A Double Scotch - F. Paul Pacult

[toshie]

Anyone read Pacult's book? I dipped into it on line at amazon and I'm quite tempted

[ApriliaKen]

Go for it, Toshie.

I borrowed it from the Kirkintilloch library and enjoyed it. Factual and informed on the people who made Glenlivet and Chivas Regal major brands worldwide. Very good too on the atmosphere of the day in Highlands with the rivalry between the licensed and the unlicensed distillers.

However, there were a couple of jaw-dropping moments: including when he said the Chivas brothers were at the Bridge of Don and were looking down on to Union Street in Aberdeen -- far-sighted, indeed.

That made me wonder about how factual the rest was - but I haven't, so far, checked.

Mine's a Macallan 15-y-o Fine Oak!

Ken

[MGillespie]

Keep in mind the author is the same guy who just let Wine Enthusiast magazine name Johnnie Walker as "Distiller of the Year"!

Mark

[Lawrence]

There's a copy on ebay for US$5 right now if anybody wants a copy at a good price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %3AIT&rd=1

[corbuso]

HI Toshie,
It is not the best book I have ever read, but it is not too bad if you are interested in The Glenlivet and Chivas. I posted a short review on my website, in the section literature.

Cheers

Corbuso
------------
http://www.whisky-news.com

[toshie]

Hi Corbuso, Thanks for that. Nice site.

[ScotchBlog]

I didn't like it at all

[ScotchBlog]

Keep in mind the author is the same guy who just let Wine Enthusiast magazine name Johnnie Walker as "Distiller of the Year"!

Mark

Among the other questionable things he's written - several of which are documented on my site

[Lawrence]

Hi, where is the article on Mr. Pacault?

[ScotchBlog]

http://www.thescotchblog.com/2005/10/ho ... d_int.html

http://www.thescotchblog.com/2005/07/so ... smell.html

http://www.thescotchblog.com/2006/01/huh.html

[Admiral]

I just finished this book, and I agree with some of the more concerning issues and questions raised about the book.

To me, it's clearly been written as promotional piece, at least in so far as the Chivas Regal sections.

The history and info on the Glenlivet was extremely interesting and no doubt factually correct, but the Chivas Regal stuff just reeked of commercialism and shameless plugging/promotion.

The actual details cited also never agreed with the glowing text. For example, the author went to tedious and tiresome lengths to paint the picture that the Chivas Regal was the most popular of whiskies; the pick of the bunch, but then stated sales figures that showed that it never rose higher than 5th spot on the best-selling whiskies sales figures.

And call me picky, but it was also clearly written for American readers, rather than an international readership.

Cheers,
ADmiral

[bond]

Must say I am pretty impressed with the man. To award Johnnie Walker as the "Best" Distiller in a magazine and go on to shower praise on Chivas in a book.

Keep all sides happy and get richer in the bargain.

[corbuso]

I just finished this book, and I agree with some of the more concerning issues and questions raised about the book.

To me, it's clearly been written as promotional piece, at least in so far as the Chivas Regal sections.

The history and info on the Glenlivet was extremely interesting and no doubt factually correct, but the Chivas Regal stuff just reeked of commercialism and shameless plugging/promotion.

And call me picky, but it was also clearly written for American readers, rather than an international readership.

Cheers,
ADmiral

I can only agree with you, that the "American" style is quite pronounced, as well as the promotional aspect of Chivas. The content of the book however is in general quite interesting, altough it is not at a level of a book such as "The Legend of Laphroaig". I bought the Legend of Laphroaig last Saturday and it is an truly amazing book.