WHAT ARE YOU READING NOW? (whisky books only)

[The Dazzler]

What are you reading now as far as whisky books? I am looking through a Whisky Mischellany by Iain Slinn and I find myself flicking forward looking for bits to read. I think the Jackson Companion is the best book out there at the moment, it has a wee bit of everything from history to how whisky is made and then the stuff on distilleries and tasting notes. Jim Murray, his bible is by far the most comprehensive as far as tasting notes from distilleries from around the world. (And up-to-date) The Whisky Year book is good as it reminds me of getting the Broons annual each Christmas. And Charlie MacLean is the best when it comes to history and knowledge of the industry.

Are there any smaller named books which should be reccomended, I have Pip Hills, Appreciating Whisky, Misako Udo, The Scottish Whisky Distilleries and The Making Of Scotch Whisky by John R Hume and Michael S Moss that I would reccomend as some lesser known books available.

Salinte!!

[les taylor]

Just started Aenas Macdonald's Whisky. Amazing to think it was first printed in 1930. He never used the pseudonym Aenas Macdonald again after writing this book. His real name was George Malcom Thomson.

[irishwhiskeychaser]

Just started Aenas Macdonald's Whisky. Amazing to think it was first printed in 1930. He never used the pseudonym Aenas Macdonald again after writing this book. His real name was George Malcom Thomson.

Finished that a couple of weeks ago ... can't recomend it enough... handy sized book and nice easy read and still very relevant today.

Don't think I'd take it as my desert island book though, as Charles McClean suggests, as it is a bit too short for that.

[les taylor]

Just started Aenas Macdonald's Whisky. Amazing to think it was first printed in 1930. He never used the pseudonym Aenas Macdonald again after writing this book. His real name was George Malcom Thomson.

Finished that a couple of weeks ago ... can't recomend it enough... handy sized book and nice easy read and still very relevant today.

Don't think I'd take it as my desert island book though, as Charles McClean suggests, as it is a bit too short for that.

IWC it could be a very small Island that you're only going to spend a short period of time on.

[Ian Buxton]

...or maybe Charlie MacLean is a very slow reader!

[Haigblend]

Yesterday bought myself a small book by Gavin D. Smith Whisky a Brief History published in 2007.
The book looks to me more intended for the novice.

There is some other stuff:

The Whisky Men
Gavin D. Smith

and

Peat, Smoke and Spirit (about the Islay whiskies, it's history, present and past of all the distilleries)
Andrew Jefford

I enjoyed them very much !!!!!


There is more to enjoy, not only in how one enjoy the taste, but also history
Need some othet titles just let me know.


Haigblend
Holland

[Lawrence]

Currently reading the latest issue of the Malt Advocate, WM Issye 64 and The Whisky River by Robin Laing.

[corbuso]

Currently reading the latest issue of the Malt Advocate, WM Issye 64 and The Whisky River by Robin Laing.

And enjoying the whisky river? I have ordered last week, but I don't really know what to expect.
Currently, trying to finish reading "Scotch: The liquid History" from MacLean, but the book is not the most motivating one to read and will be glad to start a new one.

[Deactivated Member]

I now have a few unread whisky books, but due to work overload and time pressures, they are having to remain unread.

[Reggaeblues]

"Just started Aenas Macdonald's Whisky. "

Les, how do you pronounce "Aenas?"

Methinks someone's parents were a tad unkind...not to mention "heinous"!

[les taylor]

"Just started Aenas Macdonald's Whisky. "

Les, how do you pronounce "Aenas?"

Methinks someone's parents were a tad unkind...not to mention "heinous"!

RB it's pronounced Aenas. His real name is George. Aenas was what he chose for himself. I've postponed my reading of it until my holiday later in the month.

[Deactivated Member]

Mr Picky sez that's spelled "Aeneas". Not at all sure of pronunciation, but would guess "N e s" (say the letters).

[les taylor]

Mr Picky sez that's spelled "Aeneas". Not at all sure of pronunciation, but would guess "N e s" (say the letters).

Mr Picky is quite right.

So would that be pronounced Ae Nes then?

[Deactivated Member]

Say it out loud, Les: N e s. Enn-ee-ess.

[les taylor]

Say it out loud, Les: N e s. Enn-ee-ess.

So you mean N- E- S.

[Deactivated Member]

No, I mean N e s...accent on the first syllable. For all I know, though, it could be n A s. (No age statement!)

[martin grant]

Picked up a copy of Misako Udo's Scottish Whisky Distilleries book a few weeks ago. A great book, packed with information.

Perfect for the smallest room in the house

[Oliver]

Back in Paris, I happened on a a box of old books from my youth, and am now reading the bluffers guide to Whisky. Prescient and very amusing!!
Anyone else read it?

[jmrl]

Just finished Hans Offringa's The Road To Craigellachie. An easy and engaging road book of whisky. Most of us could do this if we could string a sentence together. Trust he got the spelling right for the new book on Laphroaig! A bit like Tom Morton's Spirit oif Adventure. Also reading Robin Laing's Whisky River, again a pleasing read without the depth of Ulf Buxrud's excellent Rare Malts but with much more readability.

