India | NYC Whiskey Review

Paul John – Nirvana

December 6, 2023 India

Name: Paul John – Nirvana

Color: Yellow

Nose: Malt, fruits, honey, dry wood

Taste: Malt, cake-fruit, sugar/honey

The Christmas countdown has begun! Do you have all your bottles ready!?!

Paul John whiskey is distilled in Goa, India and was introduced to the U.S. markets in around 2016. Goa is in the Southwestern coast of India, is known as a hippie area with a lot of ex-Pats, but more importantly, it has a tropical climate year-round. I would not say the climate creates a better flavor, but in my experience, maturation in warmer climates leads to richer flavors. However, not so much in this expression.

The Paul John Nirvana expression is bottled at 40% abv and has an interesting blend of flavors, but it feels more a mishmash that has been thrown together quickly to make a cheaper expression. I believe this is the cheapest expression I have seen on the shelf from Paul John and the taste matches the price.

Nirvana has a nice finish with a malt/fruit/butter sugar cream thing going on and after a few sips it grows on you, but the balance is not there. It is a more of a summer than a winter, but it is still not something that I enjoyed drinking. I cannot recommend buying a bottle of this whiskey, only to try a taste to see if you like it first.

Priced around $40-45 and not for everyone. Remember, my wallet and I suffer for you reading.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Paul John “Mithuna” Single Malt Whisky

January 19, 2023 India

Name: Paul John “Mithuna” Single Malt Whisky

Color: Copper

Nose: Malt, honey, tropical fruit, mango passion, cedar wood

Taste: Malt, fruits, oak, spices, vanilla

Mithuna Single Malt Whisky is one of Paul John’s newer expressions on the market and is part of the Zodiac series. The name translates to “Mother India” and is one of the months in India’s solar calendar. First release was “Kanya” but now, there is not much left that expression. This mini bottle was a gift from Devin Vilardi a brand ambassador at the time for Paul John for virtual tasting in 2021. This is the 3^rd item sent to me for review since I started four years ago. Slow and steady wins the race in the review world I guess.

The whisky is distilled from 6 row barley, natural colored, aged five years in American virgin oak and one year in ex-bourbon barrels at a char-3 level. Bottled at 58% abv it is a little hot so a touch of water is needed to open it up and bring out the flavors.

Mithuna has a very nice flavor and balance. It has a blend of tropical/exotic fruits and Scottish malt flavors. It is not trying to be one or the other, just a blend of both styles. It is the best whisky I have sampled from Paul John, but it comes at a high price.

Priced around $300 and worth it if you like the flavor profile and fits your budget. If you haven’t tried Indian Whisky I recommend you start with the more affordable Paul John expressions such as Brilliance or Edited Single Malt.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Paul John – Brilliance

October 27, 2022 India

Name: Paul John – Brilliance

Color: Copper

Nose: Apples, malt, sweetness

Taste: Malt, grassy, toffee

Paul John Brilliance is another expression from Paul John Distilleries in Goa, India. Unlike its sister Edited, it is a bit plainer with mainly a malt/grass taste. There is no peat or exotic fruit in the flavor profile. This not a bad thing, I just was not expecting it.

The whisky is non-chilled filtered and is made with 6-row barley. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a member of the grass family and there are 2 or 6 row types of barley. The two and six row barley each have pros and cons, but I won’t get too deep into that subject. The main pros of six row barley are that is has a higher protein levels and more enzymes for converting starch into sugar. Getting sugar from the starch is a very big part of the distilling process. As for as the taste, could not tell you the difference, but I can say that Brilliance is very malty and grassy. I struggled to taste much else, which made it a bit dull. Brilliance is non-peated, so it is more of a summer drink that a cold winter dram. Personally, I need my peat and smoke in my whisky when the snow falls.

