Nestled in the Woodchester Valley, you find the idyllic Cotswold pub, The Ram Inn. It was here that the small but enthusiastic Stroud Whisky Club welcomed the global giant that is John Distilleries.
They are the world’s 7th largest Whisky producer , established in 1992 and their best known brand, Original Choice, sells more than 60 million bottles annually.
While many Whisky drinkers in the UK are becoming increasingly accustomed to world whiskies, not many are familiar with the quality of Indian single malt. Paul John Whisky will be a pleasant surprise to many people who are both new to Whisky as well as those who been enjoying Whisky for years but have only ever drunk Scotch.
They are the world’s 7th largest Whisky producer , established in 1992 and their best known brand, Original Choice, sells more than 60 million bottles annually.
While many Whisky drinkers in the UK are becoming increasingly accustomed to world whiskies, not many are familiar with the quality of Indian single malt. Paul John Whisky will be a pleasant surprise to many people who are both new to Whisky as well as those who been enjoying Whisky for years but have only ever drunk Scotch.
2012 saw the launch of Paul John Single Malt cask strength, in 2013 they launched their flagship single malts. All have attracted attention, accolades and awards. The 2 flagship expressions, Edited & Brilliance, have won Gold and Silver at the World Whiskies Master 2013, their Single Cask Expressions (P1 - 161, 163 & 164) have all been given the Liquid Gold Status by the Jim Murray Whisky Bible. The Single Cask P1-164 also won Silver at the International Spirits Challenge 2013 so they are gaining widespread attention as their Single Malts burst on to the world Whisky Stage.
Initially Paul John have allocated 2000 cases of Edited and Brilliance with a view to break into the UK market. Strangely, the UK is a fairly small market for Whisky compared to not only the Asian and American markets but also other European countries such as France and Sweden. Based on the reviews of the nights offerings they may need to get some more stock!
Initially Paul John have allocated 2000 cases of Edited and Brilliance with a view to break into the UK market. Strangely, the UK is a fairly small market for Whisky compared to not only the Asian and American markets but also other European countries such as France and Sweden. Based on the reviews of the nights offerings they may need to get some more stock!
The company, John Distilleries, is based in Bangalore, but the single malt distillery is located in Goa in southern India. The spirit produced for Paul John single malt is been made using 100% Indian barley and is distilled twice in traditional copper pot stills. The whisky matures very quickly in the casks due to the high temperatures and has an evaporation rate (the angel’s share) of approximately 12% per year. In fact, the peat imported from Islay is the only non-Indian component used in production. Using first-fill American oak ex-bourbon barrels (from distilleries such as Jack Daniels and Buffalo Trace, which help to add a lot of colour and sweetness to the Whisky) the casks are then stored at sea level. Age is not a question to ask of Paul John. They will say judge on flavour not age…and they are quite right.
On the 10th September 2013, Paul John Indian Single Malt joined Stroud Whisky Club for a Tasting evening. Presented by Sanjay Paul (Vice President of International and Overseas operations) the attendee’s were taken through the unique production processes and the challenges faced producing Whisky in temperatures that regularly reach 40’c. The intricacies of using six-row Barley (from the Himalayan foothills) rather than the traditional two-row used by Scottish distilleries. The depth of knowledge was impressive to say the least as he masterfully took everyone through the journey from conception to now.
Interwoven with the enthralling back history and behind the scenes narrative, we were given a Whisky Tasting Master class that included the 2 flagship offerings as well as 3 different and exceptional cask strength single malts. This included unreleased Whisky which is to be launched sometime in the future (we can’t say any more, we are sworn to secrecy except that is to say…wow, watch this space!).
Interwoven with the enthralling back history and behind the scenes narrative, we were given a Whisky Tasting Master class that included the 2 flagship offerings as well as 3 different and exceptional cask strength single malts. This included unreleased Whisky which is to be launched sometime in the future (we can’t say any more, we are sworn to secrecy except that is to say…wow, watch this space!).
