The Schtick: Paul John is a single malt from the tropical coasts of Goa, India. Brilliance is a part of its flagship collection. This is a nonpeated whisky with a mashbill from 100% malted barley. Sazerac, the owner of Buffalo Trace, is a minority stakeholder in the company, and that’s where this bottle came from. I’ll admit, this whisky has been in my queue to taste for quite a long time. Though I am somewhat familiar with other Indian whisky brands like Amrut, it’s been a minute since I’ve tasted what the country has to offer. Let’s see how it shakes out.
Distiller: John Distilleries
Bottler: John Distilleries
Brand: Paul John
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
Nose: This nose is nothing short of hypnotic. Picture mango custard, toasted coconut, all drizzled with butterscotch. It’s extremely heady and tropical. An instant head turner if I ever smelled one.
Taste: All of that mango continues here, and there’s a creamy, demerara sugar vibe to this single malt. I feel the proof a bit more than I would like to, if I’m being honest, and I think it competes just a touch with all of that creamy, tropical sweetness. I’d love to see it a bit more well-integrated in the pour. Yet all of that aside, this is quite well-balanced and the sweetness does not overpower.
Finish: The finish lingers for a hot minute, with more of that mango. There’s a really attractive undercurrent of sandalwood coupled with the bitterness of dark chocolate. A slight bit of Ceylon cinnamon spice gives us a little bit of attitude and leaves a lasting impression.
Overall: I was totally in the wrong to take so long to taste and review this, and I’ll admit that. Paul John’s Brilliance is an unabashedly pretty, sensuous and easy-drinking whiskey with the perfect balance of tropical fruit, sweetness and a little bit of spice. Fans of Kentucky-style rye whiskeys are going to find this really attractive, with all of its subtlety and warmth. If there was one thing I’d have to say about this release it’s the following: don’t sleep on it.
Rank: 7
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