A WHIFF OF GOA
Launched in 1992, Paul John is the fourth largest liquor company in the country. John Distillers Limited is known for its whisky, one which enthusiasts admire for its depth of character and flavours that reflect the robust six-row Indian barley and fresh water streams and groundwater of Goa. The six-row barley from the foothills of the Himalayas and Rajasthan lends the single malt a distinct tannic character, alongside the hint of fruit and honey and a generous dose of floral notes. The higher husk content produces an oilier wash and the warm temperatures and humidity of Goa, where the whisky is distilled, helps it mature faster and lend a creamy texture. They do not chill filter the whisky which arguably strips the spirit of its character. At every stage of the distillation, the master distiller manually tests the brew. The specially designed pot-stills have long necks to create fruitier spirits and double-distillation in these pot-stills prolongs intimate contact with the copper rendering a distinct, rich and full-bodied flavour to the spirit.
According to master distiller Michael D’Souza, “We would like to believe that local farmers have benefitted greatly from the alco-bev industry as both breweries and malt plants need barley for production and there has been a 5-6 per cent increase in procurement per annum. Moreover, we’ve seen a steady increase in prices annually of around 2-3 per cent.”
Paul John produces 2.25 lakh litres of whisky every year and exports its single malts to 38 countries, including the US, UK, Italy, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, Taiwan, Japan and Singapore.