Today I am trying the Paul John Nirvana whisky and if you have been following me on social media for a while, you would know that I love whisky from the Paul John Distillery in India. I have tasted all the releases in their core range and loved it.

Additional to the core range, the Paul John Christmas Edition and Kanya release is heavenly, and I get very excited then something new appears from this Goan distillery.

During 2019 the distillery released the Paul John Nirvana Indian single malt whisky as the entry-level single malt to the core range and eventually it has reached South African shores.

Nirvana is a place of perfect peace and happiness. Nirvana is defined as the highest state that someone can attain, a state of enlightenment.

Also Read: Black & White Whisky

According to Paul P John, Chairman, ‘Nirvana is an expression for those willing and keen to experience single malts, especially for the first time. Its exotic richness is sure to captivate whisky connoisseurs and amateurs equally. It is an expression for those who discover happiness in their purpose of being.

Paul John whisky is created from the Indian 6 row barley (unpeated) and matured in charred American oak casks. The casks are stored in non-climate controlled warehouses. It is not chill-filtered with no added colour.

Paul John Nirvana Whisky Review


COUNTRY: India

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Deep Copper

NOSE: Malty and sweet with dry prunes, fruitcake and dark chocolate. Vanilla, tropical fruit and hints of cinnamon. A molasses sweetness in the background.

PALATE: Spicy notes make way for honey, butterscotch and fruity sweetness. Drying oak, vanilla and chewy barley mix with apples, cinnamon, ginger and bits of bourbon. Hints of fruitcake in the background with something coastal.

Like standing on the beach on a humid, windy evening with salty notes in the air. Very drinkable and utterly delicious! Water brings more sweetness forward.

FINISH: Medium length with sweetness and soft spices.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Nirvana whisky is delicious. It reminded me of summer evenings in Kerala with the warm, humid wind blowing through the palm trees. The Paul John Nirvana whisky retails for around R 500 in South Africa and is worth every cent.

I have seen it at Whiskybrother and Wild About Whisky. If you have not tried whisky from India, this is a great place to start. I have also tried the Paul John PX whisky as well as the Oloroso Select Cask release and both are lovely.

Also Read: Signature whisky

Jeannette Wentzel

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