Paul John Brilliance Single Malt

Paul John Brilliance 46% Produced by John Distilleries in Goa, India, the Paul John lineup of single malt whiskies (named after their Chairman) signifies a venture into premium spirits for a company already prominent in the Indian molasses 'whisky' sector. Crafted with Indian 6-row barley from the Himalayan foothills, Brilliance is aged in bourbon casks for 3-5 years prior to bottling at cask strength. (Similar to Amrut, the tropical climate leads to increased evaporation, around 12-13% annually, but this allows them to present well at younger ages.) Champagne, sweetness, grapes, caramel sweetness, mild pepper 3.75 Sweetness is immediate on the palate, with a hint of peppery spice on the nose. Nutty, it's balanced, not dry, and has a very thick, creamy smoothness, with sweetness and peanut butter. With further sips, the nose becomes overwhelmingly numb, waxy, oily, with chewy caramel. I suspect drinking much more than the second sip will lead to disappointment. 1.5 Oaky, with a rather lasting note 2 2.25

Indian whisky continues to surprise me. This time, it's a 46% ABV expression from Paul John called "Brilliance," which supposedly uses barley grown in the Himalayas. On the nose, the first aroma that caught my attention was Naranjilla. Naranjilla is a tropical fruit very popular in Ecuador, and the only other time I've ever detected it in a whisky was in another Indian malt, Amrut Fusion. What a coincidence. Okay, the aroma is lovely: Naranjilla, Vanilla, Milk powder, very citrusy. Also notes of Tobacco and some dark chocolate fudge. The palate was also great, featuring naranjilla and oranges with subtle hints of chocolate. It delivers on the promise from the nose. The aftertaste was slightly less pronounced than the palate and nose, with just a peppery yet pleasant finish. Overall, this is a highly interesting dram that I fully recommend. I don't think it's expensive at all, and it's a unique whisky to try. 88 out of 100.

I was given a bottle by some guests one evening—opened it and shared it with the other drinks offered that night. This is the kind of spirit intended to satisfy most people. Don't expect a complex experience or a powerful impact like a Lagavulin. However, when offered to ten guests last night, all ten enjoyed it. I had this alongside a Lagavulin 2018 Feis Ile, an Oregon Pinot, and a crisp French white. The Lagavulin remained untouched, while this was half gone, and the wines were finished. This shows its relative appeal. It's designed for those new to Scotch or whiskey. It's quite similar to a Balvenie 12, just a bit stronger. Notes of heather and honey, green apples. Cereal grains, a touch of floral lavender. Not for the experienced enthusiast, but definitely a universally appealing drink.

This is my first Indian single malt, and I must say I'm impressed. I got it on a promotion at TW for $29.99, which is a great deal. Poured neat, the nose is fruity and spicy. There's plenty of melon and nutmeg, along with some malt and a note that reminds me of curry (I'm not sure if I'm imagining this because it's Indian, but I genuinely think it's there). The palate is a bit young but lively, with spicy cantaloupe, malt, barrel notes, and cumin heat all integrating well. The finish is long with spiced, woody malts and fruit peels. This is a surprisingly excellent whisky despite being NAS and lacking Scottish character. It's reminiscent of a spicier Auchentoshan. If you're a Scotch enthusiast but hesitant about Indian whisky, like I was, don't be. This is very flavorful with substantial depth and clear quality. I'm now very eager to try Amrut as well......86/100

Review #290 World Whiskey Tour 2025 #1 Served in a Glencairn glass, rested for 15 minutes. Color: Light amber. Nose: Freshly cut grass with other vegetal and fruity notes. Palate: More fresh grass accompanied by a fair amount of spice. Finish: Short duration with minimal warmth. With water: No new flavors emerge. Overall: 2/10 - Honestly, there's very little character here. I've enjoyed other Indian whiskies. This is a mixer at best, and that's being generous, as there are many better options for mixing.

A rich Single Malt Whisky from John Distilleries in Goa, India, aged in bourbon barrels for 3-5 years. It has a fresh & juicy beginning with notes of wheat, vanilla, sweet butter, and sweet lemons & oranges; a rich middle adds notes of molasses, mango, green apple, orange, dark chocolate, hints of oak, honey & cinnamon; leading to a crisp & spicy end of medium length with notes of tropical fruit, black pepper, clove, tobacco, vanilla & spices. May 2019 / September 2021 / July 2022.