Glühwein

Christmas… well, I don’t mind opening op something special for that. In this case, a malt from India! This is the Paul John Christmas Edition 2018 of which only 3.000 bottles were released. This Indian malt was finished on oloroso sherry casks.

The nose immediately offers a panoply of exotic aromas: pineapple, oranges, nuts, cinnamon, cloves, curry powder, demerara sugar and actually reminds me of glühwein, that typical warm wine served this time of year.

The body is more than okay, the whisky is nicely spicy and warming. Again those feisty (oriental) spices that precede the (citrus) fruit, upholstered with something of chocolate and even pastry. Yes, this whisky was well named indeed.

The finish is medium long, silky soft and festive on even more cinnamon and oranges.

I could easily have mistaken this for a rum if tried blind. But it certainly is no mistake that this is a lovely Paul John whisky. Merry Christmas, everyone!

It's only the 2nd Paul John I've had. The other one is the Nirvana. This is way better. It has it's own character. I like the combination of the curry/paprika/oranges/chocolate with the peat.

It was a perfect christmas gift and I'm happy with every dram.

Nutty on the nose, dried fruits, dates, bitter orange, cloves and a hint of anise, plus a light smoke like Highland Park. The aroma is actually reminiscent of the Christmas season. You could blindly mistake it for a very spicy rum.

Nice and soft in the mouth, round and fruity (orange, cherry) - full, the smoke becomes more present and settles over the remaining aromas in the finish. In addition, there is a coffee bitterness and a hint of cinnamon.
Length: 6/10

Great Indian, which in my opinion is superior to its brothers in the standard range and also tastes good outside of Advent.

Note 1-

I love this whisky. Aroma is warm and rich with sherry and smoke notes revolving around a malty core; Palate is less nutty than the aroma but just as complex and dynamic with the layers of dried fruits and spices; Finish is the perfect complement and fades out slow with sweet and smoky notes sitting evenly.

On December 14th, 21 from 84 to 85

odor
Cloves, cinnamon, orange, Christmas little smoke, nutty

taste
Oily, nutty, rum notes, nice smoke, wood spice, strongly spicy honey, caramel, little salt

finish
Almost long, orange, spicy, black pepper

Food pairing
With Rittersport honey salt almond with soft fig
and
Caramel with Celery!