Paul John Brilliance Indian Single Malt Whisky
Cask Info: Matured in ex-Bourbon casks.
ABV | Chill Filtration | Natural Color | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
46% | No | No Info | $55 |
Nose: It’s gently sweet with a hint of floral freshness. Oatmeal biscuits, sultanas, cocoa powder, orange marmalade, pineapple, and toasted coconut flakes. The smell reminds of me the original Ricola cough drop, syrupy and slightly herbal. Time reveals a touch of baking spices and sesame paste.
Palate: The mouthfeel is moderately oily. If honey oil is a thing, that’s probably what it tastes like. As sweetness subsides, I get lots of spices — cardamom, clove, ginger — with vanilla in the back.
Finish: Medium with a satisfying chili pepper tang and slight bitterness toward the end.
Final Thought: I still remember the story told by Paul John’s sales representative years ago at Whisky Live Singapore. The company didn’t release its single malt whisky in India until it had gained some international recognition, because people back home may not be willing to pay for a locally made whisky. Well, don’t judge a whisky by its origin. This whisky may come from Goa, but it definitely has some Highland qualities. It’s approachable without being boring. In fact, I always have a bottle of this in my collection, just to show people that there’re good whiskies being made outside the “Old World”.
Girl with Cask Strength Score: 86/100.
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