Goa: Indian single malt whisky producer Paul John has unveiled its 2026 Christmas Edition, the ninth release in its annual festive series. Distilled in Goa, the limited-edition whisky is finished in Spanish Moscatel casks, bringing floral aromas, honeyed sweetness and warming spice to an expression designed for the festive season. The release continues the brand’s approach of combining Indian ingredients and tropical maturation with distinctive international cask influences.
The 2026 Christmas Edition is an unpeated single malt initially matured in American oak casks before undergoing an additional 18 months of finishing in Moscatel casks. Moscatel, an aromatic golden wine associated with Spanish festive traditions, contributes floral and sweet characteristics to the whisky. The resulting expression is intended to complement rich festive foods while offering a distinctive profile within Paul John’s annual limited-edition collection.
Michael D’Souza, Master Distiller at Paul John, described the release as capturing “the spirit of Christmas in a glass”, highlighting the contribution of the Moscatel casks to its character. The finishing process builds on the distillery’s established maturation approach while introducing flavours associated with Spanish wine traditions.
Paul John’s single malts are produced using Indian six-row malted barley and distilled in traditional copper pot stills at the company’s Goa distillery. The whisky matures in charred American oak casks under the region’s tropical climatic conditions, where higher temperatures and humidity influence the interaction between spirit and wood. Compared with maturation in cooler climates, Goa’s conditions can accelerate flavour extraction and increase evaporation, commonly known as the angels’ share.
Radico Khaitan Q2FY27 Results Net Profit Jumps 66.5% as Premium Spirits Portfolio Drives Growth
Scotch Malt Whisky Society Launches First Blended Scotch Whisky, The Blender’s NotebookThe distillery also incorporates specialised cask finishes across its portfolio to develop distinctive flavour profiles. In the 2026 Christmas Edition, the Spanish Moscatel casks provide an additional layer of floral sweetness and spice, differentiating the release from conventional American oak-matured expressions.
Paul John has built an international reputation through its Indian single malt range, receiving recognition at global spirits competitions. Its annual Christmas Edition has developed a following among whisky enthusiasts and collectors, with previous releases attracting interest because of their limited availability.
The 2026 edition is positioned as a premium festive offering, with an indicative retail price of approximately £60 to £80. Its limited production and seasonal positioning are expected to appeal to collectors and consumers seeking distinctive Indian single malts for the Christmas period.
About the Author
