Raw Spirit

Book Description

A tour of Scottish distilleries explores the history, personality and mystery of the water of life.

As a native of Scotland, bestselling author Ian Banks has decided to undertake a tour of the distilleries of his homeland in a bid to uncover the unique spirit of the single malt.

Visiting world-famous distilleries and also the small and obscure ones, Iain Banks embarks on a journey of discovery which educates him about the places, people and products surrounding the centuries-old tradition of whisky production.
Using various modes of transport -- island ferries, cars across the highlands and even bicycles -- Banks’ tour of Scotland combines history, literature and landscape in an entertaining and informative account of an exploration in which the arrival is by no means the most important part of the journey.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Very funny.......2007-07-30

This is a travel book -- where the "perfect dram" is not just what you are drinking, but who you are drinking it with. It's highly entertaining, and despite just having come back from two weeks in Scotland, I want to go right back and see about much of what he writes about...I feel like I missed so much!

If you are looking for a book on whisky and distilleries, this isn't it. If you're looking for a book on enjoying whisky in your life, it's the greatest book written.

Great crack!.......2007-02-20

Reviews are matters of personal opinion, so the other reviewer (only one as I write this) is welcome to his/hers. But I think he/she kind of missed the point of this book. This isn't supposed to be a Michael Jackson review of single malts, though I have to say I like Banksie's taste in whisk(e)y. It's not even supposed to be a tour guide of distilleries, though he does a nice job of calling attention to the most beautiful, warmest, most full-featured (those who still malt their own grains) distilleries and visitor shops. I'd certainly suggest having a wee dram of whatever Banksie recommends, and having personally toured a number of distilleries, I'd also follow up on his recommendations there.

That said, the point of this book is to talk about all of the above with wit and humor and a personal slant that no one else could really bring to the subject. And at that the book absolutely excels. The personal history this quintessentially Scottish author recounts brings these places to life in a way that no photograph ever could (despite the astonishing beauty of some of the places he writes about).

In Scotland, there's a complimentary observation one makes about people who know how to tell a good story, or entertain somehow by their mere presence -- such a person is said to have "great crack". It's fun to be around someone like this because they make things interesting by sheer force of personality. Iain Banks has great crack! And he waves it about in the pages of this book. It's just plain fun to read, from the humorous observations about friends volunteering to help him on his whisk(e)y trek, to the sadly accurate portrayal of the imperialist insanity of the Bush administration, to the wry, honest self revelations and deprecations regarding affectations and tastes in building climbing, motorways, and restaurants, to the beautiful homages to the Scottish countryside. Iain Banks loves life, writing, Scotland, whisk(e)y, science fiction, and a million other things, and despises politics and corruption (who doesn't!), and he shares these tastes in a clever, sweet, and funny way.

Obligatory full disclosure: I'm a great fan of the science fiction work by this author, under the name of Iain M. Banks, and quite love some of his non-science fiction work (sans M.) as well. I've also had the pleasure of meeting him once, through a mutual friend, Malcolm Crosbie, of Shooglenifty fame. I would have found the autobiographical notes throughout this book fascinating had I not cared one wit for single malt or Scotland, and I love both (well, all three, including Banksie, as his friends call him).

Buy this book for a good, fun read, akin to say, a Terry Pratchett book about a bizarrely recognizable Discworld known as Scotland.

Where's The Editor?.......2004-03-25

It seemed like a good idea - well known author and scotch drinker travelling around Scotland sampling malt whiskeys and writing about his experiences.

Sadly, this book is at least 100 pages too long. Either Banks suffers from loggorhea or his publisher forgot to hire an editor. The sections on whiskey were entertaining and illuminating, but the travel bits - especially Banks' political writing - were stupefying.

Book Description

A full-color relief map of Scotland's whisky landscape with regional tasting notes, distillery profiles and an index of lost distilleries. For whisky lovers, this new map will be essential for your bookshelf or library wall.

