‘Thank you’ would fall short to express our gratitude to all of you: our members, whisky production houses, retail stores and partners. It’s been a great year considering what has transpired.
We look forward to the next year with glee and wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year!
Consume responsibly and please do NOT drink and drive.
Name: Mithuna
Where it comes from: Paul John Distilleries, Goa
Paul John Whisky
ABV: 58% & 50% (Two variants)
Casks: Ex Bourbon finished in Virgin Oak
Specialty: The innovation bug seems to have caught on and it’s done in style! The second release of the constellation series from PJ is an exceptional dram matured in an unusual manner of finishing in Virgin Oak. With dollops of sweetness and ooph in this whisky this will jolt ones consciousness with poise and confidence that Indian craft whiskies have truly arrived.
Tasting notes (From the distillery):
Nose: Aromas of liquorice, gentle beeswax with ulmo honey on crisp toast and tender notes of vanilla.
Palate: Coffee mocha, orange peel, delicate spice on active tannins with gentle oils and dark cocoa notes.
Finish: Long and complex with multi-toned sugars and delicate honey.
Why it should be a part of your celebrations: Keeping aside the fact that this whisky was rated the third best whisky of the world in 2021 by whisky writer Jim Murray. The complexity on this whisky will astound you. From the exquisite packaging and detailing on the label that Paul John is known for this whisky will score highly on many parameters. The high ABV gives the whisky a zing and a couple of drops of water will open up this award-winning dram. Not something that we would usually say but a bit of palate experience is needed to truly enjoy this whisky.
Last new year’s eve we shared a sample of this (Fusion X) with all those who won the impromptu contest of best new year celebration post. This time we are going to push the limits and give you more time to prepare so get your cameras out and line up the whiskies!
All you have to do is tag us in your celebratory posts or share them in our FB group or just share them on the messenger with us! Winners will be picked through a lucky dip!
Any guesses what we are prepared to crack open and share with the winners?
Name: Oloroso Select Cask
Where it comes from: Paul John Distilleries, Goa.
Paul John Whisky
ABV: 48%
Casks: Ex-Bourbon finished in Oloroso wine casks
Specialty: A sherry bomb! While the technicalities of nomenclature (Sherry – a wine made in Jerez) refrains from it being placed in the sherry category of whiskies, we believe this will get you as close to a Sherry bomb in India. A style that will make you wonder right from the color if this is whisky indeed?
Tasting notes (From the distillery):
Nose: Peach, apricot, and light notes of molasses and blood orange.
Taste: Soft and sweet, with nutty chocolate and Melton Hunt cake.
Finish: Long, intense, and sweet with delicious heavy spices imbibed from the Oloroso casks, a dash of coffee mocha, and sumptuous dark chocolate.
Why it should be a part of your celebrations: A whisky with a heavy influence of the casks and of the wines that they held prior to the whisky being matured. Relish the delights of dry fruits and nuts that whisky presents on a platter. Patience and a couple of water drops will be a rewarding experience
Name: Intermediate Sherry
Where it comes from: Amrut Distilleries, Bengaluru.
ABV: 46%
Casks: Ex-Bourbon, Sherry, and back to Ex-Bourbon
Specialty: An innovative winner from the distillery. This whisky is produced by sandwiching the maturation process in sherry casks for a period in between the bourbon casks. In many ways, this is a great introduction to the nuances of a sherry cask matured whisky at the same time not being overwhelmed by a sherry bomb.
Tasting notes (From the distillery):
Nose: Instead of the usual biscuit aroma, we now get moist cake. And my word: is it fruity and spicy!! Love the freshly waxed oak floor, too. Brain-explodingly complex and multi-layered with one of the most intriguing sherry-style-bourbon-style marriages on the market;
Taste: Cracking delivery and entirely unique in form. The structure is decidedly oak-based but acts as no more than a skeleton from which the juicy sultana and spices drape. Salivating, too, as the barley kicks in powerfully. But the licorice-orangey-honeycomb bourbon theme quietly shapes the flavor profile; the spices pulse and glow;
Finish: Quite a chunk of natural caramel quietens the more exuberant characteristics; long and elegant.
Why it should be a part of your celebrations: With specialty whiskies making an entry into the Indian market this should be on top of your list, this variant makes only guest appearances at retail shelves and is gone before you realize. A whisky that will let one taste the sherry cask influences maintaining a lovely balance with the malt.
