they used a different source for this one. Being a “mystery malt”, whose source is a closely guarded secret, I have yet to find any concrete info on it so I have no idea where it comes from. Being a mystery malt it also mean that they could indeed switch who their source is without telling anyone because they never disclosed it in the first place. It’s one of the frustrating things about NDPs.
However, that won’t stop me from speculating. I’ve read that Lismore might be, but maybe not this one, undesirable casks from Balmenach, Glen Grant or Glenrothes. All three of those distilleries, especially Glen Grant and Glenrothes, I’ve picked up a similar earthy ashiness to it. Though to be forthright I also haven’t had young whisky from all 50+ distilleries from Speyside, so chances are there could be a better fit. If you’re reading this and have an idea, or even better, an inside source I’d love to hear to it.
Lismore Single Malt 100 Proof Review
Bottler: William Lundie & Co.
Age: NAS
ABV: 50%
Price: $24
EYE
Light caramel
NOSE
A bit of an improvement over the regular Lismore Single Malt. Warmer notes of honey, malt and graham start it out with a bit of vanilla and some mushy fruit that’s more tropical than orchard but with notes of both. Add a bit of water and some baking spice, wood and a bit of astringency kick up in the back.
PALATE
Honey again starts things off along with some fruit, waffle cones, vanilla, caramel and baking spice. Add some water and let it sit for a second or 10 and some light woody notes and a touch of char show up. Still not amazingly complex, but it’s better at a higher proof.
FINISH
Fruit kicks up some with malt and honey running through as it fades to baking spices and char on a long finish.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Decent balance with the malt, wood and spice pushing back against the sweet notes and there isn’t that overwhelming ashy earthiness pulling things down here. Medium body with a smooth almost oily texture that runs a bit hotter than you’d expect, even with a splash of water.
OVERALL
It’s a slightly better whisky than the 40% version, but it still has it’s problems. The nose is light and a bit closed off and even though the palate is more robust, it still isn’t amazingly complex or interesting. It’s decent for what it is, but in the end it feels a bit clinical. Like someone read about Speyside whisky and then engineered it in a lab. It has a very structured essence to it that, in the end, puts me off and keeps it out of the 80s.
SCORE: 78/100
