Whisky Books

A Glass Apart: Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey

"A must read book for any fan of Irish whiskey. At a time when the category is making the mightiest of comebacks Fionnán O'Connor has written a gem of a book, digging deep in to the heart of his country's whiskey history and telling its story with style and authority. Excellent." Dominic Roskrow, Founding Director, The Craft Distillers Alliance

A Long Stride: The Story of the World's No. 1 Scotch Whisky

A Long Stride tells the story of how John Walker and a succession of ingenious and progressive business leaders embraced their Scottish roots to walk confidently on an international stage. By doing things their own way, Johnnie Walker overturned the conventions of late Victorian and Edwardian Britain, survived two world wars and the Great Depression, coming back stronger each time, to become the first truly global whisky brand, revolutionising the world of advertising along the way.

Alt Whiskeys: Alternative Whiskey Recipes and Distilling Techniques for the Adventurous Craft Distiller

Learn to make 50 alternative whiskeys: from bourbons to single malts to moonshines. The recipes use alternative grains, craft beer inspired ingredients like hops, and smoked grains to expand the distiller’s creative palette.

American Whiskey, Bourbon & Rye: A Guide to the Nation's Favorite Spirit

The bible of American whiskeys, bourbons, and ryes has been updated! Arranged alphabetically by distillery and then brand, this expanded and revised edition offers histories, ratings, and tasting notes for over 300 whiskeys - with more than 100 entirely new entries. Each section includes the contact information of the featured maker, along with its various products.

Appreciating Whisky: The Connoisseur's Guide to Nosing, Tasting and Enjoying Scotch

Appreciating Whisky offers the reader detailed, structured knowledge on how to develop his or her palate for whisky.

A Teacher's Tale

Another book given to me when representing the brand back in Maxxium UK days - all about Teacher's scotch whisky.

Beer Hunter, Whisky Chaser: New Writing on Beer and Whisky in Honour of Michael Jackson

The collaborators represent a roll of honour from drinks writing: (in alphabetical order) Stephen Beaumont, Dave Broom, Ian Buxton, John Hansell, Julie Johnson, Charles MacLean, Hans Offringa, F Paul Pacult, Roger Protz, Lucy Saunders, Conrad Seidl, Carolyn Smagalski and Gavin D Smith. All have donated an original essay - without fee - to Beer Hunter, Whisky Chaser.

Bourbon: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of an American Whiskey

Bourbon is not just alcohol -- this amber-colored drink is deeply ingrained in American culture and tangled in American history. From the early days of raw corn liquor to the myriad distilleries that have proliferated around the country today, bourbon has come to symbolize America.

Buffalo, Barrels & Bourbon

Buffalo, Barrels, & Bourbon tells the fascinating tale of the Buffalo Trace Distillery, from the time of the earliest explorations of Kentucky to the present day. Author and award-winning spirits expert F. Paul Pacult takes readers on a journey through history that covers the American Revolutionary War, U.S Civil War, two World Wars, Prohibition, and the Great Depression.

Campbeltown Whisky: An Encyclopaedia

Poet and historian Angus Martin was born in Campbeltown in 1952 and has lived there all his life. In this, his thirty-seventh book, he has employed his intimate knowledge of the history and families of his native community to produce the definitive account of the distillers, distilleries and related trades and industries which transformed a small West Highland fishing town into the whisky-making capital of the world.

Cask Management for Distillers

Designed to give distillers of all levels a better understanding of the spirit maturation process. Chapters detail important considerations and concepts such as the effect of wood species on maturation and spirit quality, the chemistry underlying cask aging, the selection of the best casks, and how to manipulate a number of important variables to best achieve your desired spirit profile.

Charles MacLean's Whisky Tales

For centuries, whisky has tickled the palettes of the famous and the infamous alike, the good as well as the downright sinful. In this study, Charles MacLean pours a lifetime's passion and knowledge of Scotch whisky into an extraordinary array of anecdotes about this popular drink and those who have loved it from Robbie Burns, Scotland's best-loved poet, to comedian Dave Allen.

