Paul John Distillery: Goa's Indian Single Malt
Updated: 17 hours ago
Paul John is an Indian single malt and single cask whisky brand made by John Distilleries at its malt distillery in Goa. It launched in London in 2012 and is now sold in dozens of countries.
In this guide
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Paul John at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery / brand | Paul John |
Country and region | Goa, India |
Owner / operator | John Distilleries |
Historical background | Paul John uses Indian six-row malted barley and, for some variants, imported Islay and Aberdeen peat. It is distilled in traditional copper pot stills and matured in charred American oak… |
Whisky identity | Indian single malt whisky made in Goa |
Visitor planning | Check the producer's official site for current tours and operating hours. |
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Who is behind Paul John?
John Distilleries was founded by Paul P. John, originally from Kerala. The company is based in Bangalore and launched its Original Choice blended whisky in 1996. Wikipedia reports that the founders have sold 51 percent of the company to Sazerac, and the Sazerac Company page mentions an agreement for the Indian market. The brand is named after its founder and chairman.
A short history
1996: Original Choice whisky launched, a blended brand
2008: John Distilleries decides to make single malt to enter the premium end of the market
4 October 2012: first bottling, Paul John Single Cask 161, launched at the Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge, London
May 2013: flagship Brilliance, Edited and Bold released, ranging from unpeated to peated
2013: launched in Goa, India, and in Bangalore in 2015
How is it made?
Paul John uses Indian six-row malted barley and, for some variants, imported Islay and Aberdeen peat. It is distilled in traditional copper pot stills and matured in charred American oak casks. The distillery has two sets of copper pot stills with a daily production capacity of 6,000 litres. Maturation takes place in a climate-controlled underground cellar of around 10,000 barrels and in on-ground warehouses.
Master Distiller Michael D'Souza chose Indian ingredients to give the whisky the character of its country. His wash is 5 percent ABV, lower than the usual 8 percent. The spirit is filled into casks at 55 percent ABV, and it can rise as it ages in the heat.
Climate and ageing
Goa has a tropical monsoon climate. Wikipedia gives the angels' share as 8 to 10 percent a year, against about 2 percent in Scotland. D'Souza has said that whisky matured for 4 to 5 years, as with Edited and Brilliance, compares to a Scotch aged around 15 years.
Visiting
There is a visitor centre on the premises, and the distillery is described as the first in India to allow tours.
John Distilleries says its whisky has won over 200 international awards and is available in 38 countries.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Paul John made? At the John Distilleries malt plant in Goa.
When did Paul John launch? 4 October 2012 in London.
Who owns John Distilleries? Wikipedia says the founders sold 51 percent to Sazerac Company.
The company and the brand
Per Wikipedia, Paul John is a brand of Indian single malt and single cask whisky made by John Distilleries. The company is based in Bangalore and its single malt distillery is in Goa. The brand is named after the founder and chairman of John Distilleries, Paul P. John. The company had made blended whisky since 1996 and single malt since 2008.
Launch timeline
4 October 2012: first bottling, Paul John Single Cask 161, launched in London by Sanjay Paul of Alcobev Limited.
May 2013: the flagship single malts Brilliance, Edited and Bold released.
2013: launched in Goa. Bangalore follows in 2015.
The range also includes Select Cask Classic and Select Cask Peated, and the brand reports more than 200 international awards.
Production, per Wikipedia
Indian six row malted barley, and for some variants imported Islay and Aberdeen peat.
Two sets of copper pot stills, one wash and one spirit, with a daily capacity of 6,000 litres.
Maturation in charred American oak, in a climate controlled underground cellar of around 10,000 barrels and in on-ground warehouses.
Master distiller Michael D'Souza used a wash of 5 percent ABV against the usual 8 percent. Casks are filled at 55 percent.
Wikipedia cites an angels' share of 8 to 10 percent a year in Goa. Amrut's page cites 11 to 12 percent for Bangalore, so these figures differ by site and source.
Visiting
Wikipedia says there is a visitor center on the premises and that the distillery was the first in India to allow tours. Check with John Distilleries for current booking details.
Sources and image credit
Sources: Wikipedia articles on Paul John (whisky), John Distilleries, Indian whisky and Sazerac Company, checked 20 October 2026.
Further sources checked 20 October 2026: Wikipedia article on Paul John (whisky). Gaps: the official site was not read, so current tour availability, range names and ABVs are unconfirmed.
Gaps for Filip: Wikipedia only, no official Paul John source checked. Sazerac stake needs checking against a current report. No cover image added.
What makes Paul John distinctive?
Indian single malt whisky made in Goa
Paul John whisky bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Paul John Brilliance | NAS / release dependent | Check bottle | Indian single malt whisky made in Goa |
Paul John Edited | NAS / release dependent | Check bottle | Indian single malt whisky made in Goa |
Paul John Bold | NAS / release dependent | Check bottle | Indian single malt whisky made in Goa |
The table records named or historical expressions. Exact availability, strength and provenance can change; consult the producer for current details.
Paul John Brilliance bottle photograph
Paul John Brilliance Indian single malt bottle; photograph records an earlier bottle design and does not guarantee current packaging.
Explore related distilleries
Frequently asked questions about Paul John
Where is Paul John located?
Goa, India.
Who owns or operates Paul John?
John Distilleries.
What makes Paul John distinctive?
Indian single malt whisky made in Goa.
Which whiskies are documented for Paul John?
Paul John Brilliance, Paul John Edited, Paul John Bold. Availability varies.
Can visitors tour Paul John?
Check the producer's current tour and booking information; not all sites are open to visitors.
Sources and editorial notes
The original research and reference links have been retained. Current ownership, prices, operating status and visitor arrangements should be reconfirmed.
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About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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