You may be familiar with John Distilleries as being one of the premium Indian single malt producers, however, their XO Indian Brandy is right up there in quality alongside their whiskies.
Paul John XO Indian Brandy is a luxurious spirit that marries together classic Cognac-production techniques with Indian influences to produce a ‘new world’ style of brandy. Distilled from a combination of Ugni Blanc and Purple Bangalore grapes and matured in select French Limousin oak casks for a minimum of 10 years, this XO is rich with tropical fruit and spice notes.
TL;DR – A lesser known Cognac, this is a must-try VSOP thanks to its versatility—perfect for sipping neat or as a sophisticated base in cocktails.
Review: Flavor Camp
Photo: Reece Sims
Flavor Camps
Overall Rating
Total Score: 35/50
Aroma: 6.5/9
Taste: 5.5/9
Finish: 3/5
Distinctiveness: 5/5
Overall Drinkability/Balance: 6/9
Value for Price: 5/8
Appearance: 4/5
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Deep Amber - The bottles are definitely statement pieces
- Aroma: Dried tropical fruits are abundant on the nose. Candied mangoes, overripe peaches, rum-soaked raisins, honey and spiced vanilla are present.
- Taste & Mouthfeel: On the palate there's a zesty gingery spice and tannic oak that give way for toasted almond, orange peels, sultanas, and a touch of cinnamon.
- Finish: The finish is short but leaves you with more tropical fruits and vanilla oak.
- Distinctiveness: This is definitely a 'warm climate' brandy - the overripe tropical fruit notes are distinctive. This brand is aged in Goa, India btw.
- Overall Drinkability & Balance: For those who like a fruitier style of brandy, this will definitely hit the mark. Overall however, there is somewhat of an imbalance between the fruit and floral/wood/spice notes, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Product Details
- Distiller: Meukow
- Type: Brandy
- Age: 10 Years minimum
- Still Type: Not disclosed
- Cask Type(s): New French Limousin oak casks
- Origin: Goa, India
- Composition: Ugni Blanc Grapes & Bangalore Purple Grapes
- ABV: 46%
- Blend not disclosed
- Price: $150-170 CAD (2024)
Comments / Notes:
Three things to remember:
- Indian Craftsmanship: Produced by the Paul John Distillery in Goa, India, using a combination of Indian and Ugni Blanc grapes
- Cognac Inspiration: Aged in French oak barrels, it mirrors cognac-style production while showcasing local terroir
- Award-Winning: Known for its smooth, well-balanced profile with notes of dried fruit, vanilla, and spice, earning accolades globally
- Crushable / Daily Drinker
- Cocktail Worthy
- Special Occasion Sipper Only
- Weird & Wonderful
- Skip It
Food Pairing Recommendations: Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Smoked Fish, Pepperoni
Cocktail Recommendations: Brandy Crusta, Mai Tai