Chasing the Dram: Finding the Spirit of Whisky

Whisky is Scotland's national drink and has been for over five hundred years, since then becoming a global phenomenon. It is a drink that is a profound and important part of Scottish life and culture but, unlike other countries and their national libations, it has hardly been used in food. Rachel McCormack is going to change that with this book.

Cutty Sark the making of a whisky brand

As I recall, I was given this book as a gift after The Edrington Group had purchased the brand from Berry Bros & Rudd. All about the Cutty Sark brand of course.

Famous for a Reason: The Story of the Famous Grouse

From humble beginnings in Perth in the early nineteenth century Matthew Gloag established a thriving whisky business that found favour with the royal household and the Scottish public alike. The family business he established struck gold in 1896 when they created the The Famous Grouse - a blended whisky that became a national favourite.

Field Guide to Whisky, A: An Expert Compendium to Take Your Passion and Knowledge to the Next Level

A Field Guide to Whisky is a one-stop guide for all the information a whisky enthusiast needs. With the whisky market booming all over the world, now is a perfect time for a comprehensive guide to this popular brown spirit.

Fire Water: Experimental Smoked Whiskeys

Take your craft brewing and distilling to a whole new level with Fire Water: experimental smoked malts and whiskeys. This book focuses on smoked whiskey, malt, and beer with an emphasis on techniques to maximize smoke flavor and intensity. 80 different woods and other smoke fuel sources were used to create flavor profiles for the distiller or brewer looking for creative recipes.

From Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover's Guide to Ireland

From medieval monks to recent renaissance, From Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover's Guide to Ireland includes everything you need to understand, appreciate, and mix one of the world’s fastest-growing (and most delicious!) spirits.

Goodness Nose: The Passionate Revelations of a Scotch Whisky Master Blender

Richard Paterson has Scotch whisky running through his veins. His grandfather and father were both prominent in the Scotch whisky industry in Glasgow for decades before Richard joined a competing whisky brokerage firm to start his apprenticeship. But this is no dry textbook on blending. Far from it. Humour, insight, history, a love of people and an abiding and evangelical passion inform every page. For the first time one of the world's foremost whisky blenders reveals how he rose through the ranks to top of his profession.

Great Brand Stories Scotch Whisky

This book looks at Scotch as an uber-brand and tells the story of its enduring spirit. All individual whisky brands rely on the "Scotch" brand to win new customers and retain the loyalty of existing ones. Stuart Delves provides a fascinating examination of how such a brand evolved across the world, its unique role in the industry, its future, and the key lessons for other brands.

Japanese Whisky, Scotch Blend: The Japanese Whisky King and His Scotch Wife Rita

Japanese Whisky, Scotch Blend is the story of one man's determination to succeed, both in business and love, despite criticism and cultural barriers. It is also the story of a young girl's move to Japan, a land of unfamiliar customs and even stranger language, her joys and heartaches, the struggle of life during the second World War, and her determination to build a family home.

MacLean's Miscellany of Whisky

In these pages are all you need to know to appreciate the world's finest spirit, and Scotland s most generous gift to the world. How has whisky changed over the past hundred years and why? What gives it its beautiful amber colour? How do its simple ingredients water, barley, yeast and perhaps a whiff of peat come together to produce such a diversity of flavours? What changes have taken place in distilling, and bottling, and marketing the 'Water of Life'? Why have some distilleries closed, while others have flourished? How should Scotch be best enjoyed? Are there really three degrees of drunkenness? Wide ranging in its scope, yet served up in easily digestible portions, liberally spiced with quirky and unusual stories and quotations, MacLean's Miscellany of Whisky delves seams which have been previously ignored, opens up long-closed galleries.

Maker's Mark My Autobiography

This book is all about the Maker's Mark brand (clearly!) and it was given to me when working with this fantastic American brand.

Malt Whisky: The Complete Guide

Malt whisky has captured the hearts of spirits drinkers worldwide, especially in recent years. This fully revised and updated edition of the award-winning Malt Whisky is now in a handy portable size, making it the perfect companion for touring Scotland s distilleries. First published in 1997, the book has been printed in six languages and continues to be a key reference on the subject. Charles MacLean is a world authority on Scottish whisky and in this book he explores the history of malt whisky. He explains how whisky is distilled, how the ingredients added at each stage of the process contribute to the flavour of the finished product, and the contribution made by geography to the style and character of individual malts.