Priced around $50 and worth the money, just not my preferred flavor profile.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Amrut Single Malt – Cask Strength

August 18, 2022 India

Name: Amrut Single Malt – Cask Strength

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Malt, tropical fruits, wood

Taste: Malt, white fruits, mango, oak

The Amrut Distillery is headquartered in the Rajajinagar neighborhood of Bangalore, India and was founded in 1947 as a laboratory and became a distillery in 1948 when liquor laws changed. The distillery is mainly known for producing brandy, rum, vodka, and gin. In the beginning of their whiskey production they had trouble breaking into the market as they aged product fast and the quality of their product was questioned. Also, it did not help that most people thought India could not produce a good whiskey. In 2005 Jim Murray gave a high rating to their whiskey which brought worldwide attention to their expressions.

Amrut Cask Strength is 100% malted barley, aged 4+ years in ex-bourbon and new charred oak barrels, and bottled at 61.8% abv. It is non-chilled filtered, natural colored, and “Amrut” is a Sanskrit word which means “nectar of the gods”. It is a very Scotland malt tasting whiskey and needs a little water to open due to the cask strength. It is very good and different than the few Paul John expressions that I have sampled. I am sure their methods and regions in India have a role in the taste difference, but I have only previously experience Paul John so I will need to learn more.

Other expressions are: MaQ Scotch, MaQintosh, Prestige Fine Whisky, Prestige Blended Malt Whisky, Prestige Rare Whisky, Single Malt Whisky 46%, Peated Indian Single Malt Whisky 46%, Fusion Indian Single Malt Whisky 50%, Cask Strength, Peated Indian Single Malt Whisky Cask Strength, Intermediate Sherry, Two Continents Single Malt Whisky, Portonova, Kadambham, Single Cask, and Amrut 100.

Priced around $75 and very good and I recommend you try it. I look forward to sampling more expressions in the future.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Paul John – Edited Single Malt (NAS)

January 5, 2021 India

Name: Paul John Edited Edition

Color: Amber gold

Nose: Peat, exotic fruit, barley, charred oak

Taste: Barley peat, caramel, chocolate, and light charred wood

Review:

The moment I put the glass to my nose I was immediately reminded me of scotch, and the first sip reminded me of Japanese whisky. After my second sip, I realized that Edited Single Malt has its own style and that style is impressive and of India.

The Edited expression is single malt, non-aged statement (NAS), and has a Highland style (Islay) taste with fruit. The peat, smoke, wood, and fruit flavors are balanced very well. The whisky is distinct, rich tasting, and I found it very refreshing.

Paul John Single Malts are distilled in Goa, India and were introduced to America in the summer of 2016. Goa is located in the Southwestern coast of India and has a tropical climate year round. Similar to Taiwan, the hot and humid climates mature the whisky much faster than cold climates. The flavor profiles from hot to cold climates are very different, but are a matter of opinion for you the drinker. I would not say climate creates a better flavor, but in my experience, maturation in warmer climates leads to richer flavors.

Many whiskies are now coming from countries that are not traditionally known for whisky production. Countries such as Germany, South Africa, Sweden, France, Taiwan, and Brooklyn (it is almost a country) are all in the business of making whisky. It is a great time for whisky right now and there is no shortage of places creating the spirits. I tell you this only to remind you to be open to trying everything. Do not be “Bourbon Only!” or “18 Year Old Single Malts are the only thing I will drink!” type of person. A closed-minded person is a boring person and even more so when it comes to whisky. They are also a dick.

Price around $65 is Paul John Edited very good whisky at a very good price. I highly recommend it you try it.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Scotch Malt Whisky Society (of America) – Paul John Whisky Release

June 11, 2020 India

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a SMWSA event at Junoon Restaurant to preview their new partnership with Paul John Whisky (PJ) from Goa, India. Mr. Paul John was in attendance to promote the launch along with members and non-members. If you are not familiar with SMWS please click here for my previous review. I enjoy Paul John Whisky very much and I highly recommend it if you have not tried it. At the event light appetizers where served along with 4 drams of the new expressions.