Average customer rating:

Malt Whisky
REPRINT
A "Must Have" Book on Malt Whisky
mouthwatering photography
A beautiful expression of the Scotch Whisky experience

Malt Whisky
Charles MacLean
Manufacturer: Mitchell Beazley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch
Maclean's Miscellany of Whisky
Whiskey: The Definitive World Guide
Scotland and Its Whiskies: The Great Whiskies and Their Landscapes
Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History

ASIN: 1845332407

Book Description

Scotland’s national drink is available in more than 300 brands, styles, and ages, reflecting the diversity of the Scottish people themselves. This beguiling buyer and collector’s guide features 250 color photographs, maps, and illustrations, and combines the fascinating story of Scotch whisky’s origins with an explanation of the distilling process, including how the various waters, malts, peats, and barleys used affect the flavor and value of the mature product. Tips for conducting a proper tasting session and a directory of whisky societies are provided, as well as tasting notes for the products of every Scottish whisky distiller operating since World War II.

Customer Reviews:

Malt Whisky.......2005-09-02

An excellent "coffee table" book and initial review of the history of the industry, the best known distilleries and their products.

REPRINT.......2003-08-21

You may be interested to know that the reviews you are reading are from a previous edition of this book, and that this edition is a reprint. CAVEAT EMPTOR. The Scotch Whiskey industry is constantly changing. Nice photos yes... current information? i hope so.

A "Must Have" Book on Malt Whisky.......2000-01-29

This is one of two "must have" books on Scotch Malt Whisky. It contains a wealth of information and is beautifully illustrated. This book contains a detailed analysis of the unique flavors in malt whisky which can be found no where else. Charles MacLean is a legend in Scotch whisky circles, and this fabulous book is his best work. If you love Malt Whisky, buy this book.

mouthwatering photography.......1999-03-11

thanx for tour,always browsing for something new. sorry but ill never quit sippin JACK DANIELS,the one true love. all made in of all places,the hills of Tennessee.

A beautiful expression of the Scotch Whisky experience.......1998-06-25

An entertaining history? An absorbing how-to? A tasting guide without the attitude? This book is a joy from start to finish, not the least because it suprises one who has become jaded from tomes on wine and spirits which are by turns tedious and elitist. Malt Whisky, by Charles MacLean, is primarily a one-stop summary of the entire range of the single-malt scotch experience, aimed at the enthusiast rather than the researcher. The first impression is of the sheer beauty of the book; the specially commissioned photographs by Jason Lowe are a marvelous treat, and the entire production is attractively laid-out and of high quality. Mr. MacLean is a writer of elegance and restrained wit, never bogged down in minutae but also never one to skip over the interesting or enlightening detail. It is a difficult balancing act, and the measure of his success is the pleasure in every sentence.

Although the book is not intended as a comprehensive reference, there is a wealth of information in the six main sections: History, How Whisky is Made, How to Enjoy Malt, The Whisky Regions, the Directory, and the Appendices. Of special note are the directory and appendices. The directory is a comprehensive list of all distilleries which are operating, silent or mothballed, as well as those closed since WWII, and includes tasting notes for selected versions of these malts. The appendices are ready for the Age of the Internet; they contain addresses and web sites for whisky societies worldwide, distilleries and retailers. They also give information on retail sources for rare and unusual bottlings, collectors' guidelines, and distilleries which give tours or welcome visitors.

Malt Whisky was a lot of fun to read, and it will continue to be both fun and useful for those who enjoy the romance of whisky and the experience of a good single-malt, but also need information to help pursue and expand their pleasure. Make a space for this on your bookshelf.

The Malt Whisky File: A Connoisseur's Guide to Malt Whiskies and Distilleries
Average customer rating:

Handy "field guide" to single malt scotch

The Malt Whisky File: A Connoisseur's Guide to Malt Whiskies and Distilleries
John Lamond
Manufacturer: Wine Appreciation Guild
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch

ASIN: 0932664938

Book Description

A must for lovers of a wee dram or two, this directory of Scotland's and Ireland's malt whiskey distilleries includes remarks on color, flavor, nose, and finish, along with numerical ratings of sweetness, peatiness, and availability. Historical and travel notes and a pronunciation guide round out the volume.

Customer Reviews:

Handy "field guide" to single malt scotch.......1999-04-29

I already have this book and am buying a copy for a friend who also enjoys single malt scotch. The coverage is probably not comprehensive, and the descriptions are brief, but I find this a good introduction to the regions, the distilleries, and their products. There is some history and anecdotal information, which adds to the interest. The "peatiness" ranking and the information on availability and price are especially helpful.

Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch: The Connoisseur's Guide to the Single Malt Whiskies of Scotland

Average customer rating:

Excellent for reviews and consistency, with some reservations
Can't go wrong with this book!
Wonderful Reference
Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch
Great to Pair with a bottle of scotch

Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch: The Connoisseur's Guide to the Single Malt Whiskies of Scotland
Michael Jackson
Manufacturer: Running Press Book Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Whiskey: The Definitive World Guide
The Instant Expert's Guide to Single Malt Scotch (2nd Edition)
Scotland and Its Whiskies: The Great Whiskies and Their Landscapes
Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible: The World's Leading Whiskey Guide from the World's Foremost Whiskey Authority
The Malt Whisky Map of Scotland

ASIN: 076240731X

Amazon.com

He's written shamelessly for more than a decade and a half about his passion for 12- and 15-year-olds. He's described his dalliances with loves named Heather and Peat and some three dozen named Glen. His name is Michael Jackson. Relax. We're talking here about the Britain-based, award-winning drinks and spirits writer and author of, among other classic reference works, Michael Jackson's Beer Companion.

In Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch, devotees of the dram can peruse the latest revised edition of the 1989 work. In 336 pages brimming with maps, photos, and informed overview of factors such as geography and flavor components--even proximity to the sea--Jackson sketches the evolution of Scotch whisky, from the prebottling days, when shopkeepers like Johnnie Walker and the Chivas Brothers would create their own blends for sale, to the late-1960s and 1970s' surge of individual distilleries marketing their own bottlings. Lamentably labeling the former as a time when "orchestrations drowned out the soloists," Jackson provides some sweet sheet music of his own: 294 pages are devoted to an A-to-Z review (including full-color labels and tasting notes) of more than 800 singles from "every Scottish malt distillery that has ever witnessed its product in a bottle." It's the perfect book to take to your local liquor store next time you're trying to navigate the high shelf of Scotland's highlands, lowlands, and islands. You may laugh at Jackson's description of Auchentoshan Select's "oily" nose with "hints of citrus zest" or Aberlour 10-year-old's "mint-toffee" bouquet. But you'll be laughing out of the other side of your haggis when you actually smell them. All the notes are well researched and designed to appeal to Cardhu-carrying connoisseurs, as well as those who'd just like to know more about Bowmore. In his introduction, the author describes a whisky's finish as "a crescendo, followed by a series of echoes. When I leave the bottle, I like to be whistling the tune." Scotch drinkers will find plenty to wet that whistle in Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch. --Tony Mason

Book Description

Michael Jackson is renowned for his pithy wisdom and a remarkable ability to evoke aromas and flavors. This fully revised and expanded edition of MICHAEL JACKSON'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO SINGLE MALT SCOTCH is the definitive guide to single malt whisky and its producers worldwide. The completely new introduction incorporates Jackson's most recent research on the origins and evolution of the water of life, the nature of aromas and flavors, and regional differences. The book's core is the comprehensive A-to-Z of single malts, arranged by distillery. Each entry offers a new introduction and key information, and features Jackson's evocative, highly regarded tasting notes and ratings. This edition features a refreshed design, specially commissioned photographs of distilleries, and more than 1,000 tasting notes.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent for reviews and consistency, with some reservations.......2007-05-06

Michael Jackson's "Complete Guide To Single Malt Scotch" is an encyclopedic collection of scotch knowledge and reviews of the most common offerings from every one of the nearly hundred malt distilleries in Scotland.

The book starts off by offering a concise education about the origins of scotch, interpretation of scotch labels, flavors, regional variations and factors that influence the taste of scotch all distilled down to less than eighty pages with numerous color pictures.

After you read the first section you will have a some idea about the decisions that affect the taste of your scotch, for example you might be able to tell whether the dram in your glass was matured in bourbon cask or a sherry cask and make some educated guesses about the shape of the copper stills that the scotch was distilled in.

However the first section was just the warm up. The real meat of the book is the second section which is an exhaustive listing of the most common offerings from every one of Scotland's roughly hundred or so malt distilleries with reviews written in Michael Jackson's signature concise style and a ranking on a 100 point scale. If you're like me you'll find yourself reading the first section and then coming back to both sections periodically for quick reference on a particular distillery or region. The second section is more of a reference and not meant to be read linearly.