Malt Whisky Yearbook 2021: The Facts, the People, the News, the Stories

This is one of my favourite drinks books. Whisky enthusiasts all over the world look forward to the Malt Whisky Yearbook every autumn. This 16th edition is again fully revised and packed with new and up-to-date information on more than 400 whisky distilleries from all over the world. Distinguished whisky experts contribute with new features written exclusively for this new edition along with details of hundreds of whisky shops, whisky sites and new bottlings.

Return to the Glen: Adventures on the Scotch Whisky Trail

by Richard Grindal

Scotch Missed: Scotland's Lost Distilleries

This is a revised third edition of the hardback published in 1993 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first documentary records of the making of Scotch whisky in 1494. Brian Townsend has now detailed the remnants and ruins of almost every Victorian working distillery in Scotland. In this new edition he has fully updated the most recent closures and has sourced over 35 new archive photographs of many of Scotland s lost distilleries.

Scotch: The Whisky of Scotland in Fact and Story

A classic work on Scotch and its origins, Lockhart's book has long been regarded as a whisky classic. Including the foreword written by his late son in 1995, fully updated and revised, this book covers some of the lesser known episodes in the industry's history.

Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History

Whisky is widely considered the finest spirit in the world and its history has evolved against a fascinating backdrop. This is the story of a traditional spirit with an intriguing past. The book explores and unfolds, decade by decade, the history, secrets and untold tales surrounding one of the world's most popular tipples. Beginning as far back as 2000 BC, the tale moves through the centuries to the present day, looking at the fascinating characters who smuggled, bribed, conspired and advertised with a vengeance to turn whisky from a common man's drink into an integral and admired part of popular Scottish heritage. Their dedication to the 'water of life' comes through the eyes of Charles MacLean, giving the book a personal and insightful perspective on this spirit.

Scotch Whisky by Gavin D. Smith

Scotland's Secret History: The Illicit Distilling and Smuggling of Whisky

Illicit distilling in Scotland was seen as a 'right of man' at the end of the 17th century. Attempts to enforce excise duty on the spirit were therefore met with resistance, ranging from riots to more and more ingenious ways of avoiding paying tax. In this book and Charles MacLean and Daniel MacCannell give a fascinating insight into the day-to-day struggles that led to the increase in illicit distilling from the mid-1600s, then to its eventual demise in the early twentieth century.

Spirit of Place: Whisky Distilleries of Scotland

A new handbook sized editon of Spirit of Place, a wide-ranging and evocative portrait of Scotland's distilleries, with text by renowned whisky expert Charles MacLean and photographs by Lara Platman and Alan MacDonald.

Stillhouse Stories - Tunroom Tales

In this informative and entertaining series of interviews leading whisky writer Gavin D. Smith reveals the workings of the Scotch whisky industry in a series of interviews with characters who have lived and worked in the business of making Scotch.

Tasting Whiskey

Whiskey drinkers are discerning when it comes to their favourite spirit. In this complete appreciation of every kind of whiskey, readers will learn how whiskey is made and how to taste it. Lew Bryson explains the differences among the four types of whiskey (and when it should be spelled whisky) and discusses the regions where they are made, the process of tasting, and how to collect and age whiskey.

The Big Man of Jim Beam

This book is the biography of Booker Noe, sixth generation Beam Master Distiller and Jim Beam's grandson. I never met him but did meet his son, Fred Noe, a few times whilst he was visiting the UK. This book by award-winning author Jim Kokoris, a close friend of Booker Noe and the Beam family, chronicles Booker's life from his boyhood in small town Kentucky through to his rise to bourbon prominence.

The Complete Whiskey Course: A Comprehensive Tasting School in Ten Classes

The definitive book on understanding and appreciating the exploding world of whiskey. Renowned whiskey educator Robin Robinson demystifies the "water of life" in a definitive, heavily illustrated tome designed to take readers on a global tour of the ever-expanding world of whiskey.

