Paul John Brilliance Single Malt

Paul John Brilliance 46% Produced by John Distilleries in Goa, India, the Paul John range of single malt whiskies (named after their Chairman) represents a move into premium spirits for a company who are already big players in the Indian molasses 'whisky' market. Made using Indian 6-row barley from the Himalayan foothills, Brilliance is matured in bourbon barrels for 3-5 years before bottling at cask strength. (As with Amrut, the tropical climate cause greater evaporation, around 12-13% a year, but in turn they show very well at younger ages.) Champagne, sweetness, grapes, caramel sweetness, mild pepper 3.75 Sweetness hits you straightaway on the front, you get a little peppery note on the nose, nutty, balance it is not dry and a very thick creamy smoothness, sweetness, peanut butter. As you continue to take more, you get an overwhelming numbing of the nose, waxy, oily, chewy caramel - i feel a prolong drink of this beyond the 2nd sip will make you disappointed 1.5 Oaky, and quite a sustained note 2 2.25

Indian whisky keeps surprising me. This time, a 46%abv expression from Paul John Called "Brilliance", which allegedly uses barley grown at the Himalayas. On the nose, first aroma note caught my attention, it was Naranjilla. Naranjilla is a tropical fruit very popular in Ecuador, and the only other time i hace ever perceived it in a whisky was in another indian malt, amrut fusion. What a coincidence. Ok, the aroma is beautiful, Naranjilla, Vanilla, Milk powder, very citric. Tobacco and Some dim chocolate fudge. The palate was great also, with naranjilla and oranges with hints of chocolate. The promise from the nose, delivers on the mouth. Aftertaste was a little less than the palate and nose, with just a peppery but pleasant finish. Overall this is a super interesting dram that i fully recommend, i don't think it is expensive at all, and it is a different whisky for you to try. 88 over 100.

I was gifted a bottle by some dinner guests last night—-popped it open and shared with the offerings for the night. This is one of those that is designed to please everyone. You can’t go in expecting a whirlwind of complexity or a Lagavulin gut punch. But it’s one of those that when offered to 10 guests last night, all 10 would enjoy. I had this out, along with Lagavulin 2018 Feis Ile, an Oregon Pinot, and a crispy French white. He Lag remained untouched, while this was 1/2empty, and the two wines are fully empty. Shows you the relative scale of where this falls. Meant for the non-scotch /whiskey enthusiast. Very much like a Balvenie 12—-except a bit stronger. Heather and honey, green apples. Cereals, a bit of floral lavender. Not one for the seasoned veteran, but very much a non-gender specific crowd pleaser .

My first Indian single malt and have to say Im impressed. Got it on sale at TW for $29.99 cant beat that. Poured neat nose is fruity and spicy. Plenty of melon, nutmeg and allspice alongside some malt and a curry like note(don't know if Im mentally getting this cause its Indian but I think its truly there). Palate is a bit youthful but vibrant with the spicy cantaloupe, malt, barrel and cumin heat all coming together nicely. Finish is lasting with spiced woody malts and fruit rinds. This is a surprisingly good whisky despite NAS sizzle and lack of Scottish terroir . It reminds me of a spicier Auchentoshan. If you are a Scotch fan but a little gun shy about Indian whisky as I was don't be. This is very tasty with solid flavor depth and obvious quality. Im very keen on trying Amrut now as well......86/100

Review #290 Whiskey Tour of the World 2025 #1 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Light amber. Nose: The nose is freshly cut grass with other vegetal and fruit notes. Palate: More fresh grass with a fair bit of spice afterward. Finish: Short length without much heat. Splash: No new flavors appear. Overall: 2/10 - There is honestly very little going on here. I have had other Indian whiskies that I really enjoyed. This is a mixer at best, and that’s being generous - there are plenty of better mixers.

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