UK allocation set at 480 bottles from a global run of 6,500
Paul John has unveiled its 2026 Christmas Edition whisky, now in its ninth year, finished in Spanish Moscatel casks. The whisky was created in Goa and was first matured in an American Oak Cask before being finished in a Moscatel Cask for 18 months. This year’s global release totals 6,500 bottles, with the UK receiving an allocation of 480 bottles.
Master Distiller Michael D’Souza describes the whisky as capturing “the spirit of Christmas in a glass.” Moscatel, described as a golden aromatic wine, is a fixture on the Christmas table in Spanish festive traditions and lends a floral, sweet character to the whisky, allowing it to stand up to rich, indulgent food, according to the release.
The release states that maturation in Goa’s tropical heat and humidity produces a whisky different to those matured in cooler climates, with a higher angels’ share, quicker maturation, and greater intensity of flavour drawn from the casks. The casks used for this year’s edition were sourced from Spain and given a three-level char.
“Since its inception in 2018, the Paul John Christmas Edition has become a celebration of both Goa’s enduring Christmas spirit and our passion for whisky craftsmanship,” said Michael D’Souza, Master Distiller at Paul John. “Each year, we create a distinct small-batch expression, bringing together carefully selected whiskies matured in an evolving palette of Spanish and Portuguese wine, rum and brandy casks. Nearly a decade on, the Christmas Edition stands as a unique Indian whisky tradition: an ongoing annual series that has continued to surprise, evolve and set its own benchmark, unlike anything else in Indian whisky.”
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According to the release, the whisky delivers orange blossom honey and light spices on the nose, developing into flavours of honeyed malt, dark chocolate, clove and nutmeg on the palate, with a long, creamy finish.
The release states that next year will mark a decade of Paul John’s Christmas Editions, and that early vintages are already sought after by collectors and whisky clubs. Paul John said it remains the only Indian single malt to have sustained an annual, evolving release of this kind.
The 2026 Christmas Edition is non-chill-filtered with no additives and bottled at 48% ABV. It retails for £65 per 70cl bottle through specialist spirits retailers.
