Paul John

Introduction:

John Distilleries’ bestseller is their Original Choice blend, accounting for almost 95% of their annual total volume. With an impressive 10 million cases sold per year, its popularity speaks for itself, though it has primarily been successful domestically.

Since 2008, the company has been producing Single Malt for the international market under the label Paul John. It was first introduced in London in October 2012, starting with a single cask release, Paul John Single Cask 161, which comprised 150 bottles. Soon after, Paul John Single Cask 163 was also released.

In May 2013, the first two standard Single Malt bottlings were launched: Paul John Brilliance (unpeated whisky) and Paul John Edited (lightly peated). Later, the range was complemented by the heavily peated Paul John Bold.

Paul John Brilliance offers sweet notes of vanilla, honey, cinnamon, and mild spices, leading to a smooth finish. On the other hand, Paul John Edited brings pleasant, light smoke, along with honey, grain, and remarkable complexity. For those who prefer heavily peated Whisky, Paul John Bold is the choice, where the smoke is balanced by fruity notes, spices, and oak accents.

Paul John Single Malts are unchillfiltered and naturally colored, and they are released without age statements. Due to the Indian climate, Whisky matures nearly three times faster than in Scotland, resulting in relatively young age bottlings for Paul John Whisky.

Production:

John Distilleries Pvt. Ltd. has expanded significantly and currently operates 16 facilities across India, including three distilleries. In addition to producing Whisky, they also manufacture Wine and Brandy. While the head office remains in Bangalore, the main distillery is now located in Goa, on the west coast of India, where Paul John Single Malt Whisky is produced. With a production capacity of 3,000 liters of alcohol per day, the company is well – equipped to meet growing demands.

The sales statistics for John Distilleries highlight the company’s rapid growth, with their Original Choice Blend accounting for an impressive 95% of total sales:

• 2005: 4 million cases
• 2006: 4.5 million cases
• 2007: 6.4 million cases
• 2009: 12.5 million cases
• 2012: 17.2 million cases

These figures demonstrate the continuous expansion and success of John Distilleries, making them a prominent player in the Indian spirits market.

The Mashing:

The barley used for Paul John Single Malt Whisky is cultivated at the base of the Himalayas. Unlike Europe and America, the farmers in this region grow six – rowed barley, which contains more enzymes and proteins but results in lower alcohol yield during fermentation.

While all the grain is locally sourced, the peat used for producing the malt for the smoky varieties of Whisky is imported from Scotland. The malt is then milled on-site at the Goa Distillery, with two tons of milled malt used for the mash. After three runs in the stainless-steel mash tun, the process yields 12,000 liters of wort.

To secure a water source, a well was constructed at the distillery site, drawing water that originates from precipitation in the Himalayas. This high-quality water is essential for the whisky production process and adds to the unique character of Paul John Single Malt Whisky.

The Fermentation:

After the wort is produced, it is pumped out, filtered, and cooled before being filled into eight washbacks, each with a capacity of 18,000 liters. Fermentation occurs over a period of 55 to 60 hours. Following fermentation, the beer is left in the tanks for a secondary fermentation phase.

The unique six-row Indian barley used in the process results in a beer with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of approximately 5%, which is lower than the 7 – 8% ABV typically achieved in Scotch and Irish distilleries. This lower alcohol content in the beer contributes to the distinct characteristics and flavors found in Paul John Single Malt Whisky.

The Distillation:

The grain Whiskies used for the blends at John Distilleries are produced using tall column stills. In contrast, the Goa distillery employs traditional copper pot stills for the production of Malt Whisky. These pot stills were manufactured in India and are designed based on the Scottish models, featuring a reflux bulge and a rising, narrow Lyne arm.

The wash still at the distillery has a capacity of 15,000 liters, while the spirit still can hold up to 9,500 liters. The distillation process takes approximately ten hours, resulting in new make spirit with a high alcohol by volume (ABV) of 63.5%.

The use of copper pot stills and the careful distillation process play a crucial role in shaping the distinct flavors and characteristics of Paul John Single Malt Whisky.

The Warehouses:

Indeed, the warm climate in India plays a significant role in the maturation process of Whisky. The high temperatures result in a much faster aging of the spirit compared to cooler regions, and the evaporation rate is also notably higher. This evaporation, known as the “angels’ share,” amounts to approximately 8 – 10% in India.

To account for the climatic conditions, the new make spirit at John Distilleries is filled into the casks at a lower alcohol by volume (ABV) of 55%. However, during maturation, the alcohol content rises slightly due to the hot and humid environment.

The distillery predominantly uses Bourbon casks, which previously held American Bourbon, for maturing their Whisky. Additionally, some virgin American oak casks are also employed in the aging process. These casks contribute to the development of unique flavors and aromas in Paul John Single Malt Whisky, making it distinctively different from Scotch and other Whiskies aged in different climates.

The History:

John Distilleries was founded in Bangalore in 1992 by owner and chairman Paul P. John. Initially, the company produced Whisky under the brand National Distilleries and targeted the low – price segment in the Indian market. However, in 1995, the company rebranded as John Distilleries and launched the Original Choice Blend, focusing on higher quality. This move proved successful, leading to rapid growth in popularity.

There was a brief setback due to a disagreement with Allied Distillers over the similarity in name to their brand “Officer’s Choice”. However, this did not hinder the rise of Original Choice Blend, and it continued to gain momentum.

In 2008, John Distilleries acquired Chitali Distilleries Limited for around 4.3 million US dollars. This acquisition enabled them to produce sufficient neutral alcohol, supporting the expansion of their Blend production.

Over time, John Distilleries has diversified its portfolio, introducing brandies like Mont Castle and Roulette, along with Wine and Salute Vodka. The company’s continuous expansion and diverse offerings have solidified its position in the Indian spirits market.

Visitor Centre:

There’s no visitor centre at the distillery.

Visitor information:

Ein Besucherzentrum ist in der Brennerei in Goa nicht vorhanden.