Paul John (whisky)

Paul John
Type Indian single malt and single cask whisky
Manufacturer John Distilleries
Country of origin India
Introduced 4 October 2012
Alcohol by volume
  • 46% (single malt)
  • 57% (single cask)
Colour
Ingredients Indian malted barley, Scottish peat
Variants
  • Brilliance
  • Edited
  • Single cask releases
Related products
  • Original Choice
  • Grand Duke
Website pauljohnwhisky.com

Paul John is a brand of Indian single malt and single cask whisky, manufactured by John Distilleries, and launched on 4 October 2012 in London, England.[1] Paul John is made from Indian malted barley and, for some variants, imported Scottish peat, distilled in traditional copper pot stills and then matured in ex-Bourbon American oak casks.

Paul John Single Malt Whisky was first launched in the year 2012 in the United Kingdom . Following the overwhelming response & appreciation from Whisky Connoisseurs and Whisky Lovers in the UK, Paul John Single Malt was introduced all across European & Scandinavian countries where Single Malt whiskies are consumed with a passion. Among the non- European markets, Paul John Single Malt Whisky is available in Australia, Singapore, New Zealand and India. In India, Paul John Single Malt Whisky was successfully launched initially in Goa in the year 2013 followed by the launch in Bangalore in the year 2015.

John Distilleries have aggressive plans to extend the footprint of Paul John Single Malt Whisky in other European markets such as Poland, Spain, Portugal, Greece and a few eastern European countries alongside exploring the US markets in the near future.

History

John Distilleries is based in Bangalore, but its single malt distillery is located in Goa. The distillery has one set of Indian-made[2] copper pot stills (wash and spirit) that can produce 3000 litres daily. Maturation takes place in a climate-controlled underground cellar that has around 10,000 Bourbon barrels.[3] The company had been making blended whisky since its foundation in 1992, but decided to manufacture single malt whisky in 2008[4] in an attempt to enter the premium end of the market. Master distiller Michael John (no relation to founder Paul John) chose to use Indian ingredients in the first bottling, to give the whisky characteristics of its country of origin. The wash he created had an abv of 5%, lower than the standard 8% for most whisky. This creates a sweeter flavour in the final product. The whisky is put in the casks at 55% abv, but the alcoholic strength increases as it ages due to the heat, giving the final product an abv of 57%.[5] Goa features a tropical monsoon climate, and being in the tropical zone and near the Arabian Sea, has a hot and humid climate for most of the year. The month of May is the hottest, seeing day temperatures of over 35°C (95°F) coupled with high humidity. The monsoon rains arrive by early June and last till late September. Goa has a short winter season between mid-December and February. These months are marked by nights of around 21 °C (68 °F) and days of around 28 °C (84 °F) with moderate amounts of humidity. The hot weather makes whisky mature faster in India than it does in Europe or the United States. The fraction lost to evaporation during aging, known as the angels' share, is also higher in India, at 10–12% per year, than in Scotland, where the annual evaporative loss is about 2%.[6] This leaves a hogshead with only 150 bottles left in it, after three years, compared to around 350 in a Scotland.[5] Michael John describes it this way, "Whisky matured at these temperatures simply cannot be aged for the kind of time expected with Scotch, even trying to mature our whisky for just 10 years would leave barely a bottle of liquid in the barrel. Fortunately, the heat actually speeds up the maturation process considerably. As a result, whisky that has been matured for just 4-5 years – as is the case with Paul John Edited and Brilliance – is equivalent to a Scotch that has been aged for around 15 years".[7]

The first bottling of Paul John whisky, branded "Paul John Single Cask 161 Whisky", was officially launched on 4 October 2012 at the Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge, London, England, by Mr. Sanjay Paul - CEO, ALCOBEV Communications UK.[1] It was a non-peated whisky single cask whisky, made from Indian malted barley distilled twice in traditional copper pot stills, aged for an unspecified period in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks[8] freshly emptied in Kentucky.[9] It was bottled at cask strength: 57% abv and 150 bottles were made from the cask.[10] It sold exclusively through the Whisky Exchange[8] priced at £60 for a 700 ml (70 cl) bottle. Whisky connoisseur Jim Murray gave it 94.5 points and the "Liquid Gold" award in his Whisky Bible.[10][5][4] The brand's second release, also in 2012, was "Paul John Single Cask 163 Whisky" having 57% abv and priced at £60.[11] Following the single cask release, Paul John released two single whiskies in May 2013.[12] They were branded Paul John Single Malt Whisky Brilliance and Paul John Single Malt Whisky Edited. The company plans to focus on single malts, while also releasing occasional single casks and are also planning special releases.[13]

Variants

Paul John Single Malt Whisky has 4 variants, viz. Brilliance, Edited, Select Cask Classic and Select Cask Peated.

