It wasn’t way back after we reviewed the belated launch of Paul John’s Christmas Cask from 2023. This 12 months we’re taking a way more well timed take a look at Christmas Cask 2024.
Whereas it’s at all times an unpeated Indian Single Malt from Goa, the whiskey’s getting older course of is totally different every year. For 2024, it’s completed in Caribbean rum casks and vatted with malt matured in virgin oak, which guarantees to sweeten issues up a short while concurrently compounding the wooden affect. Let’s give it a whirl.
As is widespread with Paul John Christmas Version, there’s a energetic spiciness up entrance on the nostril right here, evoking apple cider, butterscotch, brown butter, and vanilla. Earthier than anticipated, the nostril has a darker sandalwood high quality lingering beneath, alongside a toasty, nearly ashy high quality that evokes a distant fire.
The palate has fruit for days — beginning with grilled pineapple and transferring into notes of mandarin orange, and purple apples, earlier than making room for extra of these extra unique parts — sandalwood once more, plus toasted coconut. What distinguishes the palate is the quantity of spice that hangs in there. Whereas it’s simply hinted at on the nostril, the palate actually explodes with notes of cinnamon and cloves, ginger and torched orange peel — all hanging on effectively into the end. A pinch of saffron even emerges late within the sport, taking issues in yet one more course, albeit one which is totally holiday-friendly simply the identical.
92 proof.
A / $80 / pauljohnwhisky.com
Paul John Christmas Version 2024
$80
