Paul John presents Kaarigari, a soulful journey into Indian craft

Not every brand event earns the word "experience", but this one did. On March 23, at The Humming Tree in Bengaluru, the Paul John Visitor Centre (PVJC) launched Kaarigari with an evening that moved seamlessly between craft, poetry, music, and the perfect spirit for each.

At its core, Paul John’s journey has always been rooted in excellence. Each bottle of its single malt reflects precision, patience, and the kind of artistry that defines Indian craftsmanship. This philosophy extends beyond whisky into a larger cultural commitment, exemplified by the Paul John Visitor Centre in Goa. With Kaarigari, PVJC takes on the role of a patron, celebrating India’s diverse artistic traditions and taking them to a wider and increasingly global audience. As India’s most-awarded single malt with over 390 accolades to its name, Paul John has set a benchmark in crafting world-class whisky from the country.

With Kaarigari, it built the bridge between whisky-making and Indian craft traditions.

“Kaarigari by Paul John Visitor Centre is a reflection of our deep-rooted belief in Indian craftsmanship. Through this initiative, we are proud to create a space where traditional art forms can be rediscovered, reimagined, and experienced by a wider audience in a meaningful way,” said Paul P. John, Chairman of the award-winning Paul John Indian single malt whisky.

This belief is reflected in the PVJC premises itself. It is an immersive space where visitors engage with the process, detail, and artistry behind each expression. The recognition earned by the whiskies and the Visitor Centre reflects a wider acknowledgement of Indian craftsmanship.

A journey, not a tasting

Meanwhile, at The Humming Tree in Bengaluru, guests entered an opening walkthrough that set the tone for Kaarigari immediately. Intricate wooden artistry lined the space, each piece a meditation on process and detail and an echo of what happens inside a distillery cask.

Whisky introductions or “expressions” followed the logic of storytelling rather than a tasting. Paul John's Nirvana arrived first, followed by global brand ambassador Heemanshu Ashar’s ceremonial opening pour of Brilliance, marking the evening's official beginning. Each expression, whether Nirvana, Brilliance, and the subsequent PX and Madeira, surfaced at moments chosen for their emotional resonance, not its place on a schedule. The Madeira arrived last as a closing note, bringing the night to what felt like a natural resolution. By that point, the culinary spread of regional Indian flavours had woven itself into the narrative.

If there was a centrepiece, it was the performance by poet Priya Malik and sitar player Mehtaab Ali Niazi. Malik's verses and Niazi's strings combined to form an unforgettable immersive experience that unfolded during the PX expression.

Kaarigari signals a more forward-looking intent to create a platform where Indian excellence across forms finds new relevance and reaches wider audiences. The Bengaluru edition, the company says, is the first of many. Until then, for one evening at least, whisky was the least complicated thing in the room while everything else did the talking.

Disclaimer: Alcohol consumption is injurious to health. Drink responsibly.

Disclaimer: The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.