I started 2022 with a bold sherried expression from India when I tasted the Paul John Oloroso Select Cask whisky, and today I continue the drams from the Indian continent. The Paul John Bold Indian single malt is a peated whisky released by the John Distillery in 2015. It is made from 6-row Indian barley and peated using peat brought to Goa from Islay.

I have written extensively about the history of the John Distillery and have tasted quite a few of their releases, including Nirvana and Pedro Ximénez Select Cask.

Also Read: Ardbeg Uigeadail vs Lagavulin 16

The Bold single malt edition is part of the Paul John flagship range together with Brilliance and Edited. Every whisky in the flagship range shows a different aspect of the Indian whisky. Brilliance is unpeated, Edited is mildly peated one, and Bold is pleated to about 25 ppm.

Paul John Bold whisky is aged in ex-bourbon barrels and a NAS release. According to some research, it is probably between 6-8 years old. The Paul John whisky is non-chill-filtered.



Paul John Bold Single Malt Whisky Review


ABV: 46%

COUNTRY: India

COLOUR: Dark amber

NOSE: Smoky notes with fruit and honey sweetness with hints of peat and nuts. Lots of fresh fruit with hints of oak, dry grass and salt.

PALATE: A delicious balance between honey sweetness, peat, woody notes and spices. You can’t miss the Islay peat and smoky hints, but it is balanced with baked apple sweetness and green notes. Bits of dark chocolate and oak spice. Full body and oily. Bits of lemon and black pepper in the background.

FINISH: Long and lingering with notes of fruity sweetness, bits of salt and peat with hints of chocolate.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Bold Edition is delicious and unquestionably bold. It is not Ardbeg Uigeadail intensity, but more Ardbeg An Oa fruitiness bold. The Paul John Indian single malt Bold whisky is memorable and drinkable. I love the releases from this Master distiller. Bold has the Islay peat, but it is gentle and easy to drink.

A lovely regular sipper that is readily available in South Africa. It retails for about R 600, and it is my favourite release from the flagship series.

This dram also made it onto my favourite peated whisky list. You can read this article all the other peated drams that also made it onto the list.

Also Read: Woodford Reserve Rye vs Jack Daniel’s Rye Whiskey


Jeannette Wentzel

Recent Posts

Noble Rebel Orchard Outburst Whisky

During my visit to the Loch Lomond distillery in August, I had the opportunity to…

2 weeks ago

Whyte and Mackay Triple Matured Blended Whisky

One of the more affordable whiskies here in Mauritius is the Whyte and Mackay Triple…

3 weeks ago

Remy Martin XO Cognac

Let's change things up. This past weekend, we celebrated a special memory by opening some…

1 month ago

Review of the Loch Lomond Steam and Fire Whisky

Continuing with my notes from the Loch Lomond distillery visit, I'm diving into the Loch…

1 month ago

Chivas Regal 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old Whisky

Chivas Regal 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old whisky: a battle of two iconic drams.…

2 months ago

Review of the Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla Edition Whisky

My husband John is a frequent traveller. Recently, he brought home the Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla…

2 months ago

This website uses cookies.