Name: Bold
Where it comes from: Paul John Distilleries, Goa
ABV: 46%
Casks: Ex-Bourbon
Specialty: Now that we are clearly in the peat territory, the duo of Paul John & Amrut is likely to be trading spots! The Bold from Paul John is a progression from the Edited – from mildly peated to a full-blown peated whisky. Significantly different, this whisky offers a spicy & heady mix with peat. Still not boggy or dirty peat, this whisky tangoes with spice and smoke, a feisty one.
Tasting notes (From the distillery):
Nose: After the slightest whiff of smoke, a dizzying array of Manuka honey, prickly spice, and bourboneque red licorice take over.
Palate: This melt-in-the-mou
Finish: Bold has a light finish with a tinge of copper slowly making its presence known. You can also sense a gorgeous smoked mocha shaped by delicate and intricate spices.
Why it should be a part of your celebrations: A proper winter whisky, is a significantly different profile in peat with dryness and spice. A dram packed with action on your palate may keep the taste buds busy. If smoky whiskies are your thing, PJ Bold offers you a perfect sipping companion.
Name: Amrut Peated Single Malt Whisky
Where it comes from: Amrut Distilleries
ABV: 42.8%
Casks: Ex-Bourbon
Specialty: As we run through the different single malt whiskies from India, we now are in the bolder territory. Apart from the gentle and softer whiskies, distillers in the sub-continent produce some very classy smoky drams. Peated whiskies have distinct smoke as a part of the flavor profile and usually add to the complexity of the whisky. This peated whisky from Amrut provides a different dimension in the category. With the sweet distillate profile providing a wrap to the clean Highland peat, this whisky is a grand entry to peated Indian whiskies.
Tasting notes (From the distillery):
Nose: Unusually dry peat; not dissimilar to peat reek absorbed by an old leather armchair; a hint of citrus, too
Taste: Despite the nose, the immediate sensation is one of being caressed by molasses sugar and then a ratching up of the peat notes. As they get more forceful, so the experience becomes that little bit drier and spicier, though not without the molasses refusing to give way.
Finish: You can tell the quality of the distillate and the barrels it has been matured in by the crystalline depth to the finish. Everything is clear on the palate and the butterscotch vanillas wrap the phenols for a comfortable and clean finale
Why it should be a part of your celebrations: With the winter chills, a smoky and robust dram is a preferred choice for evening celebrations. A pairing with a barbeque or a bonfire, this whisky will etch itself in your mind. Allowing the whisky to air in the glass for around 5-6 minutes will allow it to open up those phenols.
Borrowing that tag line from something that is paired with whisky in today’s digital world.
Glenfiddich
Does that name sound familiar? No? Then I am sure we have an answer to the question ‘are we alone in the universe?’
Christmas musings wouldn’t be complete if we don’t remember the brand that evokes recognition from almost every whisky lover across the world.
History brief: In the year 1887, on Christmas day the stills of Glenfiddich produced the first new make of the legendary distillery from Dufftown. Let that statement settle in for a bit and imagine the emotions running through the proud owner’s head. William Grant a former distillery manager in the neighboring Mortlach is the man behind this iconic whisky.
Right from being available on most bar counters and one of the most recognized brands in the alcobev industry, William Grant and the organization have created many examples of the vision ahead of time.
• Distillery was built raising money from the immediate family the amount of 800£!
• When prohibition hit the US, it was one of the very distilleries to increase production capacity
• One of the first distilleries to have an onsite cooperage
• The iconic triangular bottle launched in 1956
• One of the first distilleries to introduce a concept of visitors center back in 1960
• When most of Scotland was producing spirits to cater to the success of blends, Glenfiddich created niche for itself and the category of Single Malts.
I can go on with the list of accomplishments
About the brand today – Yes, many of us have moved on from the whisky that now we term as ‘entry-level single malt’ firstly it’s not! But even with that skewed logic just imagine the millions of amateurs who have threaded this path starting with this malted spirit. It still is perhaps the most widely available single malt scotch available across the globe and vies for a spot for the largest selling single malt with The Glenlivet.
The article is titled ‘Elegance is an attitude for a reason; from the classy ads that the brand creates, it’s brand ambassadors who personify the brand’s style, the portfolio of whiskies, and the way the brand has silently been making steady strides in innovative offerings. In my early days of whisky edutainment, I was ranting about brands such as Glenfiddich moving towards NAS when I was gently nudged by @Mark who asked me how many variants did Glenfiddich actually stop production to be replaced by NAS whiskies? My ignorance shone through like a beacon. With so many brands clamoring for space I have never seen the brand drop standards or get into duels & debates. How many brands do you imagine would be able to maintain that level of decor and commitment after attaining the pinnacle of sales and dominance?