Brilliance and Edited Brilliance is made from un-peated Indian malted barley, aged in ex-bourbon American oak casks[12] and is bottled unchillfiltered at 46% abv. It has a pale rose gold colour.[14] Edited uses about 15%-20% peated spirit in the vatting.[15] It has a warm rose gold colour[14] and is a combination of unpeated and a small amount of peated Indian malted barley.[7] Peat is imported from Scotland, preferably Islay, and used for malting some of the grain, giving a phenol level of about 20-25ppm. Edited, like Brilliance is also matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks and bottled unchillfiltered at 46% abv.[13] The whiskies have no age statement, but are believed to be not older than four or five years.[14][16] Brilliance and Edited received 94.5 and 96.5 points, respectively, in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible.[12]

Select Cask Classic Explore tropical Goa in every sip of the Select Cask Classic. With an Alcohol by volume (ABV) of 55.2%, the lush freshness of this Single Malt envelops your senses from the very beginning. To give you this rich experience, we’ve matured it in selectively chosen cask profiles and bottled it without chill filtration, at cask strength. Relish the tropical rush, Goan style.

Select cask Peated One never tires of Goa. From exploring its various personalities, its past, its present, its sheer decadence or perky cheer. For the true explorer, Goa always has a surprise tucked up its sleeve. Much like the Paul John Select Cask Peated with Alcohol by volume (ABV) of 55.5%, This Single Malt astonishes even a seasoned whisky aficionado. Unexpected flavors balance each other, offering the perfect tipple. It is a wholesome Goan experience, packed into every sip.

Bold Bold mirrors the heady spirit of Goa, with all its boisterous exuberance. The first wave splashes a dizzy array of Manuka honey, prickly spice and bourbonesque red liquorice. Every sip lives up to its lore. A melt in the mouth malt resides easily, allowing the onrush of a second wave which coats a thick, cloudy, smoke, leaving trails of dry molasses, peaty soot and a tad degree of copper, making an impact on its finish. The dazzling smoked mocha weaves in a unique dimension to the busy, delicate, and intricate spices, in true carnival style. It has an Alcohol by volume (ABV) of 46%,

Bold truly reflects Goa: free spirited, fun filled and with all dimensions of pleasure.

Single casks

The first bottling of Paul John whisky, branded "Paul John Single Cask 161 Whisky", was officially launched on 4 October 2012 at the Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge, London, England by Mr. Sanjay Paul - CEO, ALCOBEV Communications UK.[1] It was a non-peated single cask whisky, made from Indian malted barley distilled twice in traditional copper pot stills, aged for an unspecified period in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks[8] freshly emptied in Kentucky.[9] It was bottled at cask strength: 57% abv and 150 bottles were made from the cask.[10] It sold exclusively through the Whisky Exchange[8] priced at £60 for a 700 ml (70 cl) bottle. Whisky connoiseur Jim Murray gave it 94.5 points and the "Liquid Gold" award in his Whisky Bible.[10][5][4] The brand's second release, also in 2012, was "Paul John Single Cask 163 Whisky" having 57% abv and priced at £60.[11]

Awards

Jim Murray’s Ratings for all the variants are as follows:

Paul John Single Malts Variants Ratings
Brilliance 94.5
Edited 96.5
Select Cask Classic 95
Select Cask Peated 88

The other prestigious Awards won are as follows:

INTERNATIONAL WINE AND SPIRIT COMPETITION 2014

The Spirit Business Award 2014

Asian Single Malt Premium Category: Brilliance - Gold Edited - Master

Asian Single Malt Premium Category: Select Cask Classic. – Master Select Cask Peated. – Master

NEW WORLD DISTILLER OF THE YEAR 2014

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Indian whisky in scotch's back yard". Drinks International. 2012-10-05. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  2. ↑ "A Drink With… Paul John, John Distilleries". Thespiritsbusiness.com. 2012-10-17. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  3. ↑ Roger Beecroft. "Michael John D'Souza chatting to Paul Angels whisky club". Angelswhiskyclub.com. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  4. 1 2 3 Matt C (2012-11-04). "New release - Paul John Single Cask #161". Whiskyforeveryone.blogspot.in. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Paul John Whisky: India's latest single malt". Miss Whisky. 2012-10-17. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  6. ↑ "High Spirits". business.outlookindia.com. 2012-02-18. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  7. 1 2 "Paul John Indian Singe Malts". The Cocktail Lovers. 2013-06-04. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Paul John - Indian Single Malt Whisky media". Pauljohnwhisky.com. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  9. 1 2 "Paul John - Indian Single Malt Whisky". Pauljohnwhisky.com. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Olly Wehring (2012-10-03). "John Distilleries' Paul John Single Cask 161". Just-drinks.com. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  11. 1 2 "Top 10 Whiskies Reviewed in Whisky Advocate's Summer Issue". Whisky Advocate Blog. 2013-05-13. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  12. 1 2 3 Olly Wehring (2013-05-15). "Paul John Brilliance, Edited Indian whiskies". Just-drinks.com. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  13. 1 2 "Tasing Notes: Paul John Brilliance and Edited". Blog.thewhiskyexchange.com. 2013-05-21. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  14. 1 2 3 "Paul John Single Malt Indian Whisky - "Goan" great". Dramaticwhisky.me. 2013-05-17. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  15. ↑ Graeme+ (2013-05-29). "Paul John – Edited and Brilliance". Edinburgh Whisky Blog. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  16. ↑ "Indian Single Malt comes to the UK". WhiskyExperts. 2013-05-15. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
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