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Paul John Classic Select Cask

Paul John Jingleheimer Schmidt

5 893

@talexanderReview by @talexander

1st Mar 2017

1

  • Nose
    23
  • Taste
    24
  • Finish
    23
  • Balance
    23
  • Overall
    93

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

When it comes to Indian whisky, Amrut gets all the accolades, but this distillery is really catching up when it comes to the quality of its single malts. Paul John established his distillery in 1992, distilled his first single malt in 2007 and produced his first bottling in 2012. Despite a temperature-controlled cellar, the heat (the distillery is on the tropical coast of Goa, while the barley grows on the foothills of the Himalayas) causes the expected fast maturation and heavy volume of angel's share.

Their Select Cask Classic is not single cask, but is blended from whiskies matured in ex-bourbon casks. It is non-age-statement. I purchased this bottle at auction, and it's been open for a few months.

The colour is medium brownish gold. Malty on the nose, with dates, brine, beef broth, charred oak, blood orange and light maple syrup. Quite spicy with cloves and cinnamon. A touch of mint. Classic bourbon cask notes of vanilla, honey and toffee. A drop of water increases the density of the beef broth, as if it's been reducing during a heavy boil. Extremely complex, and exquisite.

On the palate there is dark fruits, lime zest and deep oak. The alcohol stings the lips! Baked apples. Grapefruit. Fennel. Salt and pepper. Water makes it hotter and spicier. Enormously complex, rich and very satisfying.

The finish is rich and long with cloves, oak and cumin. This is incredible stuff. The complexity is enormous, and yet so harmonized you can pick out the individual influences on the whisky (bourbon cask, char, fruity spirit, briny environment, etc). And you really don't need to add water, it's pretty easy to drink without it. I really need to find more whiskies from this distillery!

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8 comments

@GoodVintage
GoodVintage commented

Good review, must try this

7 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

Great review, @talexander. I was tickled to see some Paul John whisky finally become available in my region recently. It is not inexpensive, but for top quality it will be worth the cost.

7 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

@talexander, I don't own any Paul John yet, but I am very eager to taste some.

7 years ago 0

@Alexsweden
Alexsweden commented

I read your and made sure I sampled this at an expo I was at this weekend. What stood out to me was some dominating notes of pine. Anyone else get that?

7 years ago 0

@Alexsweden
Alexsweden commented

I almost thought it was a rye

7 years ago 0

@Robert99
Robert99 commented

@talexander Very interesting review and a bit surprising because except for cumin it doesn't sound very Indian. But it sounds very good.

7 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

@Alexsweden I had a bit again yesterday and I don't recall any pine notes on my end.

7 years ago 0

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