The twins take a bow & the hat drops!

The whisky world is again abuzz with activity, it’s that time of the year when awards and debates around them take precedence over the whisky themselves!

Whisky bible is an annual release by Jim Murray since 2003 and is one of the most popular books on whisky worldwide. Before anyone jumps the gun, I am aware of the raging debates about the popularity of the book and the author, but in my view; it remains one of the most popular books on whisky ratings today. My views are largely colored by the influence in the country I am in (India), and he is certainly an influencer who has the potential to change market dynamics out here. It may well be due to the relative ignorance of others in the industry or the very disbelief that a whisky (consumption of alcohol is considered sin) can have a book around it.

So, before I dwell into the ratings and viewpoints of the book, congratulations to the team of Paul John for its success on Mithuna. Paul John was the second entrant (New world) in the arena of Indian single malt whisky producers. Ever since its launch in 2012 Paul John has been consistently compared to Amrut which was the pioneer for the category. Paul John has received recognitions world over from different ratings forums and groups over the years, Mithuna being adjudicated as the third best whisky in the world is recognition on par with their predecessors who had the very same award bestowed on them from the same man in 2010 for ‘Ámrut Fusion’.

Paul John and Amrut are excellent distilleries and have different strengths in their armoury. Having the privilege of tasting sublime whiskies from both stables, I can confidently state that they continue to outperform each other in many aspects of the whisky experience. Paul John coming second only by the timeline, has grown in leaps and bounds by engaging with their customers worldwide. Their tag line of “winning the world one dram at a time” is an apt motto for the brand.

The whisky itself – Paul John Mithuna

• Non chill-filtered
• Unpeated, 58% ABV
• Matured in American virgin oak casks and finished in ex-bourbon casks.
• NAS – No age Statement

Mithuna by Paul John, second release of the Paul John Zodiac series, is named after the Indian counterpart of the third Zodiac sign Gemini. The predecessor Kanya (Virgo) was awarded the best Asian whisky of the year 2018 by Jim Murray.

The brands official notes are presented below.

Hues of old oak and sophisticated aromas of liquorice with gentle beeswax lead to a luxuriant delivery of ulmo honey on crisp toast, and tender notes of vanilla. Chewy flavours of coffee mocha, orange peel and delicate spice float on active tannins while gentle oils enjoy gists of dark cocoa tones. The finish is gratifyingly long and complex with multi-toned sugars and delicate honeys.

Renowned for contradictive strengths, the characteristics of Gemini are epitomized by this Indian single malt as mesmerizing layers of austere, dry tannins are challenged in equal measure by resplendent sugars and mocha on delicate oils.

So, it’s an unpeated whisky at near cask strength matured in American Oak and finished in ex-bourbon which sounds quite good as knowing the distillate of Paul John (quite sweet) would be well offset by the dryness of the American oak. But this is yet to be tasted for me to rate the whisky and I will look forward to the release in November.

Now to the raging debate across whisky forums which is around the tasting notes used by the author; objectifying women and the act of coitus. Whisky tastes and tasting expressions are very personal, if the author uses innuendos which revolve around lovemaking then it’s his choice. Like I always caution enthusiasts that embark on the whisky expedition, it is a thin line between opinionating and influencing; the book should be treated as it is – Opinion of Jim! It’s your choice of picking it up. Does it mean it is not offensive? No! Most certainly the raunchiness of the descriptions has been getting bolder and this backlash was coming.

While the women in the industry and outside of it are having a go at the man, what I am appalled by is the knee jerk reaction of brands that are condoning the same ‘after’ it has been pointed out. Does this matter have a surprise element? I think not. The author in his books and events has often courted controversy on the same subject and it should not come as a surprise to anyone. If you just picked up the occasion on behest of an article and the media uproar then sorry you are quite late.

I stopped referring to the Whisky Bible since my initial years of entering the whisky world when I realised that the opinion of the author did not agree with mine. Do I resent his choice of words? Yes, most certainly I find it distasteful. But is he alone? No. Just browse through any social media handles and I can assure you that there is a healthy dose of voyeurism and sex served up with bourbon or scotch of your choice. The intent is not to defend the author or his misgivings, but crucifixion after he has been called out is just being the mob. Some of the brands in the melee have benefited with what this man has said and done over the years and now it dawns on them that his literature reeks of sexism? I find that hard to believe.

Why am I sharing this perspective? Back to my homeland; I will definitely pay attention to a true influencer who manages to sway choices from the mainstay brands and makes the enthusiasts explore the whisky world even if I do not agree with their ratings.

How many people in India would know of Amrut Fusion before it was put on the map by Jim in 2010?  Yamzaki which was a practically an unknown entity is now a sought-after bottle post the 2013 Sherry cask. And laugh as you may but even the infamous Crown Royal was popularized to an extent. So, I am not going to turn away from facts and muddle them with hearsay. I know having worked alongside the industry for the period he has he most certainly knows a thing or two about whisky, he has wielded the marketing baton better than most reviewers in the  industry which has kept him ahead in terms of readership (When it comes to the casual reader or the ones entering the whisky world). He is most certainly a person who has steered the whisky world in my domicile. Does that make it fair? NO. Does that mean I have to agree with his choice of whisky or the way he describes them? NO. Does that give me the right to taint the man and accuse him of accepting favours in lieu of ratings? NO. So, please give it the necessary thought before you decide to give him the stick or the carrot, and if you do go with the former please add one from me, just to get the man the reprimand he deserves.

So, I will eagerly await Mithuna to taste and will not let this man’s slip up be the cause for me to build opinions about the whisky itself. The passion for the drink has prevailed always and 2020 has far worse reasons to be forgotten rather than wallow and ponder over descriptive choices.