The definitive guide to buying vintage Macallan

This book on Macallan single malt may be slightly out of date but still interesting if someone is looking to read into the history of the brand or has some old stock at home.

The Definitive Guide to Canadian Distilleries

This is an indispensable guide to the past, present and future of Canada's distilleries. Written by bona fide Canadian spirits expert Davin de Kergommeaux, this book covers more than 200 of the most exciting and cutting-edge distilleries, large and small, who are shaping the industry today.

The Distilleries of Campbeltown

This book is a new addition to my collection and it refers to the rise and fall of Campbeltown, the Victorian whisky capital of the World.

The Founder's Tale: A Good Idea and a Glass of Malt

This is the story of how one man, with a bit of help from his friends, created a revolution in the hitherto staid world of Scotch Whisky. But by creating the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, he gave whisky drinkers access to the finest distilled liquor on the planet - and what's more, he had a great time doing it.

The Great Drams of Scotland

This first book by Greg Dillon was selected as our Book of the Month for October 2017.

The History of the Distillers Company, 1877-1939: Diversification and Growth in Whisky and Chemicals

The Distillers Company (DCL) existed from 1877 until 1986 when it was acquired by Guinness. This book covers DCL's history from its founding as the merger of six firms to its position as one of Britain's largest manufacturing companies with diversified interests around the world. It is an extraordinary story of growth, acquisition, and diversification.

The Making of Scotch Whisky: A History Of The Scottish Whisky Distilling Industry

The Making of Scotch Whisky marked a revolution in the understanding of Scotland's most famous industry when it was first published, and remains the standard work - if you can secure a copy of the first edition - for whisky buffs and trade alike. This revised edition takes account of changes in the industry since the book's publication in 1981, as well as incorporating new research into earlier periods.

The Pocket Guide to Whisky

This first book by Blair Bowman was selected as our Book of the Month in May 2017.

The Schweppes Guide to Scotch

The Schweppes Guide to Scotch was a 1983 publication written by Phillip Morrice. Detailing the industry at that time, it contains details of the companies operating at the time and their brands. History and production information is included too. A book that was considered to have been well ahead of its time.

The Science and Commerce of Whisky

Since the publication of the first edition in 2014, the whisky industry has continued to change. This book provides the reader with an overview of the latest academic research and industry best practice in an accessible and authoritative format. Despite the recession, new distillation capacity has been added at a record pace and new consumers in new markets have entered the arena. Distillers are experimenting with new finishes, packaging and marketing techniques and amongst consumers there is a hunger for knowledge and informed commentary.

The Secret Still. Scotland's Clandestine Whisky Makers

This work covers Scottish illicit distilling. It examines the historical events and legislation that gave rise to, and sustained, its "boom" years. During those times, the Scottish countryside, and even city centres, teemed with "sma' stills" and were awash with whiskey which had been distilled without payment of excise duty. It follows the fortunes of the illicit distillers as successive governments tried to prevent them from plying their trade, and chronicles its decline after the first quarter of the 19th century. Not that illicit distilling ever disappeared in Scotland, contrary to popular belief, and the recent past - and present - is far from neglected.

The Spirit Of Whisky

This is an affectionate portrayal of the Scotch whisky industry. Using the anecdotes, incidents and discussions which the author has come across in the 20 years he has been associated with the business, he describes the way in which whisky is distilled, its history, traditions and myths. From distillery to peat bogs and the smallest bar in Invernesshire, the reader gains an insight into the magic which surrounds the making and partaking of the "amber nectar".

The Way of Whisky: A Journey Around Japanese Whisky

An in-depth, personal journey around Japan's whisky distilleries. Award-winning author and Japanese whisky expert, Dave Broom, tells their story and unveils the philosophy that lies behind this fascinating whisky culture, and how it relates to many Japanese concepts.

The Whisky Barons

The success of today's whisky industry is largely due to the commercial drive and foresight of a select group of whisky merchants who took the business by storm in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This is the story of how Dewar, Buchanan, Walker, Bell and Mackie established their brands and kick-started the industry. The men had much in common: they were all Scots from humble beginnings, served long apprenticeships and ultimately set out on their own to build their companies.

