BY NAMITA GUPTA
If you’re a whisky and single malt connoisseur and like to enjoy these elixirs, wouldn’t you want to know the secrets on what goes behind the making of a great single malt? Well, now you can, as the Bangalore-based Paul John brand has recently unveiled its Paul John Visitor Centre in Goa. Home to the International Award-winning Whisky, Paul John Single Malts are distilled at John Distilleries in South Goa and is a must-visit for those looking for novel and immersive experiences on their travels.
Enter into a palatial yellow charming bungalow with oystershell windows, dramatically coloured walls and rustic furniture; highlighting the Portuguese influence, surrounded by greens for a fun and engaging experience. Master Distiller, Michael D’ souza whose passion for whiskies drew him into the world of distilling, takes you around the entire distillation process, followed by sampling of each of the expressions in the tasting room. At its Visitor Centre, the first of its kind in India, the internationally acclaimed Paul John whisky puts together the craft and time-honoured process behind the making of single malts. For those keen to understand the making of fine whiskies and interested in extraordinary travel experiences, the Centre is a perfect half-day itinerary that unravels the rare art of whisky-making, from mashing to distilling in fine copper pot stills. The visit to the underground cellar would be a magical moment filled with rich aromas to each and every whisky connoisseur.
Exotic aromas and tropical flavours enhance the Indianness in Paul John Single Malts placing this fabulous Indian whisky on a class apart from the rest. The entire process of making of this liquid gold is an eye opener. It’s a craft by itself. Indigenous ingredients around, the warm environs of Goa and eventually the main factor that gives each of the single malts its unique flavour and aroma – the cask is the hero behind the game. Choose to enjoy exquisite tasting sessions to relish and discover intricate flavours of the whiskies. Since 2013, Paul John Whisky has been honoured with over 200 prestigious International awards and the Wall of Fame shares a few glimpses of these glories.
Each of the expressions that you get to taste of the Paul John Indian Single Malt Whisky are created after years of research and studying the art of making single malts. This stands out in the elegant tapestry they have today. Paul P John, the man behind the brand is a visionary, who has taken his brand of exceptional single malts, great whiskies and Big Banyan wines to a level where they are now the fourth largest in India and one of the top 10 selling whiskies worldwide. No wonder they have won 232 global awards so far.
Paul John Single Malt Whisky is an award-winning premium single malt whisky created in Goa. Crafted from six-row barley that are grown across the vast lands of Rajasthan and the foothills of the Himalayas, this superb single malt is aged for a minimum of five years and is non chill-filtered. Its rich aromas and rare tropical flavours have made this award-winning whisky a favourite among whisky lovers around the world. Paul John Single Malt has five core expressions. It has been rated Liquid Gold and the expression Kanya by Paul John has won Best Asian Whisky Award 2018 by Jim Murray, Whisky Bible. Paul John Single Malt recently launched the Mars Orbiter, to commemorate the historical Mars Orbiter Mission by India.
Wallet Factor: The tour is Rs. 350, The Flagship (Brilliance, Edited & Bold) 10ml each tasting is for Rs. 300, The Select Cask (Classic & Peated) 10ml each is for Rs. 300 and a mystery dram, 10ml is for Rs. 300.
Where: Paul John Visitor Centre, is located in the distillery premises in Cuncolim, Goa.
When: Group and private tours can be booked, or just walk in any time from Monday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm.
