Finished your latest issue of Whisky Magazine and need some more whisky-based reading material? We've rounded up three recent additions that might make their way on to your bookshelf.
English Whisky: The Journey from Grain to Glass
By Ted Bruning and Rupert Wheeler
Published by Pavilion
When James and Andrew Nelstrop of the English Distillery, then known as St George's Distillery, distilled their first new make whisky in 2009, it was the first distillation of its kind in England in more than 100 years. This year, that same distillery's sherry cask whisky was named the World's Best Single Malt in the World Whiskies Awards — a development which reflects the growth in prominence and prestige of English whisky in the last two decades.
In English Whisky, Ted Bruning and (former Whisky Magazine managing editor) Rupert Wheeler take the reader back to whisky's origins, tracing how English whisky developed, disappeared, and was rebirthed for the 21st century. A comprehensive view of the whisky-making process in an English context reveals how raw materials, kit, oak, and ageing are influenced by and drawn from English terrain and climate, to begin to build a regional character and culture. England’s whisky champions make their mark in the book, too, including Andrew Nelstrop, Dan Szor (of the Cotswolds Distillery, who also provides a foreword), and more.
English Whisky is illustrated with full-colour photography and maps, and includes a gazetteer of the 39 English whisky distilleries open at the time of writing. Each distillery’s story is faithfully recorded and tasting notes, where available, share a snapshot of their spirit. It will have you making travel plans.
Hardback, RRP £20. For more information, visit www.posthousepublishing.com.
David Daly's Whiskey Notes
By David Daly
Published by Daithí Ó Dálaigh
Writer David Daly, a founder of Whisky Night, has published his first book. In David Daly's Whiskey Notes, Daly shares the story behind Whisky Night, a global community which brings together whisky fans the world-over.
As indicated in the title, the majority of the book is dedicated to whisky tasting notes and scores, in a comprehensive collection of around 1,500 whiskies. Within that, Daly has tried whiskies from nearly 40 countries, including 300-plus distilleries and more than 50 independent bottlers.
Daly is a columnist of the UAE press, and is originally from Ireland (hinted at by the ‘e’ in the book’s title, perhaps), where his parents still run a pub. Irish whiskey makes his ‘Top of the Drops’ list — a Redbreast expression from Midleton (“Christ this is special,” he writes), which scores a 98.
Paperback, RRP US$25. For more information visit daviddalyswhiskeynotes.com.
The World Atlas of Whisky 3rd Edition
By Dave Broom
Published by Mitchell Beazley
Dave Broom’s The World Atlas of Whisky is part of the whisky literary canon at this point — multiple whisky legends have told this magazine that they’re fans.
Published a decade on from the second edition (and nearly 15 years since the first), the third edition of The World Atlas of Whisky has been completely rewritten to reflect the changing whisky landscape worldwide. Broom’s worldwide approach provides a comprehensive view of the whisky industry.
More than 500 distilleries are profiled within the updated atlas, and more than 480 whiskies featured with tasting notes. The illustrated book includes 32 detailed, full-colour maps.
The World Atlas is targeted at both whisky newcomers and longtime enthusiasts, and celebrates the history, culture, and exciting future of the spirit.
Hardback, RRP £45. Available in bookshops across the UK.
