The Story Of Whisky

‘For the reader who knows little about whisky, this is a book that will easily and enjoyably fill that gap.’ – Sir Alexander McCall Smith

‘For the reader who knows little about whisky, this is a book that will easily and enjoyably fill that gap.’ – Sir Alexander McCall Smith

Beginning with the origins of distilling in 1200BC by alchemists in China and India, journey through whisky’s early origins as an illicit alcohol made in the hills of Scotland and Ireland, to the exciting small batch whiskies being produced today by craft distillers and master blenders all over the world.

Through over 100 stories, legends and anecdotes, discover the origins of the quaich, whisky glass and corkscrew: and look inside iconic distilleries from around the world with stunning photographs and historic images.

Award-winning writers Charles MacLean and Gavin D. Smith offer a rollocking narrative; describing the adventures of the legendary characters who shaped the whisky industry. With flavour influenced as much by history, craft and tradition as it is by science, in The Story of Whisky, find out why your drink tastes the way it does, where whisky flavours come from and how they are changing to embrace the future..

Charles MacLean is the author of 17 books about Scotch whisky, including the standard work on whisky brands, Scotch Whisky, and Malt Whisky, both of which were shortlisted for Glenfiddich Awards. His Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History won Wine & Spirits Book of the Year at the 2004 James Beard Awards and Best Drink Book in the World at the Food Media Awards. The Sunday Times calls him ‘whisky’s finest guru’.

Gavin D. Smith is the author and co-author of some 30 books on whisky and contributing editor, Scotland, for Whisky Magazine. He writes for many other publications including Whisky Advocate, Whiskeria, Whisky Quarterly and The Cask.

History and adventures of the world’s most beloved drink, the perfect gift for whisky-lovers

History and adventures of the world’s most beloved drink, the perfect gift for whisky-lovers

• This large-format, gift book is written by two highly respected whisky writers who are steeped in the subject, Charles Maclean and Gavin D. Smith, and features a foreword from famous Scottish author, Sir Alexander McCall Smith – who comments ‘this remarkable book on the fascinating subject of how whisky has been made over the years’.
• Whisky is enjoying a moment in the sun: it is now a truly global drink far removed from its early days in the glens of Highland Scotland and remote Irish settlements; and emerging regions, led by a new generation of producers keen to push forward new innovations, from England to the far corners of Europe and Asia, now produce world class whisky to rival the more traditional distilleries. In the key whisky-producing nations of USA and Canada, as elsewhere, a wave of new distilleries is now a serious rival to the long-established giant multinationals. In the UK alone whisky constitutes 16% of the retail spirits market.
• Global demand is at a record high and the book covers the story of whisky worldwide: from the pot still whiskies of rural Ireland to the success of 21st century Japanese distilleries. New distilleries in China and India are now global success stories and urban and micro-distilleries can be fou