33 open bottles in my collection ranked through multiple blind tastings. Counting them down! #5: Paul John Peated Select Cask. Single Malt Whisky from India. 55.5% ABV. NAS. Paid $84 Yes, I will be restocking this. Wow! I love Indian whisky! It’s way more expressive and more reasonably priced than Japanese whisky. This is a concentrated beast at 55.5% ABV; it’s made from imported peated Scottish barley, which is then distilled in Gao, India. The nose makes false promises of being gentle. There’s subdued smoke, and rich bourbon-influenced aromas. Maybe it’s my imagination, but like the Amrut Fusion earlier in the countdown, I get a dank, humid whiff; like jungle perspiration and honey on linen. The palate is a punch of flavors dialed to 11. The peat is a lot stronger than the nose would lead you to believe. But this is balanced by super dense barbeque sauce sweetness and bold spiciness. It is so sweet, full-bodied, and bitey that I once mistook it for Octomore 7.2 in a blind tasting. This is less than half the price of the Octomore, and I ended up rating it higher in that tasting. The sweet, fruity boldness creates the illusion of wine cask influence, when there has been none. I recommend some water added with this one. It’s can sting otherwise. MARK: 92/100 PREVIOUSLY, ON BATMAN: #6: Redbreast. $96. 43% ABV. 15 years old. 92/100. #7: Yamazaki. $74. 43% ABV. 12 years old. 92/100. #8: Lagavulin. $70. 43% ABV. 16 years old. 91/100. #9: Benromach. $65. 43%. 16 years. 91/100. #10: Talisker Distiller’s Edition. $72. 45.8%. D2000/B2011. 91/100. #11: Amrut Fusion. $76. 50%. NAS. 91/100