Having introduced us to the delights of Indian whisky, Paul John, chairman of John Distilleries in Goa, has created XO, a 100% Indian grape brandy. Distilled from Ugni Blanc and Bangalore purple grapes, this expression is matured in medium toasted new French limousin oak casks before being bottled at a strength of 46% abv.
The nose has gentle honeyed notes of fresh figs, strawberry liquorice, orange zest and butterscotch with a slight herbal quality. The palate brings complex yet brilliantly balanced notes of cranberry and rum raisin, before a sweet caramel finish with a touch of toasted oak.