The new SMWSA & PJ were the following:

Cask 134.1 “Exotic rainforest fruits” Age: 6yrs, Refilled Ex-Bourbon barrels, Distilled February 2010, ABV: 57.9%, 36 allocated for USA. Price = $245.00

Cask 134.2 “Lip-smacking and cockle-warming” Age: 6yrs, Refilled Ex-Bourbon barrels, Distilled March 2010, ABV: 58.0%, 42 allocated for USA. Price = $245.00

Cask 134.3 “Hello flavour” Age: 6yrs, Refilled Ex-Bourbon barrels, Distilled March 2010, ABV: 56.9%, 42 allocated for USA. Price = $245.00

Cask 134.4 “Struts its stuff” Age: 6yrs, Refilled Ex-Bourbon barrels, Distilled November 2010, ABV: 57.0%, 48 allocated for USA. Price = $245.00

As you can see, all are 6 years old and cask strength. I enjoyed them all but none of them were mind blowing good.

In my previous review of SMWS I had some critiques, this time around I have complaints.

Complaint #1:

Price of $245.00. My thoughts when I saw this was and still are, “HOLY SHIT ARE YOU SERIOUS? If I bought one bottle, plus shipping and added the event ticket ($107.62) I would spend approximately $390.00. Since you as the reader did not go to the event, let me do the basic math for you.

In NYC Store Total = (PJ Edited) + (PJ Brilliance) + (PJ Classic) + (PJ Peated)

NYC = $60 + $60 + $100 + $100

NYC = $320.00 (3000ml)

SMWS PJ Total = (Bottle) + (Shipping)

SMWS PJ = $245 + $35 (approx.)

SMWS PJ = $275 (750ml)

As you can see from the math, you must really love this whisky or have money to spend to purchase a 6-year-old cask strength whisky at that price.

Complaint #2:

There is still NO VENUE BAR IN NYC at the time I am writing this review. I heard the representative pouring the samples telling a guest, “we hope to open one soon”. It is time to open a venue or partner bar in NYC. There is a bar on every corner in NYC, you can find a way and please don’t tell me about the liquor laws again.

There are many societies, clubs and tastings out there you can experience. SMWSA does offers something different, but I don’t see it has something that special or rare. Having a membership to buy expensive bottles is not special. Opening a venue bar in NYC and being a member is special.

As you can tell I find the price too high. As I have stated before, when they open a bar in NYC I will renew my membership.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Paul John Edited Single Malt

May 23, 2019 India

Name: Paul John Edited Single Malt

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Cinnamon, barley, peat, very Scottish single malt nose

Taste: Medium bodied, light vanilla with peat and smoke

Review:

If you follow whiskeys or have explored the shelf on a well stocked liquor store you may have noticed the country of India has entered the whiskey market. One might think India is not a place where whiskeys are produced but after tasting this one, I think India is well on their way to creating a strong market. I had not yet tried whiskey from India, but at NYC Whiskey Live 2017 the Paul John Edited Single Malt was served and I took some extra time to sample it. The whiskey is named after the founder Mr. Paul P. John who is Indian and has made great efforts to produce a quality product. This whiskey is from Goa, India in the Southeast region of the country and is made from 6 row barely and matured in ex-bourbon barrels for 6-7 years. Due to the high heat and humidity in India the whiskey, similar to bourbon, comes at a natural higher proof which is a nice bonus to any bottle.

If Goa sounds familiar it is because it is a popular place for ex-pats, hippies, and the Bourne Supremacy (2004) movie had its opening chase scene in the city and on the coast.

I was very surprised by this whiskey. I immediately got a Scottish Single malt feeling from it but with a twist in the taste. This bottle tastes Scottish but has its own thing going on when it comes to flavor. It reminds me how Japanese whiskey is clearly different from other whiskeys. Each country has their own style and flavor that becomes more define to me as I taste more of it.

Very well priced and a good value at around $65. Try it so you can taste what India has created.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Paul John – Nirvana

Paul John “Mithuna” Single Malt Whisky

Paul John – Brilliance

Amrut Single Malt – Cask Strength

Paul John – Edited Single Malt (NAS)

Scotch Malt Whisky Society (of America) – Paul John Whisky Release

Paul John Edited Single Malt

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