Paul John Mars Orbiter

I’m a fan of Paul John, particularly its unpeated whiskies, but I’ve struggled to find anything in this rare edition that you can’t find better expressed in its regular releases. There’s oranges, aniseed and a hint of ash on the nose. On the palate the flavors lean towards bitter Seville marmalade. I’ve been fortunate to try this at least twice in the past year along with many other from the distillery, which is spoiling us with such juicy tropical flavors that this one would struggle to make my top five. Making whisky in Goa has been a successful moonshot, but this one falls a bit short of its best.

Drammers Club pour. This was a 4.5 year old vatting from 3 bourbon barrels to honor India Mars orbit mission which has lasted longer than the expected 6 months and is still going on. This one is very tangy and has notes of Peat, Chocolate, Toffee, Guava, Passion Fruit, Citrus, Pineapple, Treacle, Pepper, Butterscotch, Orange, and Caramel

I really enjoy this whisky. Aroma is warm and rich with a grapey-syrupy-meets-vanilla-taffy note that emerges as it opens; Palate Is almost two tones of smoke and grapey dark fruit sweetness with all the other notes sandwiched in between; Finish hits a long elegant stride and keeps the sweet and smoky party going.