Paul John Christmas Edition 2022 is an Indian single malt from Goa, bottled at 46%. The fifth release in Paul John’s annual festive series, it’s designed to taste like a Christmas dessert in a glass. The whisky is crafted from malts that were first matured in ex-bourbon casks and then finished in a mix of brandy casks and peated Oloroso sherry casks, giving a chestnut-coloured dram with rich dark fruit, spice and gentle peat smoke.
Producer – Paul John, Goa
Paul John is one of the leading “new world” whisky producers, based on India’s west coast in Goa. Using Indian six-row barley, traditional copper pot stills and tropical maturation, the distillery is known for oily, flavoursome whiskies that mature quickly and develop plenty of fruit. For the Christmas Edition series, specially selected wine and dessert-wine influenced casks – plus a touch of peat – are combined to create a distinctly festive profile.
Nose
The nose is warm, aromatic and very inviting:
sweet oak, vanilla, baked apples and peaches
dark fruits: plums, stewed berries, plum pudding and sticky toffee
dark chocolate and cocoa over a base of cereal malt
dry Christmas spice – nutmeg, cinnamon, light pepper – with a wisp of peat smoke
Palate
On the palate, the whisky is creamy, medium-bodied and flavoursome:
soft, sweet notes of orange, dark chocolate, toffee and butterscotch
layers of stewed plums, apples and pears – very much in a Christmas dessert style
mellow peat adding depth and warmth rather than heavy smoke
light peppery spice and oak that tighten up the sweetness and add structure
Finish & serving
The finish is deep, creamy and lingering:
plenty of hazelnut and nutty praline
molasses, dark chocolate and malty richness
a gentle glow of spice and soft peat that fades slowly
Best enjoyed neat in a tulip glass, especially after dinner or alongside chocolate desserts, Christmas pudding, gingerbread or mature cheeses.
