Paul John Classic Select Cask Single Malt

This brand first caught my attention when one of its expressions was featured in a 'Best Values' list. While I don't always take such recommendations as absolute fact, the publication's choices for 'Editor's Choice' and 'Best Value' have proven reliable. I tend to buy bottles that are flagged as 'Best Value' if they're available locally, especially when managing tight finances. This particular expression is an 80 proof single malt. While it won't revolutionize anyone's drinking experience, it offers pleasant fruitiness for its price, competing well with other options in its category. I've only tried it once before, about two years ago, but recall it being perfectly acceptable and suitable for guests. Other varieties available locally included holiday editions and this Select Cask. Given the community rating here, I wasn't particularly seeking out the Select Cask, but the holiday versions seemed fitting for the season, and I was delaying their purchase until then. My patience was rewarded when both holiday expressions were discounted by 50%, allowing me to acquire them for $45 each. The Select Cask was also on sale for the same price, making it $50 instead of $100. Naturally, as a curious whisky enthusiast, I bought all three, despite the Select Cask having the lowest community score in my collection on this site. This is quite surprising, as this whisky is significantly better than a 3.4 rating, and certainly better than being the lowest-scored item I own (for context, a standard expression from another well-known brand has a higher rating). Perhaps the price is a factor. If I hadn't purchased this at a reduced price of $50, I might have felt it didn't justify the cost. However, I generally only spend around $100 on Islay Scotches, so I likely wouldn't have considered it at its full price without the discount. I opened this bottle on the same day I opened a Johnnie Walker Green. While the Green was superior, there were similarities in their bright fruitiness, though the specific fruits differed. The aroma presents an unusual complexity from a blend of papaya, kiwi, coconut, and mango. I'm intrigued by how grains can produce such a diverse range of scents. Frankly, I've encountered these aromas nowhere else. However, I'm still trying to pinpoint the exact nature of this complexity, because if these scents were presented purely, this would be an exceptional dram. There's also a chemical, solvent-like note present that prevents it from reaching the highest tier, but it's not so overpowering as to spoil the overall aroma. The taste is largely a combination of the tropical fruit notes detected in the aroma, creating an impression of tropical fruit punch with an alcoholic sharpness characteristic of its 102 proof. I offered a sip to my wife, who generally prefers bourbon and Irish whiskies. She coughed as it went down the wrong way, and while some whiskies at 117 proof don't drink that strongly, this one seems to present with a bit more intensity than its stated 102 proof. It's not harsh, but rather... sharp? The finish maintains a fruity character with a subtle edge. The primary reason this whisky doesn't achieve a higher rating is a lack of balance. All the components are present for a great whisky, but they don't quite harmonize perfectly. It's akin to watching a gymnast perform a flawless routine on the balance beam, execute a spectacular double backflip, and then stumble slightly upon landing while holding their arms up. I will certainly enjoy finishing this bottle, but it's evident that it hasn't reached its full potential. Once the producers refine it, this could be truly outstanding.

My wife introduced me to Paul John whiskies, always seeking new ones for me to explore before I'd even tried Amrut, despite hearing great things. The peated select cask was likely the first she brought home, and it immediately won me over. That was about two years ago, and since then, I've made it a mission to sample their entire core lineup; they're all solid. However, this particular one stands out to me. You can find more details on their site. The aroma is a potent burst of unripe fruit like banana and kiwi, plus almond, honey, spice, and a touch of bourbon warmth. It's quite pleasant and highly distinctive. The taste is a bit fiery without water, but after the initial burn, you detect delightful barley sugar, honey, almonds, vanilla, and grains. Adding water reveals banana and kiwi notes, along with clove, grain sugars, and sour cherry. This is truly excellent and unique. The finish is long, carrying those unripe fruits and clove spice. It's a remarkably good and unusual whiskey. I genuinely enjoy it, and though it's typically around $80, I consider it well worth the price. I've seen it for as low as $60, but regardless of cost, it warrants your attention. It's very different yet very pleasing. If you have the chance to get any bottle from the Paul John core range, I'd suggest it, but this one is particularly outstanding. Overall Grade: A

A strong, unpeated, cask strength Indian Single Malt Whisky produced by Master Distiller Michael D’Souza for Paul John Distilleries in Goa, India, using local, native ingredients. It was distilled in traditional copper pot stills and then aged in charred American Oak casks that previously held Bourbon, before being bottled at 55.2% ABV. It begins with a rich profile of honey, stewed apple, pear, vanilla, freshly baked sponge cake, golden barley, and a trace of saltiness. Its bold and complex development introduces notes of tropical fruits, banana, passion fruit, cinnamon, black pepper, and dark chocolate, culminating in a medium-length spicy finish with hints of oak, chili, and cracked black pepper. January / May 2020 / September 2021 / July 2022

Initially, the aroma presents bourbon-like notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla spices. A prominent, distinct nutty quality, perhaps walnuts, is also present. As I inhale deeper, tropical fruits emerge, including papaya, pineapple, apple, and mango. The flavor begins with sweet, honeyed malty cereal notes. The fruitiness appears midway through the palate and continues to the finish, with baking spices concluding the experience. The high alcohol content imparts an astringency, but a small amount of water and time allow the experience to soften, revealing more fruit flavors as the whisky evolves in the glass.

Distinct green apple notes throughout! The nose is intriguing, but I enjoy it. A pleasant fruity apple flavor on the palate, with a subtle peat that remains into the finish. It has a slightly tart quality, which some might find off-putting. It's enjoyable to drink for its proof; it certainly doesn't feel as intense as some other 55% ABV bottles, possibly due to the masking sweetness? I haven't sampled any other whiskies from India, but I'm now eager to try them. It's definitely a distinctive experience.

This is an unusual one. I've almost finished the bottle and I'm still trying to figure it out. It definitely needs water. The alcohol is quite sharp. My issue is... coconut. I detect tropical fruit and a hint of mild spice. But the coconut flavor is present, and I'm unsure if I appreciate it in this context. It puzzles me. I want to enjoy it, but I'm finding it challenging. So, it's an exploratory journey. Different, and perhaps too young, but full of flavor. Damn it! Commiserate with my struggle, everyone!