Paul John Oloroso Select Cask Review

First we dug into the Paul John PX Select Cask and now we’re diving headlong into the Paul John Oloroso Select Cask for our next Indian Single Malt review. The modern cousin of the fantastic Paul John Oloroso it has a lot to live up to.

Like the PX, the Oloroso started life in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels (basically the Paul John Classic) and after at least 5 years gets moved into first-fill ex-Oloroso casks for another 2+ years before being dumped and bottled. Though, given how complex their whiskies are, I can’t help but wonder what a wholly Oloroso aged whisky would taste like. Given the similarities in climate I imagine it would taste like a Kavalan Sherry Cask… and that’s not a bad thing.

Paul John Oloroso Select Cask Review: Details and Tasting Notes

In Paul John’s Words:

“A special edition of Indian single malt from the sunny Goan coasts, the Oloroso is a sensational explosion of incredible flavours. With dark mahogany hues, this exquisite expression presents an aromatic tapestry of sherry influenced fragrances of peach and apricot with a light note of molassess and blood orange. Sublimely finished in Oloroso casks, its soft flavours are filed with a nutty chocolate and Melton Hunt cake. The long finish is intense and sweet with delicious heavy spices imbibed from the Oloroso casks and melded with a dash of coffee mocha and sumptuous dark chocolate.”

Paul John Oloroso Select Cask Front Label

Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)

Region: India

Distiller: Paul John
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: First-fill ex-Bourbon (~5 years) & ex-Oloroso (~2 years)
Age: NAS (~7 years)
ABV: 48%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Price: $115*

Tasting Notes

EYE
Ruby

NOSE
Printer’s ink, dried dark fruit (sticky and leathery), roasted nuts, complex baking spice and candied citrus with a strong sherry presence.

PALATE
Tidalwave of sherry pulling through malty roasty notes, candied citrus, dark fruit, olde candy, nuts, X-mas spice, cocoa and leather.

FINISH
Long -> Deep dark fruit, malt and candied citrus.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance, full body and a lightly syrupy feel.

I am loving this whisky. It’s bold, it’s rich, it has a nice complexity to it and the sherry is well done without being overly done. This is a balanced and easy drinking whisky that keeps the senses happy.

Paul John Oloroso Select Cask Review: Overall and Score

Aroma is rich and densely balanced with a warm dark quality that moves from fruity to leathery to nutty to spicy and covers a lot of ground in-between; Palate is deep and heavy with a sticky juicy quality that sits on top of what the nose brings; Finish is a perfectly complementary, darkly sweet, fadeout. This is a tasty whisky.

There’s a lot going on in the Paul John Oloroso Select Cask, it’s just fascinating to go back to over and over; this is an honorable mention and hat tip to the original PJ Oloroso. A Solid whisky with a complex delivery that reminds me a bit of some of the good sherry cask Kavalans I’ve had with how much it’s integrated an developed into the spirit. A good chewy whisky I’d like to get my hands on.

SCORE: 4/5

*Disclosure: The sample for this Indian Whisky review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.