The Whisky Dictionary: An A-Z of whisky, from history & heritage to distilling & drinking

This is the drinker's guide to every aspect of whisky, from Scotch to Japanese, rye to bourbon and beyond. With hundreds of entries covering everything from history, ingredients and distilling techniques to flavour notes, cocktails and the many varieties of whisky from all around the world, renowned whisky expert Ian Wisniewski explores and unlocks the wonderful world of a drink like no other.

The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom

Around 1885, Alfred Barnard was secretary of Harper's Weekly Gazette, a journal dedicated to the wine and spirit trade. In order to provide his readers with the history and descriptions of the whisky-making process, Barnard decided to visit all distilleries in Scotland, England and Ireland. Accompanied by friends, he visited over 150 distilleries.

The Whisky River

The Spey has been referred to as the Whisky River, with half the distilleries in Scotland found along its length and in its surrounding glens. Robin Laing has set out to visit every distillery in the Speyside area, from Benromach to Tomintoul, and presents a guide to each of them here.

The World Atlas of Whisky

Award-winning author and whisky expert Dave Broom explores over 200 distilleries and examines over 400 expressions. Detailed descriptions of the Scottish distilleries can be found here, while Ireland, Japan, the USA, Canada and the rest of the world are given exhaustive coverage.

Whiskey America

What can we expect from the best whiskey producers in America today? Whiskey America showcases some of the most exciting new styles of whiskey and why they are so special. With fascinating interviews with some of the leading characters in the recent distilling revolution, this absorbing book relates the stories of how successful lawyers, doctors and city slickers made the life-changing decision to turn their backs on conventional careers to pursue the 'good life' of making spirits in the most far-flung outreaches of America.

Whiskey and Philosophy: A Small Batch of Spirited Ideas

Everyone becomes a philosopher with a drink in hand, but Whiskey & Philosophy takes this natural pairing to a new level. It explores a range of philosophical topics related to whiskey through engaging reflections written by philosophers, whiskey writers, and others.

Whiskey Distilled: A Populist Guide to the Water of Life

In this lively and authoritative guide, Greene uses bright visuals, an easy-to-read format, and the familiar vocabulary of wine to teach readers about whiskey and encourage them to make their own evaluations. Peppered with wry anecdotes drawn from her unusual life--and including recipes for delicious cocktails by some of today's most celebrated mixologists.

Whiskey Women: The Untold Story of How Women Saved Bourbon, Scotch, and Irish Whiskey

Shortly after graduating from the University of Glasgow in 1934, Elizabeth “Bessie” Williamson began working as a temporary secretary at the Laphroaig Distillery on the Scottish island Islay. Williamson quickly found herself joining the boys in the tasting room, studying the distillation process, and winning them over with her knowledge of Scottish whisky. After the owner of Laphroaig passed away, Williamson took over the prestigious company and became the spokesperson in America for the entire Scotch whisky industry. Impressing clients and showing her passion as the Scotch Whisky Association’s trade ambassador, she soon gained fame within the industry.

Whisky A Tasting Course: A New Way to Think – and Drink – Whisky

The best way to find out about whisky is by drinking it. Perfect for the whisky curious, this truly hands-on handbook helps you to discover your own personal whisky style, opening up a world of new whiskies to enjoy. Tailored tasting sessions steer you through the full spectrum of whisky's aromas and flavours - from the smoky tang of Islay peat to the sandalwood scents of Japanese oak.

Whisky Classified: Choosing Single Malts by Flavour

This book on single malt whisky makes an excellent guide for all whisky drinkers, from the novice to the connoisseur. Single malt whisky is the fastest expanding sector of the booming whisky market.

Whisky Dream: Waking a Giant

Waking up a Dream - putting Bruichladdich distillery back to its feet. I picked this book by chance and read it during the holidays. Well worth checking it out as it shows the story of Bruichladdich distillery prior to the purchase by Remy.

