PJ Mithuna: The twins seem to be fraternal!

Facts & Figures before we get onto the review: Mithuna (Gemini) is the second edition from the zodiac series released by Paul John, the first being Kanya (Virgo) released in 2018. While the Kanya has mixed reviews over time the Mithuna has a shiny badge over its shoulder – ‘3rd best whisky in the world! – Whisky Bible 2021’. I had done a take on this when there was a furore over this book and the descriptors used by the Author Jim Murray, would suggest a quick read https://smacindia.com/the-twins-take-a-bow-the-hat-drops/

Impressions made, lets move on… or wait… the folks at PJ seem to take their packaging very seriously. As like the first edition of the series the label and detailing are excellent and well done, the colour chosen is very distinct and though unusual it has been presented very well. Even the miniatures come in their own cocoon.

This edition in India has been released as two versions

1. The cask strength (or nearly) version of 58% available only in Goa

2. The second variant bottled at 50% ABV available in multiple states

The second variant being created by PJ to ensure compliance with India legal stipulations of some states which has a capping on the ABV for alcobeverages manufactured in India. In this review I am going to taste both versions and share my thoughts. Now please do remember that I have been an amateur for over 10 years (yes just realized that since 2011 to 2021) and I have a certain fondness to cask strength whiskies; but as per rules of tasting I will go with the lower ABV dram first.

Name: Paul John Mithuna

Distiller: John Distilleries Goa,

India ABV: 50%

Colour: Tawny

Now the colour has me a bit perplexed to be honest; the whisky has been created by maturing it in Virgin Oak and finished in Ex bourbon casks (which is rare nowadays with sherry finished whisky being very popular).

Nose: Hello Jammy! Vanilla dollops with sugar sweetness. I am going to say this, it smells a lot like the profile of another popular distiller from Bangalore India . A gentle layer of Oak with a promise of spice. One of the characters of PJ single malt whiskies that I have observed is the evolution with exposure to air and this one does that rather quickly and dramatically. From super sweet cane sugars to fresh flowers. If you have visited a warehouse which has heavy moisture the air is heady with vapours of the alcohol, soaked wood, wet earth, this whisky has a bit of that on the nose.

Mouth: The first sip has a nice salt rim and surprisingly not as sweet as expected. It has the right viscosity not overtly thick like a sherry bomb which would make it quite heavy but not a light one as well, its got a cling to the tongue.

Finish: There is a flavoured spice, bitters and a mentholated mouthfeel, fresh like peppermint. The virgin Oak casks showing through here. Not overtly complex or layered but a very elegant, it has a rather long finish with the peppermint with bitters carrying it through.

Now for the 58% one (Wrings his hands in glee)

The colour is pretty much the same.

Nose: It’s obviously a pleasure to meet you, thank you very much. That oomph, the layer of honeyed sweetness with vanilla and a woody influence of the virgin oak is all felt in harmony. The 8% bump makes it a bit more expressive on the nose.

Mouth: Juicer? Not really a description I guess but there is an immediate secretion of saliva to meet the dryness of this dram, the salt rim again more evident here, immediately covered by sweetness and the spice and mentholated notes clamouring for space and finally nudging the sweetness away. The spicy character combined with higher ABV maybe a bit of a challenge for palates which are not familiar with high strength whiskies.

Finish: Sucks in the moisture and leaves you with satisfying bitters and mint chutney. Again quite long and great mouthfeel.

With a drop of water: More wildflowers and vegetation and easier on the sweetness of the 50% version the higher ABV one moves a notch on the earthiness and spice.

Now folks in India, please read the review carefully and remember the ground rules, every palate is different, and the review is one individual opinion which is mine. Higher ABV is not always better and I honestly believe that the 50% is not far behind. The higher ABV one It’s got that oomph and boisterous character coupled with elegance (sort of like Pierce Brosnan playing rough, the elegance always shows through ) but all these characters may appear ‘strong’, ‘rough’ & harsh to some of you. So the twins in effect are fraternal and not identical!

Now both versions are for some reason very ‘Indian’ to me, they have something which is not the usual whisky of today. It is indeed for me a quantum leap ahead from its predecessor in the same series and one to have in a blind lineup which would confound the ardent palates in terms of its origin and profile.

This for me is not a mantle piece, it has to be consumed and relished.