Welcome to part two of a three-part series on the biggest Indian whisky brands. Today, we take a look at the history and development of Paul John and Rampur. Read part one here
India became as the UK's largest market for Scotch whisky by volume in 2022, importing 219 million bottles according to figures published by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). Surprisingly, Scotch whisky imports comprise only 2% of the Indian whisky market, as India is also amongst the world's major whisky manufacturers, producing 189 million cases of whisky in 2019.
The majority of Indian spirits labeled as 'whisky' are closer to rum due to being distilled from molasses, falling within a category of alcohol termed as Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), and are marketed to domestic Indian consumers.
Historically, India's malt whisky distillation occurred only on a small scale, as the production of alcohol from barley proved controversial in an era of widespread poverty and grain shortages.
Inspired by the continually expanding single malt market forged by the Scotch whisky industry, India's distillers have aspired to release their own premium single malt whiskies, demonstrating the quality and unique character whisky gains in India's tropical climate.
A trilogy of articles explores the history and development of India's four largest brands which have gained international recognition for Indian single malt whisky.
The second article examines the multi-award-winning Paul John brand of Goa, alongside India's oldest malt-producing distillery, Rampur.
A History of John Distilleries and Paul John Whisky
John Distilleries was founded by Paul P. John in 1996, as part of John's expanding interests in the hospitality industry. As the son of a sugar cane plantation and liquor manufacturer, Paul P. John recognized the profitability in distilling establishing John Distilleries first distillery in Bangalore, Karnataka in 1996.
Within months, John Distilleries had launched 'Original Choice' whisky, which quickly became one of the most successful IMFL brands dominating a large segment of the domestic Indian whisky market, selling 4 million cases annually by 2005.
In 2008, John Distilleries began distilling single malt whisky at the company's Goa distillery, with an aim of entering the premium international whisky market. The Paul John distillery uses indigenous Indian six-row barley, grown in the foothills of the Himalayas and harvested at the height of summer to ensure perfect maturity, believing this will infuse the whisky with characteristics of its Indian origin during distillation. Utilizing pure spring water, distillation at the Paul John distillery uses copper pot stills crafted in India featuring distinctive long necks to produce a fruitier spirit.
A Home In Goa
Goa, the small, southwestern Indian state famed for its golden beaches and tourism, was specifically chosen as the location for the Paul John Distillery due to a tropical monsoon climate. In Goa's tropical climate maturation occurs faster, with Paul John master distiller, Micheal D'Souza estimating a maturation of 4-5 years is equivalent to a Scotch whisky aged for 15 years.
The Paul John distillery uses a combination of warehouses and a climate-controlled cellar complex with a capacity for 10,000 barrels for maturation.
Paul John's First Whisky Releases
The first bottling of Paul John single malt Indian whisky, 'Paul John Single Cask 161 Whisky' was officially launched at the Capital Hotel, Knightsbridge, London on 4th October 2012. The 'Paul John Single Cask 161 Whisky' expression was bottled at a cask strength of 57% ABV, and numbered only 150 bottles, originally sold exclusively by The Whisky Exchange for £60.
The Paul John brand quickly gained recognition when whisky writer, Jim Murray, awarded the 'Paul John Single Cask 161 Whisky' 94.5 points and the 'Liquid Gold' award in his Whisky Bible. In May 2013, the Paul John single malt Indian whisky core range was launched for the international market, a trio of Paul John bottlings named 'Brilliance', 'Edited', and 'Bold', with the range including unpeated and peated expressions.
The Paul John distillery has subsequently experimented with cask finishes including Oloroso and PX sherry, while limited-edition releases include the annual Paul John Christmas Edition, first released in 2018. A commemorative bottling, Paul John 'Mars Orbiter' was released in 2018, in celebration of India's successful space mission launching a probe to Mars.
A Timeline of John Distilleries/Paul John Indian Whisky
1996 - John Distilleries is founded by Paul P. John, with the company's first distillery established in Bangalore, Karnataka. John Distilleries launches Original Choice whisky, which quickly becomes one of the most successful IMFL brands in the domestic Indian whisky market.
2008 - John Distilleries begins distilling single malt whisky at the company's Goa distillery, in an effort to enter the premium market, opting to use Indian barley to give the whisky characteristics from its country of origin.
2012 - The first bottling of Paul John single malt whisky 'Paul John Single Cask 161 Whisky' is officially launched at the Capital Hotel, Knightsbridge, London on 4th October 2012. Jim Murray awards 'Paul John Single Cask 161 Whisky' 94.5 points and the 'Liquid Gold' award in his Whisky Bible.
2013 - In May 2013, the Paul John single malt whisky core range is launched, Paul John Brilliance, Paul John Edited, and Paul John Bold.
2018 - The first annual Paul John Christmas Edition bottling is released. Paul John 'Mars Orbiter' a commemorative bottling to celebrate India's successful space mission launching a probe to Mars is released.
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