Both Brilliance and Edited are estimated to be around the four/five year old mark and are bottled at 46% ABV. Brilliance is made from unpeated Indian malted barley whereas Edited is made from a combination of unpeated and peated Indian malted barley. As mentioned, both are matured in ex-bourbon casks. Both are available online and priced at around £38 for Brilliance and £42 for Edited. Further information can also be found at www.pauljohnwhisky.com.
SWC Tasting notes - Brilliance ABV 46%
Brilliance in non-chill filtered non-peated Indian Single Malt Whisky.
Colour - Pale golden straw
Nose - Warm cereals, rich honey, sea salt as well as a lovely mix of other aromas including vanilla, dried grass and cinnamon.
Palate - Malty cereals with pleasant sweetness honey, vanilla, sea salt and some sweet darker fruits. There is a gentle spice tingle with a hint oak.
Finish - Extremely pleasant and medium long. You are left with a tingle right in the middle of the tongue.
SWC Tasting notes – Edited ABV 46%
This is the lightly peated flagship offering. There are no exact Phenol levels given but it is between 15% - 20%.
Colour - Light golden straw.
Nose - Malted barley, salted caramel sweetness followed by notes of vanilla and dark plums as well as a subtle vegetal peatiness. It still smells sweet and inviting.
Palate - The peat smoke has a savoury barbeque note and the sweetness follows. Honey, vanilla, plums, sherry, spices and oak.
finish - Long and spicy. This is well balanced and very inviting.
What's the verdict?
These are interesting whiskies which are very easy to drink. The peated Edited is beautifully balanced so that even those who are unsure of peated expressions may well have their heads turned.
Brilliance is just that…brilliant.
It is hard to choose a favourite and as a group it was a fairly even split. Although on first taste neither appear particularly complex they unfold as you drink them and both were extremely popular. Our verdict is a big thumbs up.
Whether new to Whisky or an old hand these are genuinely pleasant and worth trying.
These are good value for money and for someone looking for something different in a competitive price range, then they should be given serious consideration.
So why us?
So what brought this global corporation all the way from India, to a small rural community in Gloucestershire with a population several times less that the number of people they employ?
We believe it is the passion and enthusiasm of our members… and a drop of good fortune!
Brilliance in non-chill filtered non-peated Indian Single Malt Whisky.
Colour - Pale golden straw
Nose - Warm cereals, rich honey, sea salt as well as a lovely mix of other aromas including vanilla, dried grass and cinnamon.
Palate - Malty cereals with pleasant sweetness honey, vanilla, sea salt and some sweet darker fruits. There is a gentle spice tingle with a hint oak.
Finish - Extremely pleasant and medium long. You are left with a tingle right in the middle of the tongue.
SWC Tasting notes – Edited ABV 46%
This is the lightly peated flagship offering. There are no exact Phenol levels given but it is between 15% - 20%.
Colour - Light golden straw.
Nose - Malted barley, salted caramel sweetness followed by notes of vanilla and dark plums as well as a subtle vegetal peatiness. It still smells sweet and inviting.
Palate - The peat smoke has a savoury barbeque note and the sweetness follows. Honey, vanilla, plums, sherry, spices and oak.
finish - Long and spicy. This is well balanced and very inviting.
What's the verdict?
These are interesting whiskies which are very easy to drink. The peated Edited is beautifully balanced so that even those who are unsure of peated expressions may well have their heads turned.
Brilliance is just that…brilliant.
It is hard to choose a favourite and as a group it was a fairly even split. Although on first taste neither appear particularly complex they unfold as you drink them and both were extremely popular. Our verdict is a big thumbs up.
Whether new to Whisky or an old hand these are genuinely pleasant and worth trying.
These are good value for money and for someone looking for something different in a competitive price range, then they should be given serious consideration.
So why us?
So what brought this global corporation all the way from India, to a small rural community in Gloucestershire with a population several times less that the number of people they employ?
We believe it is the passion and enthusiasm of our members… and a drop of good fortune!
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