Ultimate Must Have

[Elagabalus]

What is the *ONE* book everyone from the newbie to the old guard enthusiast, should have? On whisky of course.

[TheLaddie]

Malt Whisky Yearbook 2008

[Ian Buxton]

Here's my Top Ten Must Have Whisky Books.

Only one title from any one writer. Titles shown in alphabetical order of author's surname to avoid upsetting anyone!

The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom. Alfred Barnard

Scotch. Robert Bruce Lockhart

It's a bad thing whisky, especially Bad Whisky. Ed Burns

The Scotch Whisky Directory. Philip Hills

The World Guide to Whisky. Michael Jackson

Whisky. Aeneas MacDonald

Scotch Whisky - a Liquid History. Charles MacLean

The Making of Scotch Whisky. Michael Moss & John Hume

The History of the Distillers Company, 1877 - 1939. Ronald B Weir

Whisky Classified. David Wishart


Oh, and you should probably buy the Malt Whisky Yearbook every year.

[Deactivated Member]

For non-geeky info. about the industry, developments, distilleries and new bottlings - Malt Whisky Yearbook 2008.

For tasting notes on particular expressions - Loch Fyne Whiskies website (not a book, but just as readable).

[corbuso]

The list of Ian is very much the same as mine, with a few exceptions

Here's my Top Ten Must Have Whisky Books.

Only one title from any one writer. Titles shown in alphabetical order of author's surname to avoid upsetting anyone!

The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom. Alfred Barnard

Scotch. Robert Bruce Lockhart

The World Guide to Whisky. Michael Jackson

Whisky. Aeneas MacDonald

Scotch Whisky - a Liquid History. Charles MacLean

The Making of Scotch Whisky. Michael Moss & John Hume

Scotch Whisky WM Robb

The Scottish Whisky Distilleries M. Udo

The History of the Distillers Company, 1877 - 1939. Ronald B Weir

I hope that Ron will manage to finish the next part of the DCL history next year.

And we should not forget the two books of Classic Expression, Reminescences of a Gauger and Smuggling in the Highlands from the Classic Expressions. Smuggling in the Highlands is my favorite amongst the two.

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

[Ian Buxton]

Hi Corbuso
Thanks. He's right of course, about the Classic Expressions' books - but I didn't want to say that in my list!
We're all waiting for Weir vol II - and have you seen the 2nd hand price of part 1? Ouch!

[Deactivated Member]

My single recommendation would be Whisky Bible 2008. It is more comprehensive than the rest; it zeroes in on what matters - the tasting notes and scores - and it offers endless scope for debate.

[Willie JJ]

My single recommendation would be Whisky Bible 2008. It is more comprehensive than the rest; it zeroes in on what matters - the tasting notes and scores - and it offers endless scope for debate.

The bible is good for the experienced fan Nick, but it may be a bit dry for the beginner. In that respect I'm inclined to think that the Yearbook offers a better balance; distillery info, industry news and currently available bottlings.

[mattbuty]

I would really recommend Aeneas MacDonald's Whisky for a good read. Otherwise 2008 malt whisky yearbook...

[Willie JJ]

My single recommendation would be Whisky Bible 2008. It is more comprehensive than the rest; it zeroes in on what matters - the tasting notes and scores - and it offers endless scope for debate.

The bible is good for the experienced fan Nick, but it may be a bit dry for the beginner.

For once Willie, I have to disagree with you - well slightly.
I occasionally come across notes in the Bible that make me laugh aloud or have to read them to my good lady wife.
(But most of the time you are right )

I happily concede your point. (At least the first one ).

[corbuso]

Hi Corbuso
Thanks. He's right of course, about the Classic Expressions' books - but I didn't want to say that in my list!
We're all waiting for Weir vol II - and have you seen the 2nd hand price of part 1? Ouch!

Quite amazing: between £104 and £185 for the first edition! And less than two years ago, it was sold below the RRP. In any case, it is a great book for anyone interested the development of the DCL and in the whisky industry in general. It also indicates that the whisky enthusiasts wants more than a Whisky Companion or a Whisky bible. Which is very good for the whisky community and more specialized whisky books.


Corbuso

[Lawrence]

What is the *ONE* book everyone from the newbie to the old guard enthusiast, should have? On whisky of course.

Why would you even think of limiting yourself to one book?

[irishwhiskeychaser]

I would agree with Nick on the JM's Bible... and I think it is more relevant and useful to the beginner if you ask me. And people love lists

I also think every shop should have one or two for customers to flick through if they are browsing.

My list would be...

Enjoying Malt Whisky by Par Caldenby (Best all rounder)
The Whiskeys of Ireland by Peter Mulryan (Best on Irish)
Whisky Bible by Jim Murray (Best Tasting Notes)
Whisky by Michael Jackson (Great all rounder)
Whisky by Aeneas MacDonnald (Excellent historucal book on Whisky but still very relevant)

And I second the comments on the Classic Expression reprints. Beautiful reproductions and a credit to Ian and co.

Can't comment on Malt Whisky Yearbook 2008 as I've never read it

[whiskyhibby]

It has to be the one and only

The World Guide to Whisky. Michael Jackson


Its what got me collecting in the first place

[HPSauce]

If you're really really serious, there is only one....

Valentino Zagatti, The Best collection of Malt scotch whisky
sumptuous,
(very expensive),
but truly orgasmic!

[Deactivated Member]

Thinking about this nearly a year on - my first whisky book was Charlie MacLean's Whisky Almanac. That was a slim book that could fit in pockets (similar size to Whisky Bible but not as many pages) and had brief histories of the distilleries and a tasting note of a relatively available example. It also listed major Scotch blends and gave a history of their brands - but didn't offer tasting notes for them. It was good in presenting the distilleries as more than just a sum of their products, but did introduce the concept of different styles that were distinctive to each distillery. I still think WB is better, but if you could cut Charlie's distillery histories and paste them into the Whisky Bible...

That would be an Ultimate Must Have.

[bamber]

I've gotta go for the Jim Murray's Whisky Bible.

[whiskyhibby]

Scotch Whisky - William G Robb published 1950 - Just read it having bought it a while back, fantastic book