Paul John Nirvana Single Malt

A friend keeps trying to get me interested in Indian whisky, and had me sample this bottling: Paul John Nirvana. As for now: I won't dismiss Indian whiskys entirely, but I haven't yet found one I truly enjoyed. Let's try it... The aroma of this single malt leans towards sweet and grainy. Honey, pear, pineapple, and some astringent oak complete the rather intriguing aroma, though it's a bit on the mild side. The taste begins sweet, with simple syrup and vanilla creating an interesting, sticky mouthfeel. Astringent oak appears mid-palate and continues with some spice to the end of the taste. In fact, that spice is more like peppercorn, causing a slight tingle. Faint hints of pineapple and pear are present but overshadowed by the other notes. There's a bit of grassy herb that actually carries into the finish... As the finish starts, your mouth feels slightly tingly from the spice on the palate. Cut grass, honey, and astringent black tea blend with a little hay. It's a sweet and earthy finish, but very brief. This is a single malt, yet it drinks like a blend. Nevertheless, this is an acceptable whisky and, in fact, a good value at this low price. Will I buy a bottle myself someday? No, absolutely not. Then again, I prefer bourbon.

Nose: Lychee in sugary fruit liquid. Truly. Hints of something botanical, almost medicinal. A swirl unleashes bright citrus peel. Later, ripe fruits emerge, perhaps a bit of strawberry, pear, or peach. Then, lychee reappears with the intensity of a dessert buffet. Palate: Bright and fruity, yet still quite sweet. Ripe fruits and citrus are combined as if in a mixer. A single lychee might top it off, but it's less prominent on the tongue. An subtle bready, yeast-like taste transitions to a mild spice at the finish, reminiscent of cinnamon or ginger. The texture is slick, coating, and slightly oily. A persistent bitterness, almost like hops, also provides a tannic sensation that puckers the cheeks. You know that moment before an orchestra begins, when musicians are tuning and playing fragments, and then the conductor cues them into a unified sound? This is like that, but without the conductor's cue, resulting in continuous dissonance. Frankly, it's not terrible—interesting moments arise—but it's not particularly great either. It's not a masterpiece. Recommended for those who enjoy fruity profiles and are up for an exploration.

A friend from San Antonio gave me this. I've grown to appreciate Indian Single Malts, especially Amrut and Paul John. This is Paul John's basic offering, costing about $30. On the nose, it's fruity, yeasty, and slightly earthy. You can also detect some malt and bamboo notes. The taste is like fruits stewed in salty soy sauce, with malty raw dough and notes of young wood. The flavor intensity is good, but it's not quite balanced. The finish sees the malt fade, while the fruits become tropical, and the wood takes on a salty, sea-soaked character. It finishes with a mild bitterness. I'm reminded of a blend, with the bitterness having a very grainy quality. The typical Indian spice character is very subdued, if present at all. Is it incredible?...No, but for $30, there's a lot happening. I'll probably seek my Indian Single Malt enjoyment elsewhere, but this is a solid choice that's far from the worst...77/100...Definitely has that 'Teen Spirit' vibe.

Incredible! This is a $25 bottle that tastes like a premium Scotch! Simply amazing. The complex nose offers notes of sherry, pepper, malt, and citrus. A very sweet aroma that reveals more with each sniff. The palate is slightly less impressive than the nose, with similar notes that disappear quickly, almost like a cheaper whiskey. Nevertheless, it's an outstanding purchase and will be a regular on my shelf.

Aroma is plain but engaging, it displays some immaturity and raw grain character but not in an overly sweet new make way (though their new make is quite good); Taste is less sweet and less rustic than the aroma but it's just as engaging; Aftertaste is warm but brief and I truly wish it would linger longer. Overall it's a well-made basic whisky, which is its intended purpose.

Sample from an online whisky group. Distilled in American White Oak Barrels, aged above ground, with an 8-10% angel's share loss over 3-4 years. Nose: Honey, Lemon, Orange, Caramel, Guava, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Vanilla Custard, Mango, Floral notes. Palate: Orange, Cherry, Caramel, Honey, Vanilla, Dried Fruit, Apricot. Finish: Vanilla Custard, Orange, Lemon, Caramel. A pleasant, approachable spirit, well-suited for mixed drinks.