And now I come to what makes this book unique. Michael Jackson is almost pathologically consistent in his review ratings, more so than the other popular whisky reviewers e.g. Paul Pacult. Taste is highly personal and subjective so it is unlikely you will agree with any one reviewer's ratings 100% of the times however Michael Jackson is very consistent about the factors that he rates well. I found that he especially appreciates robust full bodied whiskies with complex taste with no big surprises i.e. the nose should be a fairly good indicator of what the whisky will deliver in the mouth. Predictability is a fine quality in a reviewer.

So while you may not always agree with him, reading his reviews and the ratings gives you a fairly good idea of what to expect from the whisky. This is what makes Michael Jackson such a great author. That and the encyclopedic listing of reviews makes this book a must buy for a scotch enthusiast like me.

Cons? Just a few. Like other Amazon reviewers have noted, he devotes an excessive amount of print to rare and expensive offerings that the average scotch drinker will never come across in his lifetime. Also his reviews are too concise. I would recommend getting this book for its unique merits but also looking into the writings of other scotch reviewers like F Paul Pacult, Jim Murray and Dave Broom who have a more engaging and conversational style of writing, and will help round out your scotch education.

Can't go wrong with this book!.......2007-04-02

I bought this a few years ago coinciding with my introduction to whiskey (Balvenie Double Wood purchased at the Duty Free @ Gatwick). It was because of this book that I visited Scotland to delve into the mystery of Scotch Whiskey. I went to Glenfiddich, McCallum, and Abelour solely on Michael Jacksons' recommendations. I don't have the greatest pallet in the world but Jackson has been dead on for even a novice such as myself. I would have never picked up a Highland Park, Ardbeg, or Craigenmore if had not been for him.
Great book!

Wonderful Reference.......2007-02-22

This was a gift for my husband and he has enjoyed the reviews immensely. He feels they are right on target and most informative.

Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch.......2007-01-15

Excellent, comprehensive reference for anyone who enjoys single malt scotch whiskey.

Great to Pair with a bottle of scotch.......2007-01-10

The book is easy to read and was a great pairing idea with a bottle of scotch for a lucky recipient

Average customer rating:

focussed on the rare...

Malt Whisky Companion
Michael Jackson
Manufacturer: Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch
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ASIN: 1405302348

Customer Reviews:

focussed on the rare..........2005-05-13

I have the 1999 edition of this authors' book & it remains possibly the best edition.This new 2004 edition is more devoted to rare malts the likes of which many of us won't ever see/taste/afford. He unfortunatly focuses more on these rare bottlings at the expense of reviewing more commonly available (& affordable!) malts.For example,he doesn't discuss the 12,15 & 17 yr Bowmores,all fine,reasonable-priced & readily found.He fails to mention Laphroig's "UIGEDAIL" malt, offers poor reviews of "Fettercairn" & appears to have mis-stated alcohol content a few times.This edition is also more focussed on special-finishes; port,rum,claret etc.It also shows no shortage of his almost bizarre tasting notes "fiddlehead ferns with butter" and "starched linen".Yikes! Generally a good reference book with some decent photos & notes-of-interest... but not without it's disappointments.

Average customer rating:

Free SF Reader
Nice format--needs work
An ideal reference and guide
A good book for novices; little interest for aficionados
Great book for naming your Scottish Terrier puppy.........

Single Malt and Scotch Whisky
Daniel Lerner
Manufacturer: Konemann UK Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch
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Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible: Over 2500 Whiskeys Tasted, Evaluated and Rated

ASIN: 3829004184

Customer Reviews:

Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

A very useful guide to Scotch. It goes into detail of the various areas that the fine liquid comes from, and the differences between them.

You get tasting information, and it also serves as a nice long list of things to try and get a taste of. A tasting session and scoring is detailed at the end.

Nice format--needs work.......2007-06-08

One of the strengths if this book is a very pleasing format that uses the subjects themselves as decorative illustrations. A picture here is worth more than a thousand words. The introductory matter is informative and well presented. Unfortunately a glaring error present in a former edition is perpetuated in the current volume. Laphroaig is labeled as a northern highland scotch, when it is clearly labeled and well known as coming from a distillery on the southern coast of Islay. The fact that this mistake appears in another edition makes one wonder whether poor editing or poor research is at root. In all, a nice little volume. However, if you can only get one refernece book on the topic, get Michael Jackson's.

