Paul John Whisky’s soon-to-be-launched Mithuna has been declared the 3rd Finest Whisky in the World by esteemed whisky reviewer, Jim Murray, in his acclaimed Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2021.

Set to be released worldwide in November, Mithuna is the second expression of the Zodiac series (representing Gemini) of Paul John Indian single malt from John Distilleries, a leading Indian spirits company.

Murray named Beam Suntory’s Canadian bottling, Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye, ‘World Whisky of the Year’.

Stagg Jr. from Sazerac Company has been named the 2nd finest whisky in the world. In total, nine whiskies from Sazerac received top honours in their categories. Sazerac, the largest family-owned distilled spirits company in the United States, is an active stakeholder in John Distilleries.

Mithuna scored a 97 and has also been awarded Asian Whisky of the Year 2021, while its predecessor in the Zodiac series, Kanya, was named Asian Whisky of the Year in the 2018 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible with a score of 96.

In describing Mithuna, Murray says, “If Mithuna means ‘Ultimate’, then it is the perfect name. Or maybe Mithuna means ‘Perfect’; then it is pretty close. It is that very rarest of things. If nothing else, it announces Paul John Distillery on the world stage of truly great distilleries. This is a whisky to devour…while it devours you.”

Says Paul P. John, Chairman and Managing Director of John Distilleries: “For our whisky to be declared the world’s 3rd is perhaps the greatest achievement a whisky maker could possibly dream of. This speaks especially of the passion and dedication of our Master Distiller, Michael D’Souza.”

The characteristics of Gemini are epitomised by this Indian single malt as mesmerising layers of austere, dry tannins, challenged in equal measure by resplendent sugars and mocha on delicate oils. Sophisticated aromas of liquorice with gentle beeswax lead to a luxuriant delivery of ulmo honey on crisp toast, and tender notes of vanilla.

Chewy flavours of coffee mocha, orange peel and delicate spice float on active tannins while gentle oils enjoy a gist of dark cocoa tones. The finish is gratifyingly long and complex with multi-toned sugars and delicate honeys.

Murray tastes more than 4,700 whiskies for his yearly edition, and in his ranking system, any whisky which scores in the 94-97.5 range is deemed by him as “superstar whiskies that give us all a reason to live”.

Jim Murray is a legend and leading player on the world’s whisky stage. It is now over 25 years since he became the world’s first-ever full-time whisky writer. The 2021 edition of his Whisky Bible marks the 18th year of annual publication.