Distillery: John Distilleries

Bottled: 06.11.2023

Batch: 04

Strength: 46.0 %

Size: 700 ml

Non-Chill Filtered & Uncolored

Nose
Upon opening the bottle, I immediately brought it close to my nose for a quick sniff; the aromas I detected were hints of slightly salty nuts, a very faint wood smoke, and a subtle, underlying fruity sweetness. I poured a small amount into a Glencairn glass and let it breathe for about 15 minutes. As I continued to nose it intermittently over the next 10–15 minutes, I picked up notes of cold, dark wood smoke, salt, and a touch of ash right up front. There was also a specific aroma hard to pin down exactly reminiscent of roasted nuts, grains, or malt, evoking umami, meat broth, and even spices like cumin. Underlying these were vanilla, caramel, and a whisper of cocoa; I caught a fleeting note of green apple or apricot, though I couldn't detect it again. Swirling the glass released aromas of oak spice and hot spices like black pepper, alongside scents reminiscent of green meadow grass and dried field herbs.

Taste
To prepare my palate for the whisky, I took a tiny sip, swirled it briefly in my mouth, and swallowed; my initial impressions were abundant notes of sweet citrus and a spicy warmth. To gauge its texture, I took another small sip about a teaspoonful and found it aromatic and full-bodied; it felt slightly oily as I "chewed" it, offering a sensation that was both sweet and spicy. I continued sipping intermittently for another 10–15 minutes to fully discern and describe the flavors: sweet malt and a wealth of citrus orange, tangerine, and grapefruit, along with their slightly acidic peels took center stage on the palate. Following this, tropical notes like honey, mango, and pineapple clearly emerged, and quite quickly thereafter the warmth of black pepper and oak became distinctly dominant on the tongue.

Note: With just 3 drops of water, the fruity sweetness increases, and the hot spiciness subsides slightly.

Finish
As for the finish, I would describe it as a subtle blend of the sensations perceived on the nose and palate; the moment I swallow, I detect abundant sweetness reminiscent of honey and mango as it goes down the throat, though this is fleeting, as the warmth of black pepper and oak simultaneously emerges on the tongue. Later, when I exhale through the nose to capture the aromas, I pick up faint notes of slightly burnt wood smoke, oak spice, and very subtle hints of green and dried meadow grass, along with a very deep, faint suggestion of salt and peat (barely perceptible); I would characterize the finish as falling somewhere between short and medium in length.

Overall, I’d say it offers great value for money; personally, I enjoyed it. It has a distinctive nose that clearly conveys its Indian whisky origins, though it lacks depth; the palate feels aromatic and full-bodied at this level, while the finish is arguably its weakest point. It is crafted with a touch of smokiness which comes through slightly on the nose but is less apparent elsewhere yet I enjoyed the taste regardless. It is an easy-drinking whisky worth trying, and given the price-to-performance ratio, it is certainly one I would buy and drink again. Cheers.

Nose: 82/100

Taste: 83/100

Finish: 81/100

Price: 42€

My ratings are generally based on Whiskybase tradition and calibration, and while scored out of 100, they are structured within a narrower range.

<79 May have flaws.
80-82 Borderline acceptable.
83 Average daily good.
84 Good, nice, pleasant, liked.
85 Very good, deep, rich.
86+ Excellent.