[Willie JJ]

No, I mean N e s...accent on the first syllable. For all I know, though, it could be n A s. (No age statement!)

According to my classicist daughter it is pronounced eye-nee-ess. I believe her. She is nerdy .

[LeoDLion]

I have been waiting for Peat, Smoke and Spirit which I ordered from Amazon a month ago. They are out of stock and wont have any until next year Jan 2008.

I received my copy of Whisk(e?)y Magazine but I am reserving to read this in the plane on my way to San Francisco for the Christmas holiday with families.

[Willie JJ]

Currently reading the latest issue of the Malt Advocate, WM Issye 64 and The Whisky River by Robin Laing.

And enjoying the whisky river? I have ordered last week, but I don't really know what to expect.
Currently, trying to finish reading "Scotch: The liquid History" from MacLean, but the book is not the most motivating one to read and will be glad to start a new one.

Reading 'The Whisky River' just now. It is an enjoyable read and contains interesting nuggets of info. I think the subtitle 'Distilleries of Speyside' is more accurate though. It is really just a compendium of distillery profiles. There is not much to contextualise the distilleries into Speyside as a region (if such a thing exists).

[hook55]

I'm reading 3 books the first is Michael Jackson's WHISKY World Guide, and Jim Murry's Bible 2006, ( Yes I know I'm behide the times!) the last one is Michael Jackson again the Whisky Companion, I am enjoying all three. (in between drinks of course.)

[jmrl]

Two thirds of the way through Stuart Delves' Great Brand Stories - Scotch Whisky. Although some of the content won't be new to most readers it is the refreshing approach to the subject which makes this book such a good read. the author genuinely has a flair for imaginative writing. His chapter about the angels share is really inspired. He tells the whisky story as a product representing a country's real and manufactured identity. Some passages are enlightening from an historic point of view, more than my B pass at O' grade History managed. If you want a break from the fine but formulaic distillery descriptions and bottling reviews then I can recommend this- hopefully the last third isn't pants.

[Willie JJ]

I just (this minute) finished Arthur Swinson's Scotch on the Rocks. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed reading a book related to whisky that much. It is the true story of the SS Politician which grounded in the sound of Eriskay in 1941 with a reputed 24,000 cases of whisky aboard. It is of course the story on which Whisky Galore was based, and Swinson's account is, if less lyrical, just as entertaining as Compton McKenzie's novel. Maybe it means more to me because I know the place as my brother-in-law lives on South Uist, but regardless, the book is great.

I looked for a picture of the sound, which is now bridged by a causeway, but couldn't find one. This pic is from the West coast of Eriskay looking North to South Uist.

[mikeymad]

I have been poking at the Whisky Yearbook 2008. I really like it.

I always have a Jim Bible and a Michael book around for reference.

Cheers,

[Ryguy]

I've been reading through my latest purchase. Michael Jackson's Whiskey - The Definitive World Guide, what a great book with some really good information. I'm enjoying it so far.

[Willie JJ]

Last night I finished reading Allen Andrews' The Whisky Barons. Great bios of Jimmy Buchanan and Tommy Dewar alongside a fascinating account of Francis Berry's role during the prohibition in the US. Also had me thinking about seeking out a range of blends to explore. There's so much to learn and so little liver.

[jmrl]

I liked the touch of quirk and irreverance the author had. Never heard of him before or since.

[Di Blasi]

I've recently gotten Kevin Erskine's book "Instant Expert's Guide to Single Malt Scotch, 2nd edition" and am looking very forward to diving in sometime soon.

[Iain]

Last night I finished reading Allen Andrews' The Whisky Barons. Great bios of Jimmy Buchanan and Tommy Dewar alongside a fascinating account of Francis Berry's role during the prohibition in the US.

Great book - can't understand why it's not better known. Unlike many others, it gives lots of previously unpublished info and a fresh, original approach. So many others just rehash Craig, Moss & Hume and a few other books.

[dylanf84]

Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch 5th Edition. I'm going to buy the Whisky Bible 2008 and the Malt Whiskey Yearbook 2008 in the near future probably, so I can have the 3 most popular ones up on my bookshelf for my reading pleasure.

[Maccy]

I am half way through Philip Hills' book Appreciating Whisky; and a very fine book it is indeed.

I've just picked one up called "The Whisky Men" which looks like a bit of an historical insight into the distilleries - I shall wait and see.

[MacDeffe]

Bourbon, Straight

by Charles K. Cowdery

Good book about american whiskey, enlightning me about an area I didn't know much about

/Macdeffe

[jmrl]

Belles, Bluegrass and Bourbon from 1967, political incorrectness a sign of the era but otherwise okay, lots of references to what must be vanished distlleries and previous owners compared to today.

Whisky Men agreat rad especially about Delme Evans and George Christie. Appreciating Whisky seems to be difficult to find a copy of.