An ideal reference and guide.......2007-03-05

Knowledgeably compiled and expertly organized by Daniel Lerner, "Single Malt And Scotch Whisky" is an informed and informative 199-page reference guide to more than two hundred brands and varieties of scotch whisky. This superbly illustrated, newly revised and expanded addition covers the varieties, strength, aroma, flavor, and distinguishing characteristics of each cited brand. Comprehensive, 'reader friendly', and easily portable, readers will begin with an informative introductory chapter on 'How to Use this Book', and then move on to learn about the distilling process, what constitutes Scotch Whiskey, labels, and more. Enhanced with the inclusion of a glossary, a resource guide, and a comprehensive index, "Single Malt And Scotch Whiskey" is clearly an ideal reference and guide which is very highly recommended for novice whiskey drinkers, restauranteurs, barkeeps, and collectors.

A good book for novices; little interest for aficionados.......1998-11-11

Daniel Lerner's primer on Scotch whisky (no "e" allowed!) is a useful book primarily for those with no knowledge of the subject- as Mr. Lerner admits he himself was when he embarked on this project. As a single-malt enthusiast but by no means an expert, I bought this book for its promised survey of and tasting notes on more than 100 whiskies. I regret to say that I was disappointed.

The greatest liability of the book is in the tasting notes, which are often vague, frequently simplistic, and rarely informative. Part of this is doubtless due to the rather scattershot tasting methods employed, described in an appendix by the author; however, if you're looking for detailed information on which whiskies match your personal tastes, this is not the book to buy.

For the beginner, perhaps, this manual, with its glossy color photography and useful general overview of the process of whisky production, is a decent buy; next time, however, I'll spend more money to get a more detailed book.

Great book for naming your Scottish Terrier puppy................1998-08-24

Excellent information and background on the scotch whiskey. They all sounded delicious. However, I could not find any description of the Glenfidicch.

Scotch: A Journal of Single-Malt Whiskies

Average customer rating:

Scotch: A Journal of Single-Malt Whiskies
Alma Lee
Manufacturer: Insomniac Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch

ASIN: 1895837871

Book Description

A beautiful journal to guide you through a world of scotch; with pages to paste labels and record comments when tasting scotch.

Classic Malt Whisky (Classic Drinks Series)

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Classic Malt Whisky (Classic Drinks Series)
Ian Wisniewski
Manufacturer: Prion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1853754137

Book Description

These stylish, expert guides to the world¹s classic drinks sport handy bar-top formats and a lavish array of color photos and illustrations. Superbly written by leading authorities, they are excellent practical reference books and ideal gift books for connoisseurs.

Already available in the Classic Drinks Series: Classic Blended Scotch; Classic Bourbon, Tennessee and Rye Whiskey; Classic Brandy; Classic Gin; Classic Irish Whiskey; Classic Rum; Classic Tequila and Classic Vodka.

Single-Malt Whiskies of Scotland: For the Discriminating Imbiber

Average customer rating:

For the discriminating reader

Single-Malt Whiskies of Scotland: For the Discriminating Imbiber
James F. Harris , and Mark H. Waymack
Manufacturer: Open Court Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch
The Instant Expert's Guide to Single Malt Scotch (2nd Edition)

ASIN: 0812692136

Book Description

Single-malt scotches are the world's exalted and sublime spirits, the culmination of centuries of folk culture, canny workmanship, scrupulous adherence to exacting standards, and a touch of elusive mystery. This book, by two American philosophers, provides a map of the cosmos of single malts for the intelligent and discerning enthusiast. It is far from being a mere 'bar guide', though it does include detailed entries for 67 single malts.

Customer Reviews:

For the discriminating reader.......2000-03-27

Why did I assign only three stars to this wonderful book? Waymack and Harris need to produce another edition--I'm dying to know what they think of the more recent Balvenie. This edition's entertaining and informative discussions of major single malts and the distilleries producing them whet my desire to know what has improved in the last eight years. The section on how to hold a whisky tasting still stands, and the recipes are great! Read it so that you too can wait with bated breath for a revision.

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