Single Malt Amateurs Club and Paul John jointly Release the First of Two Expressions, Alter and Ego

Goa – India, October 15, 2022: Single Malt Amateurs Club (SMAC), India’s foremost single malt whisky appreciation club in India, and John Distilleries, creators of the Great Indian Single Malt, jointly release the first of two expressions, ‘Alter’ and ‘Ego’. Alter-Ego was inspired by Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and conceptualised to display the many facets of a single malt whisky, with drastically diverse flavours from the same distillery, truly bringing out the duality of man.

Alter’, the first of the duet, consists of a rich, amber peated sherry whisky, matured for 6 years and complemented with a finish in an Ex Madeira-cask. This release explores the duality of whisky by utilising the same ingredients and distillery but with very different maturing processes to bring two unique taste profiles to market. Further enunciating the dyadic nature of the set, the designs evoke two sides of the same coin. A masterpiece on its own, but with the collection, ‘Alter-Ego’ is a sight to behold.  

 

"Cask 6028 was our first exclusive bottling with Paul John, and it offered members of SMAC a peated whisky with a lovely rim of sea salt. It was a great hit, and we are delighted to work with John Distilleries for yet another special, limited-edition Single Malt. 'Alter' is characterised by distinctive notes of a sherry nuanced with the Madeira cask; the Whisky interlaces tropical dry fruits of raisins, dates, and figs. The palate shines through with medicinal peat & iodine finishing with a natural coastal salt rim and sweets," observes Hemanth Rao, Founder of the Single Malt Amateur Club.

Whisky Details:

  • Whisky Type: Single Malt Peated
  • Cask: Ex Madeira & Single Cask
  • ABV: 50%
  • No added colour
  • Non-Chill Filtered
  • Cost: 10,000 INR
  • Note: 276 Units of Alter

“Alter is one of those rare magical whiskies that are not just about tasting notes but the shape, depth and overall experience it offers, and it has to be said, this is pretty close as good as it gets,” said Michael D’Souza, Master Distiller at John Distilleries.

Tasting notes from Michael D’Souza:

  • Colour – Reflections of copper and tints of amber.
  • Aroma – Rich aromas of orange blossom honey with hints of ginger syrup, salted caramel, and a proffering of fruit cake.
  • Palate – An excellent balance of gentle citrus with sweet, lightly smoked honey enhanced with delicious, canned fruit.
  • Finish – Long and delectable with lingering notes of deep cocoa and smoked hazelnut.

 

The release will be accompanied by SMAC’s annual pilgrimage to the Paul John Visitor’s Centre for an intricate tasting session and culminating in a gala; the launch is set to be an experiential process, rather than an event.

Responsible for persuading critics the world over that Indian Whisky was here to stay, John Distilleries was founded in 1996 by Paul P John. Paul John, their flagship Single Malt brand is their crowning achievement in the space, winning international acclaim and awards, and making its mark on the western-centric world of whisky. From the tropical climate of Goa to international appeal, Paul John Single Malts have been awarded The Liquid Gold Award by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, Best Indian Single Malt Award along with the Best Asian Whisky Award, the Double Gold Award from San Francisco World Spirits Competition & Chairman’s Trophy by the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

Established in 2011, Single Malt Amateur Club has been at the forefront of the whisky appreciation movement in India, bringing new vigor and popularity to the liquor and taking Indian Whisky to newer heights than were previously established. Having the honor to attend and gain access to new and exclusive Indian Whiskies, such as Paul John’s first ever single-cask release in 2020, has allowed SMAC to place itself at the forefront of the Whisky landscape. Alongside annual Whisky tours in places such as Singapore and Goa, SMAC is a propagator of whisky culture.

 

About John Distilleries:

Founded in 1996, John Distilleries has established itself as one of the leading spirit companies in the country. In less than two decades the company has a firm global reputation and a slew of award-winning liquors, crowned by their Single Malt offering, Paul John Whisky. John Distilleries has made a worldwide impression with Paul John, which was first released in the UK before making its way back home. Their committed stance to consistently deliver products of the highest purity, quality and affordability has provided the path forward and upward in the world of Whiskies and more. For more information on John Distilleries and their offerings, please visit www.jdl.in & www.pauljohnwhisky.com.

About The Single Malt Amateur Club (SMAC):

Single Malt Amateur Club (SMAC) was founded in 2011 as a platform for amateurs, professionals and connoisseurs to share experiences and their passion for single malt whisky. SMAC believes whisky is for everyone, and the 'Amateur' tag was added to empower members to shed their inhibitions and speak. With over 4000 registered members across the globe, this rapidly growing club curates' whisky tours, tasting sessions, master classes, and produce exclusive bottling, merchandise and glassware. True to its inclusive spirit, SMAC offers free membership to whisky lovers across the world. For more information visit: https://smacindia.com/

 

 

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