While we seek higher complexity and whiskies that offer something & cater to our personal preferences, a moment to salute this brand with a dram wouldn’t be a bad idea would it?
I wanted to post this bit of information for it to be an information titbit for malt lovers but my dear friend The Whisky Advisor stole my thunder by posting about Glenfiddich & had the foresight to get a crisp video ready for the day! Wonderful to see that we have the same thoughts! Merry Christmas
Name: Paul John Edited
Where it comes from: Paul John Distillery, Goa
Paul John Whisky
ABV: 46%
Casks: Ex-Bourbon
Specialty: A very artisanal single malt whisky from the distillery. Created by a vatting of peated and unpeated whiskies in ex-bourbon casks. The whisky maintains the hallmark of the distillery with rich honeyed and sweet notes but is bolstered with gentle clean peat. This whisky is made from 6 rows Indian barley.
Tasting notes (From the distillery):
Nose: Honey and cocoa are laced with a hint of smokiness and a shot of espresso. A deeper whiff reveals fruity fragrances.
Palate: The grassy flavours of barley show up first, but gently make way for subtle peat notes. They slowly dissolve and pave the way for a rush of mint and mocha.
Finish: The finish is long and drawn out. You can sense a hint of spice and chocolate mint as it ends on gentle peat notes.
Why it should be a part of your celebrations: The next whisky on our list is from Paul John and it has good reason to be here. We call this whisky as a ‘gentle introduction to peat.’ For those who are likely to be put off with robust smokey drams, this whisky may perhaps change perspective. Ideal for those who are exploring flavour profiles in whisky.
Name: Rampur Double Cask
Where it comes from: Rampur Distillery (Radico Khaitan) Rampursinglemal
ABV: 45%
Casks: Double Cask (Ex-Bourbon, European Oak Sherry)
Specialty: A distillery that mostly exports its single malt whisky, this is a variant available in a few markets of India (Delhi). While there is not too much detail about the distillery itself and its maturation methods, this whisky provides a unique experience of ‘Lichee’ notes on the nose and palate. A light and delicate whisky, which is quite preferred by those who prefer their malts easygoing.
Tasting notes (From the distillery):
Nose: Full-bodied aroma of tropical fruits, smooth malty tones, and oaky notes from double oak-wood barrels create an aurora of flavors.
Palate: Lustful elegance of sweet fruits; riding on rich sherry for a blissful nirvana.
Finish: Tantalisingly long, lingering, and generous.
Why it should be a part of your celebrations: If you are looking for a whisky that is ‘different’, this is a frontrunner. Quite different in its style, this whisky will give you loads of fruits. A good choice for celebrations starting early in the day.
Name: Paul John Brilliance
Where it comes from: Paul John Distillery in Goa, India Paul John Whisky
ABV: 46%
Cask: Ex-Bourbon
Specialty: While Amrut created a flutter with the Fusion, the whiskies from Paul John proved to the world that this category was not a flash in the pan. It is a whisky that will be lapped up by those who prefer a rich & luxurious dram.
Tasting notes (From the distillery):
Nose: The Demerara sugars give off a whiff of sweet fragrances, with a hint of cinnamon, a dash of honey, and faint spices.
Palate: Sweet and spice and all things nice, make this Single Malt. The honey-like smoothness is offset by the crunchy-bar-lik
Finish: Brilliance has a smooth and beautifully relaxed finish, with a hint of mild spices and deep intense vanilla. Why it should be a part of your celebrations: A wonderfully rounded whisky that will allow you to observe the malt from the 6-row barley. It can be enjoyed neat, with a sliver of ice and some wonderful cocktails.
Name: Solan Gold
Where it comes from : Mohan Meakin Ltd, Solan Brewery, Solan, H.P.
ABV: 42%
Casks: No details on the label/bottle
Specialty: If you have been reading stories from distilleries in India about using ‘water from the Himalayas’, ‘Matured in foothills of the Himalayas’, etc., this may be the only distillery that will ring true in those statements. Coming from the brand that makes the very popular Old Monk rum, this distillery is the true pioneer in India. A distillery with a rich history and a wonderful story – if you have not heard about this, it’s time to brush up on the facts.
Tasting notes (From the distillery):
When we said that this organization does not believe in marketing we were not joking! Try scrounging the net for official notes from this whisky and you will find none from the manufacturers. They trust you to create your own.
Why it should be a part of your celebrations: This is a whisky that will surprise many and will get the conversation going about discovering a true Indian gem. A light whisky with medium complexity, this dram will take you back in time where whisky-making was a simple affair with little or no marketing. A piece of history in your whisky collection.