Paul John, India’s most awarded single malt whisky, is delighted to unveil this year’s much-loved annual Christmas Edition, now in its ninth year. The 2026 release is finished in Spanish Moscatel casks, giving the whisky soft florals and sweet honey notes alongside a spiced warmth that Master Distiller Michael D’Souza describes as capturing “the spirit of Christmas in a glass.”
Created on the tropical shoes of Goa, this festive expression is an unpeated whisky that was first matured in an American Oak Cask and finished in a Moscatel Cask for 18 months. Moscatel, 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 stand up to rich, indulgent food.
What sets Paul John’s whiskies apart is the maturation in Goa’s tropical heat and humidity resulting in a whisky different to those matured in cooler climates. The angels’ share is higher, maturation moves quicker, and the spirit typically draws a great intensity of flavour from its casks. Finished in casks sourced from Spain and given a three-level char, this year’s Christmas Edition inherits that same generosity of character.
“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,” shares Paul John’s award-winning Master Distiller, Michael D’Souza. “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.”
The resulting golden whisky delights with orange blossom honey and light spices on the nose, developing into rich flavours of honeyed malt, dark chocolate, clove and nutmeg on the palate, with a long, creamy finish.
Next year will mark a decade of Paul John’s Christmas Editions, cementing the releases as genuine collectibles within the category, with early vintages already sought after by collectors and whisky clubs alike. Paul John remains the only Indian single malt to have sustained an annual, evolving release of this kind.
Every annual Christmas Edition has become a highlight for whisky lovers across the world. This year’s global release totals 6,500 bottles, with the UK receiving an allocation of just 480 bottles. Enthusiasts are encouraged to secure their bottles early, as previous editions have become highly sought-after collectibles, and once they’re gone, they’re gone!
As with all Paul John whiskies, the 2026 Christmas Edition is non-chill-filtered with no additives, bottled at 48% ABV, delivering tropical sweetness, warming spice and creamy richness. It retails for £65 per 70cl bottle through specialist spirits retailers.