Whisky Island: A portrait of Islay and its whiskies

In Whisky Island, Islay's fascinating story is uncovered: from its history and stories of the many shipwrecks which litter its shores, to the beautiful wildlife, landscape and topography of the island revealed through intimate descriptions of the austerely beautiful and remote countryside. Interleaved through these different narrative strands comes the story of the whiskies themselves, traced from a distant past of bothies and illegal stills to present-day legality and prosperity. The flavour of each spirit is analysed and the differences between them teased out, as are the stories of the notable men and women who have played such a integral part in their creation.

Whisky Japan: The Essential Guide to the World's Most Exotic Whisky

Japanese whisky is finally getting the international recognition it deserves. Originally created to emulate the malts of Scotland, Japanese whiskies now hold a distinct and unique place among other world-class spirits.

Whiskypedia: A Gazetteer of Scotch Whisky

Why does Scotch whisky taste as it does? Where do the flavours come from? How might they have changed over the years? The flavour of Scotch whisky is as much influenced by history, craft and tradition as it is by science. Whiskypedia explores these influences. Introductory sections provide an historical overview, and an explanation of the contribution made by each stage of the production process. Each entry provides a brief account of the distillery's history and curiosities, lists the bottlings which are currently available, details how the whisky is made, and explores the flavour and character of each make. Charles MacLean has spent thirty years researching, writing and lecturing about Scotch whisky.

Whisky Science: A Condensed Distillation

This is a book about the science behind whisky: its production, its measurement, and its flavor. The main purpose of this book is to review the current state of whisky science in the open literature. The focus is principally on chemistry, which describes molecular structures and their interactions, and chemical engineering which is concerned with realizing chemical processes on an industrial scale.

Whisky: Technology, Production and Marketing

Whisky: Technology, Production and Marketing explains in technical terms the science and technology of producing whisky, combined with information from industry experts on successfully marketing the product. World experts in Scotch whisky provide detailed insight into whisky production, from the processing of raw materials to the fermentation, distillation, maturation, blending, production of co-products, and quality testing, as well as important information on the methodology used for packaging and marketing whisky in the twenty-first century.

Whisky: The Definitive World Guide

In this sumptuous coffee-table guide from the world's bestselling whisky writer, Michael Jackson reveals the secrets of the aromas and flavours found in whisky, the stories behind great distilleries around the world, and offers his expert tasting notes for their must-try whiskies.

Whisky: The First Definitive Book on Whisky

This is in the opinion of many whisky writers and experts the finest whisky book ever written. It is certainly the first written from the point of view of the consumer and is thus hugely historically significant. But more than that, poetic and polemic in style and with its emphasis on the importance of single malt whisky and its concern to protect and inform the consumer, it remains fresh and relevant to the interests of today's whisky drinker. It is a remarkably prophetic book, and with Ian Buxton's shrewd commentary and analysis, combined for the first time with period illustrations, it is brought bang up to date for today's generations of whisky aficionados.

Whisky: The Manual

This highly accessible and enjoyable guide is full of practical and fascinating information about how to enjoy whisky. All whisky styles are covered, including (just whisper it) blends. Along the way a good few myths are exploded, including the idea that whisky has to be taken neat. In 'What to Drink', Dave Broom explores flavour camps - how to understand a style of whisky - and moves on to provide extensive tasting notes of the major brands, demonstrating whisky's extraordinary diversity.

Whisky Wit and Wisdom: Light and Quirky Stories from Inside the Whisky

Deals with the whisky world's lighter and quirkier side. Contains wit and interesting pithy comments and history about whisky.

Wood, Whiskey and Wine: A History of Barrels

For over 2,000 years barrels have been used to store and transport a diverse array of commodities around the earth. The story of the barrel - from its earliest form, crafted by the Celtic tribes of northern Europe in the first millennium BC, to its contemporary uses - sheds light on the history of human development and technology.

Wort, Worms and Washbacks: Memoirs from the Stillhouse

The memoirs of John McDougall, one of Scotland's best known whisky distillers. The book covers his time in the industry from 1963 to 1999, during which McDougall has worked in distilleries in Speyside, Ayrshire, Islay and Campbeltown, before setting up his own business in Kelso.