Paul John Brilliance- Indian Single Malt Whisky

Today I am reviewing a very unique whisky- Paul John Brilliance Single Malt from India. I call it unique because it is the first time I am trying an Indian Single Malt. In today's blog I will share the following information-

• My research on the history behind this whisky
• Vital Stats
• Tasting notes
• SJ's Rating
• Food Pairing
• Occasions best enjoyed & SJ's pro tip

Reads the product story " The brilliance of Goa is captured at its best to delight your senses. It is a non-chill filtered, non-peated Indian Single Malt". They use six row barley which is sourced from across the vast lands of Rajesthan & Haryana to the foothills of the Himalayas. With the higher husk content the barley produces an oilier wash which results them bottling the spirit with  at least 46% ABV. Add to that a robust and rich source of Goa water, it is a match made in heaven. 

 

Vital Stats-  Paul John Brilliance Indian Single Malt Whisky

Price- $43.99 for 750ml

Age- NAS(No Age Statement)

ABV- 46%

Country of Origin- Goa, India

Distillery- John distilleries, Goa, India

Awards won- 2016 Silver, The World Whisky Masters

Tasting info- 

Serving glass- Glencairn Whisky Glass

Serving style- Neat

Appearance-  Rich Amber 

Aroma- Very nice glenfiddich profile aroma, fruity ,vanilla, oak, spices, chocolate

Flavor- Fruit, citrus, vanilla, honey, Not too matured as it is a NAS

Body- Full 

Finish- Smooth, slightly lingering, spicy 

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf 

Very high quality Indian Single Malt but does not make it in my top shelf because of it's finish. However, it is a highly enjoyable whisky

Occasions- Casual, whisky flights

Cocktail- None, Enjoy neat 

SJ's Pro tip- Leave it in the glass for a few minutes and add few drops of filtered water for the flavors to really open up

I enjoyed sampling this unique single malt from India and so  will you. Cheers! 🥃🥃. Enjoy Responsibly! 

Not in the mood to read? Check out my Single Malt Lives Podcast insted!

Jagermeister herbal liqueur

Imagine drinking the most healthiest juice(alcohol infused 🙂 ) with the best quality of herbs & fruits extract. You are sipping this in an aromatic garden! This is how it felt like when drinking Jagermeister. It is a very popular herbal spirit that is known for it's medicinal properties as much as the famous Jagerbomb drink. 

In today's blog I will share the following information about this very special drink-

• My research on the history behind this herbal spirit
• Vital Stats
• Tasting notes
• SJ's Rating
• Cocktails
• Occasions best enjoyed & SJ's pro tip

The product story goes "Nature made it, we put it in a bottle. The highest quality herbs, blossoms, roots & fruits around the globe are crafted into 4 distinct macerates(soften by soaking) then combined in modern day alchemy into our herbal spirit. The full ingredient list is a closely guarded secret, but raise a glass to your lips and you will taste all 4 corners of the world". 

With this statement, the analogy is that they must have sourced their ingredients from all over the world. This is the beauty of drinking it and imagining what could have gone in it. Overall it is an amazing drink for good health. Now it is time to find out ! Enjoy my tasting notes 😊. I call it the most fun part. 

Vital Stats- Jagermeister herbal liqueur

Price- $30.07 for 750ml( $2.99 for 750ml for pictured sampler)
Age- Up to 1 year 

ABV- 35%

Country of Origin- Germany

Bottled by- Mast-Jagermeister SE, Wolfenbuttel

Awards won- None found

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Glencairn Whisky Glass

Serving style- Neat 

Appearance- Dark 

Aroma- Very pleasant botanicals, herbs, juniper, berries, fruits so aromatic like stepping in garden, chocolate, raspberries

Flavor- Exactly like how it smells, full of herbs, cinnamon, cloves, juniper, berries

Body-  Full 

Finish- Spicy, warm, lingering

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf 

It is top quality German crafted herbal liquor. Great as a digestif or for overall health but not meant for sipping like a single malt whisky.

Occasions best enjoyed- Casual, after dinner digestif

Cocktails- Jagerbomb(shot of Jag with energy drink)

SJ's Pro tip- Serve ice cold

This is a classic German beverage that has a huge following all over the world, I enjoyed reviewing. Enjoy one for yourself! Cheers to good health ! 🥃🥃

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead. 

Monopolowa 1782- Austrian Whisky

Hello Single Malters, reviewing Monopolowa 1782 whisky from Austria. Who knew Austria produced fine whisky and not just fine superstars like Arnold Schwarzenegger. In today's blog I will be sharing the following information-

• My research on the history behind this whisky
• Vital Stats
• Tasting notes
• SJ's Rating
• Food Pairing
• Occasions best enjoyed & SJ's pro tip

There is a long history behind this legendary whisky but is more known for its vodka. J.A. Baczewski companies enjoys centuries old world wide reputation for producing the highest quality alcoholic beverages. It roots tying back to the 17th century. Back then the company was supplying the entire Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy and all the corners of the Empire. I have to say however, there is not much information readily available on the internet wiki page about this. Now enough of the legacy, what we really care is if it is good or not. Enjoy my tasting notes!  

