Wonderful single malt from the Paul John in India. It was released as part of their Zodiac Range, Mithuna being India's counterpart to Gemini. Matured in first-fill American oak and finished in first-fill ex-bourbon casks and bottled at a substantial ABV of 58%.
Floral and fruity with bold toasted oak, baking spices, and bourbon barrel vanilla.
Oily texture with rich, dried stone fruits and soaked sultanas, wafts of creamy coconut cross with cardamom and oak spice.
Rich figs and sweet dates with dark cocoa, more vanilla, and lingering oak tannins.
There is lot of excitement and inquisitiveness about Mithuna Single Malt which is the second whisky from the brand Paul John’s famous Zodiac range Mithuna being the Indian counterpart of Gemini ! It first came in news in 2020 when it was announced as the Worlds 3rd finest whisky by Murray. The most interesting review about this whisky I read was by Kathryn. I got it’s first taste this year at the distillery courtesy the Master distiller who created it. Today after couple of months I am tasting it to understand the nuances and complexities. This is not the first whisky to be matured in Virgin American Oak casks, Deanston comes to my mind as I have tasted it , but it’s probably the first to be finished in Ex Bourbon first fill cask. It also reminds me of West Cork an Irish whiskey which is matured the reversed way. The colour of Mithuna looks like it’s a Sherry bomb, but it’s the work of first fill virgin oak casks, probably heavily charred to impart more Vanilla and oak spices which is inhancing the woody oak tones to the malt. The smell of sweet caramelized Vanilla , sweet fruity notes, leaves to think that it’s going to be sweet. As I taste, the sweetness of honey and spices are prominent, some zesty tanginess with tobacco. To me it was fennel and lot of Wood or tannic effect. The effect of Bourbon can’t be missed because of the whisky finished in first fill Bourbon casks. The long sweet finish is complex and it feels like a Sherry finished whisky. So to compare I pulled out the Paul John Oloroso to taste the difference. Once side by side the tastes were evident but Mithuna will pass as a Sherry finished whisky to lot. At 58% it’s a treat to drink. By Pushpendra jhala @ whiskywhiskeylovers (insta)
