Paul John is one of India’s most renowned single malt whisky producers. It is celebrated for elevating Indian whisky to an international level with award-winning craft expressions. Below is a brief history of the distillery, along with tasting notes on its core range of Indian single malt whiskies.
A Brief History
Paul P. John, a businessman from Bangalore, founded John Distilleries in 1996. Initially, John Distilleries specialized in Indian whiskies and brandy for the local market. Its top-selling product was the popular Original Choice whisky.
Recognizing the increasing worldwide demand for premium single malts, Paul John built a modern single malt distillery on the sunny coast of Goa. Production began in 2008.
Goa’s hot, humid tropical climate speeds up the whisky’s aging process, producing intense, richly flavored spirits in a shorter time. Paul John sources six-row barley from northern India, uses copper pot stills, and experiments with both peated and unpeated styles. The peat used for their smoky expressions is imported from Scotland.
Paul John single malts first appeared internationally in 2012 and quickly received critical praise for their complexity, balance, and uniquely tropical twist. Expressions like Brilliance, Bold, Classic Select Cask, and Edited are favorites among whisky lovers seeking to explore high-quality single malts beyond Scotland and Japan.
The Indian Whisky Industry: A Quick Overview
India is the largest whisky market in the world, both in terms of consumption and production. Traditionally, the Indian whisky industry was dominated by mass-market brands. These were usually made either from molasses or by blending neutral spirits with some malt whisky. Iconic domestic brands, such as Royal Stag, McDowell’s, and Imperial Blue, generated huge volumes and dominated shelves across the country.
The last two decades, however, have seen a whisky revolution. India has emerged as a serious player in the premium single malt category. Pioneers like Amrut Distilleries paved the way, becoming the first Indian single malt to earn international recognition when Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible famously ranked Amrut Fusion among the world’s best whiskies in 2010.
Following Amrut’s success, Paul John in Goa, Rampur in Uttar Pradesh, and a few other craft producers have helped put Indian single malt on the global whisky map. Indian single malts stand out for their bold flavors and their rich, concentrated character.
India’s single malt scene continues to grow as more distilleries experiment with indigenous barley varieties, Scottish peat, and innovative cask finishes. They’re demonstrating that India can produce whiskies that rival, and sometimes surpass, well-known global brands.
Paul John’s Core Single Malt Whisky Range
Paul John Bold — Peated Single Malt Whisky
Paul John Bold is the distillery’s flagship fully peated expression. It uses imported Scottish peat to craft a bold, smoky Indian single malt. This distinctive whisky showcases Paul John’s balance of tropical maturation with Islay-style influence — all distilled and aged in Goa’s warm coastal climate.
The whisky has an earthy and smoky nose, with notes of honey, vanilla, and charred oak. On the palate, it reveals layers of cold campfire smoke, toasted barley, wood spices, and a hint of cocoa. A touch of tropical fruit sweetness cuts through the peat. The finish is long, sweet, and smoky, with lingering pepper, cooked malt, and dried tropical fruits. It is a bold whisky, yet surprisingly balanced.
Paul John Classic, Select Cask, Unpeated Single Malt Whisky
The Classic Select Cask is an unpeated, cask-strength whiskey highlighting Paul John’s pure malt spirit. Hand-selected American oak barrels provide richness, while the tropical Goa climate speeds up aging, resulting in greater depth and intensity.
On the nose, the whisky presents notes of rich honey, vanilla fudge, and ripe tropical fruits, especially banana and pineapple. It’s full-bodied and creamy on the palate, with flavors of malted barley, toffee, cinnamon, and citrus zest. The finish is long, smooth, and slightly spicy with lingering sweetness and oak notes.
Paul John Peated, Select Cask Single Malt Whisky, 55.5% ABV, 750 ml.
This Select Cask Peated bottling is a higher-strength, carefully selected cask that showcases an elegant balance of peat and rich tropical notes. It’s a bolder, more intense interpretation of Paul John’s peated house style.
The whisky offers smoky bacon, campfire ash, hints of honey, and dried fruit aromas on the nose. It’s robust yet well-balanced on the palate, featuring smoky peat blended with caramel, spiced oak, dark chocolate, and tropical fruit undertones. The finish is long and flavorful, with lingering notes of cold smoke and sweet malt.
Paul John Brilliance, Unpeated Single Malt Whisky, 46% ABV, 750 ml
Brilliance is Paul John’s entry-level unpeated single malt. It’s made entirely from Indian six-row barley and aged in ex-bourbon barrels of American oak. It’s an approachable, fruit-forward spirit, reflecting Goa’s sunny terroir.
The whisky offers aromas of cooked barley malt, honey, vanilla, ripe citrus, and tropical fruits, especially melon. It’s light to medium-bodied and creamy on the palate, with flavors of cooked malt, barley sugar, toffee, and wood spices like cinnamon and a hint of clove. The finish is long and slightly dry, with lingering notes of oak spices and vanilla.
Paul John Nirvana, Single Malt Whisky
Nirvana is Paul John’s most accessible single malt, created to introduce consumers to Indian whisky. It’s unpeated, smooth, and affordable, yet still showcases the distillery’s signature bright and tropical fruit notes.
The whisky is elegant and aromatic on the nose, featuring notes of honeycomb, vanilla, and dried tropical fruits. It’s sweet and light on the palate, with a subtle maltiness, a touch of caramel, and hints of assorted dried tropical fruits. The finish is light, crisp, and mildly sweet, with lingering hints of tropical fruits, making it perfect for an easy sipping apéritif or cocktails.
With its tropical terroir, bold innovation, and masterful balance of tradition and experimentation, Paul John has redefined what Indian whisky can be. From smoky peated powerhouses to smooth, fruit-laced expressions, its single malts aren’t just world-class—they’re also truly Indian. For whisky lovers seeking flavor, finesse, and a spirit of discovery, Paul John isn’t just a name to know—it’s a destination in a glass.