Vital Stats- Monopolowa Whisky 1782

Price- $23.97

Age- NAS(No Age Statement)

ABV-  43%

Country of Origin-  Vienna,Austria

Produced & bottled -  J.A.Baczewski

Awards won- Gold Medalled product of Austria

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Glencairn Whisky Glass

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Pale Gold

Aroma- Oak, pear, chocolate, honey. Similar to Buffalo trace bourbon(strange but true)

Flavor-  Sweet, Oak, honey ,caramel, lemon zest, dark chocolate, spices. 

Body- Full 

Finish- Long, smooth, warm, spicy, lingering

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf 

Reason is because it quite does  not hit the mark in aroma & flavor compared to top shelf bourbon or scotch. It is an excellent quality whisky, amazing for the price

Occasions- Whisky flights, casual drinking

Food Pairing- Chicken sandwich & fries. The higher ABV of this whisky needed a hearty meal like this one.*

Cocktails- None, enjoy neat or with club soda

SJ's pro tip- Fantastic addition to any bourbon or scotch lover's collection. Extra bonus is I felt literally "NO HANGOVER" in the morning. 

I absolutely enjoyed reviewing this fairly new kind of whisky from Austria. Check it out for yourselves to find out. Cheers!🥃🥃🥃 Enjoy Responsibly. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to mySingleMaltLives Podcast

* Food Pairing- By this I am only informing what I ate while sampling this. It is not necessary a recommendation but merely a suggestion that I enjoyed it with that food. Whisky & food pairing is a very complex subject on it's own and I continue to find out what food best compliments a particular liquor. 

This is what I follow in my tasting

When tasting single malts- No food pairing is needed because single malt is a taste in itself and food will interfere with the real flavor and also the aroma. 

Palate cleanse- After having dinner , I cleanse my palate with either black coffee or club soda like Top chico or canada dry. It gets my palate in neutral so that is can absorb the most flavor. I have written about this in my previous blog Palate clenser

As a rule of thumb pair food with the flavor of the whisky for example if you taste vanilla in your whisky pair it with vanilla ice cream. 

Blackheart Premium Spiced Rum

Today I am reviewing Blackheart Premium Spiced Rum. It goes in my Bottom Shelf & I will be sharing the following information in my blog. 

• My research on the history behind this rum
• Vital Stats
• Tasting notes
• SJ's Rating
• Occasions best enjoyed & SJ's pro tip

Very interesting Rum. It is named after the fictional, sultry, seductive pirate-Blackheart. She was strong and independent, passionate & fun, fierce & loyal. Lets see if this character comes to life with the rum. Enjoy my tasting notes! 

Vital Stats- Blackheart Premium Spiced Rum 

Price- $12.29 for 750ml($99 cents for 50ml pictured sampler)
Age- NAS( No Age Statement)

ABV- 46.5%

Country of Origin- Puerto Rico

Bottled by- Blackheart Rum Company, Bardstown,KY

Awards won- Consumers Choice award 2019, SIP awards 

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Glencairn Whisky Glass

Serving style- Neat 

Appearance- Medium Amber 

Aroma- Floral, artificial coloring medicinal smell, some vanilla & spices 

Flavor- Very clinical, medicinal , sugary, overwhelming spices 

Body- Light 

Finish- Not smooth, watery , short & non-lingering

SJ's Rating- Bottom Shelf 

Occasions best enjoyed- Casual drinking

Cocktails- Rum & coke

SJ's Pro tip- Use this rum as a mixer

I would  steer clear of this flirty pirate no matter how templating it looks! Check it out for yourselves and find out. Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly 🥃🥃🥃. Not in the mood to read?

Listen to my Single Malt Lives Podcast instead. 

El Padrino Anejo Tequila

Hello single malters, in today's blog I am reviewing El Padrino Anejo tequila. I will share the following today- 

• My research on the history behind this tequila
• Vital Stats
• Tasting notes
• SJ's Rating
• Occasions best enjoyed & SJ's pro tip

This is another big box alcohol brand. There is no website, wiki page or anything to refer to for proper information. I picked it up because of the cool looking square bottle with leather tags which is the only thing I like about it. Based on the taste and aroma it should be a reposado not an anejo. Check out my tasting notes below & enjoy!

Vital Stats- El Padrino Anejo tequila

Price- $31.99 for 750ml($5.99 for 50ml pictured sampler) 

Age- At least a year

ABV- 40%

Country of origin- Jalisco,Mexico

Produced & bottled by- Destiladora delValle de Tequila

Awards Won- None, the only award it deserves is disappointing taste

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Glencairn Whisky Glass

Serving style- Neat

Appearance-  Light, pale yellow

Aroma- Light pleasing agave hits the nose, honey, vanilla, spices

Flavor- Mildly sweet, fruity notes of citrus, spices, pepper, hint of dark chocolate. It feels like a reposado

Body- Medium

Finish- Smooth, warm, spicy & lingering

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf 

It lacks the intensity & flavor to call itself an anejo, it feels like a reposado because of its light color & flavor. I have had way better anejos than this. 

Occasions- Casual drinking

Cocktails- None, meant for sipping neat

Food Pairings- Popcorn chicken, & spicy peanuts complemented the taste of this tequila

SJ's Pro tip-  Though anejo's are meant for sipping, this does not fit the bill. I recommend other anejo's like Aha Yeto for a truely enjoyable experience.

I enjoyed the tasting like always. Even though it is not in my Top Shelf, the process of finding out the reality inside the bottle is very satisfying. Cheers 🥃🥃🥃! Enjoy Responsibly!

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast