Words by Ed King
Paul John Single Malt Whisky invites you to enjoy their ‘Indian Summer’ with two tasting events this August – as presented by The Birmingham Whisky Club.
There’s a film/cocktail combo at The Electric Cinema on Thursday 17th August, followed by a more extensive tasting session at The Wellington on Friday 25th. We’ve gone into a little more detail about each event below, but for direct info and booking from The Birmingham Whisky Club, click here.
But first a little background… Paul John Indian Single Malt Whisky is distilled in the small(ish) Goan town of Cuncolim – mainly known for its large church, larger private hospital, and sewing the violent seeds for the eventual liberalisation/invasion of the Portuguese stronghold. What better place to brew moonshine.
Straddling the NH66 (or the Panvel/Kochi highway) Cuncolim is a prime place on the modern silk route to distribute domestically produced liquor – a vice that’s not officially welcome in every pocket of India, but one that fuels the tourist trade of the Konkan coast line.
And whilst the neighbouring state of Maharastra has become quite prominent for its wine in recent years, Goa is still the place for beer and spirits – between a Kingfisher and a seven year Old Monk (or a Honey Bee, should you have a taste for formaldehyde) most restaurants and hotels in ‘The Pearl’ are on a constant lookout for more premium products. So if you’re going to start a single malt distillery anywhere in India, Goa’s probably your best bet. Or the Foreign Correspondents Club in Delhi.
So what are these August tasting sessions all about then? On a mission to booze up every corner of Birmingham, in the most refined way of course, The Birmingham Whisky Club has come up with two cross promotions to whet your whistle with some Paul John Indian Single Malt Whisky – have a looksie below:
Thursday 17th August / The Darjeeling Limited cocktail tasting @ The Electric Cinema
Serving two whisky cocktails – prepared by the owner of the cocktail taster menu magnificence that is Smultronställe (Go Team Birmingham) – we are invited to sit back, relax and watch Wes Anderson’s film about frustrated bothers. You know, the one set on a train that runs through North East India… like haggis in St Ives. But who really cares when it’s Wes Anderson and cocktails from Smultronställe. Doors open at 8pm, with tickets to this sub continental love in priced between £25.50 – £30.30 (+booking fee). For direct info and online booking, click here.
Friday 25th August / A Taste of Goa with Paul John Indian Single Malt
Now this looks like fun. Paul John Single Malt Whisky’s UK brand ambassador, Shilton Almeida, will be walking us through five of their ‘delicious whiskies’ and ‘delectable drams’. On the menu are: Paul John Brilliance, Paul John Edited, Paul John Bold, Paul John Classic, Paul John Peated – with some background, history and the ‘many personalities of Goa’ that surround each single malt being presented by Mr Almeida. Just a shame we won’t be sitting on the banks of the 
Mandovi, but The Wellington will do. Until the end of monsoon, anyway. Tasting starts at 7pm, with tickets priced at £20 (standard) or £15 to members of The Birmingham Whisky Club. Or direct event details and online booking, click here.
For more on Paul John Indian Single Malt, visit www.pauljohnwhisky.com
For more from The Birmingham Whisky Club, including full event listings and online ticket sales, visit www.thebirminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk
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For more on The Electric Cinema, visit www.theelectric.co.uk
For more on The Wellington, visit www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk
For more on Smultronställe, visit www.barsmultronstalle.co.uk
