Paul John Peated Select Cask

So, I'm a peat lover and really have most of the common 'go-to' bottlings from Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Talisker, Lagavulin, Caol Ila, together with those An Noc, Big Peat, Smokehead, etc, etc.
And compared to all of those bottles, which I've at least finished 3-4 each myself, in my time even contemplating this Indian whisky was just a little more than a joke - being of a Indian descent myself.
And this bottling is just right up there.
I'm not one of those 'it reminds me of fresh grass cuttings on a fresh Wednesday morning' descriptors.
The whisky is perfectly balanced with enough smoke to satisfy from the first whiff, and rounds of with a pleasant sweetness that carries the smoke into a finish with a decent enough linger between sips.
I've since bought a few bottles after that first one, and highly recommend this whisky.
Oh and that lovely sleek slender bottle in a magnetic box is classy that matches what the contents deliver.

19th January 2022

Nice big bold flavours without being to overwhelming, good hit from the alcohol but still a decent balance. As others have said not as big a peat hit as some of the Islay's but variety is the spice of life. Cannot compare it with the Amrut as I have not had a peaty one but all in all a very nice whiskey.

I all honesty I will be unlikely to buy it again as in this price range there are a multitude of whiskeys I want to try but if my wife got me another one (she bought this one) I would not be in the least bit perturbed.

Try it for yourself :-)

2nd October 2020

A big dose of unbalanced smoke and that was it. Amrut's peated single malt is light years ahead of this!

31st December 2019

Not surprised that you have sold out of this . This is the 1 st Indian "whisky " that I have tried & although it comes in a posy box it is quite Superb IF you like peated whisky . Even if you do not like peated whisky this is worth trying

31st December 2018

Appearance is dark gold with and orangey hew. Thick waxy oily legs from the high natural grain oils of the 6 ROW barley. Nose is deep, rich, intense, spices, clove cinammon, nutmeg, slightly nutty, almond and walnut oil. Apricots, peaches, kiwi Mangoes, Passion Fruit, Papaya fruit, but low key.
Since someone else made the comparison, this is a deeper, richer, more intense malt than Amrut, greater complexity. Half the barrels are matured in subterranean climate controlled callers, creating prolonged retention of the spirit within the cask, consequently prolonged interaction between cask and spirit, creating greater intensity in depth and flavour. Palate is excellent balance between barley protein sweetness and the spiciness which offsets and counters it. Full body oily, waxy. Note of bitterness near the end of the palate from the higher protein content of the 6 Row. Finish is prolonged and deep in the palate, right at the back of the tongue.
The peat is there but more subtle than in the Islays. A truly excellent malt in which the distillery has paid the premium in lower yeild for clever distillation, production and maturation.

10th November 2018

No contest with Amrut period

5th August 2017

Theres a reason this has just won awards. Love it

12th April 2017

Very poor cousin to the Amrut bottlings, which are VASTLY superior (in my opinion). You really get the feeling that Amrut are trying to do something different, while Paul John are producing clicheed whiskies with no real character of their own.

10th July 2016

First time in Singapore at Quaich Bar (grand copthorne hotel). This is one of the best whisky found around. Haven't really found it elsewhere.

15th April 2016

An Outstanding Libation! 4 1/2 stars out of 5, Indescribably delicious, memorable flavoring leaving a lasting impression of "I've never tasted anything like this before"!
History about me: I'm a Novice, went to a Scotch tasting for the first time last summer (2015) in Wash. D.C.; the varieties offered were Aberlour, Oban, Balvenie and Yamazki 12 yr. Single Malt (SM). The pours were in plastic containers (cups)...the overhead ceiling fans were on blowing down onto the crowd and the drinks, which in my opinion oxidized the scotches just setting out at the different tasting stations...but hands down for me was the Yamazki 12 yr. SM.

My Recent M of M Purchases - Nikka W. from the Barrell (Japanese), Paul John W (Peated-Indian), Yamazaki Reserve (Japanese) and Nikka All Malt (Japanese).

Rating - Of the four scotches, Nikka fr. the Barrell was number one for me. However, my number two, was Paul John. It's simply to die for (but don't do it, live on and enjoy the scotch). The "nose" by far for me as a Novice, stands alone. When you first whiff the aroma, your olfactory glands and brain reverberate saying "Whoah, what is that"...oak, chemical, what? The aroma captivates and assaults your nose like a Muhammed Ali right hook coming at you from out of nowhere, prompting you to say, "Where'd the hell did that come from". But I do agree with the Chaps at M of M (MoM)...the nose is very earthy, not sure about the salt though. As for the palate, MoM is "spot on" BBQ Smoke" all the way. Relative to the Finish, there is something about the flavor, quite can't put my finger on it, that lingers on your tongue long after you've finished the dram, shot, snifter or whatever your choice of drinking glass is. Just do me a favor, "no plastic cups" please. Use an acceptable drinking glass and always drink responsibly.

27th February 2016