|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
|
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
The occasional tippler may be intimidated by all the nuances of fine whiskey; after all, there are just so many variables to consider. What is the local climate and geography of the distillery? What the kind of grain is used, and how is it prepared for fermenting? What is the shape of the still? What kind of oak is used for the cask, and how long is the whiskey aged? Jackson's collection of essays and photographs will teach newbies how to answer all of these questions, but it will gratify the most obsessive enthusiasts as well. Every step of the process gets its own explanation, and there are even essays on food pairings and cocktail recipes. The bulk of the book, however, is taken up by an almost encyclopedic compendium of distilleries from all over the planet, including Germany and Japan. Individually, each section is informative; but taken together, the sheer amount of information may make novices feel overwhelmed. This is not to suggest that Jackson's "definitive world guide" is to be avoided. Rather, like the drink it celebrates, it's best in small doses. So here's what you do: buy a bottle of your favorite scotch, rye or bourbon, and another bottle of one that intrigues you. Read about each distillery, then check out Jackson's brief and informative section "How to Nose and Taste." Then pour two fingers in a highball glass, put on some relaxing music, and enjoy the spirit of the spirit.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Book Description
From grain to glass, Whiskey tells you everything and anything you'll ever want to know about whiskey, from storing and serving whiskey, whiskey cocktails, to pairing whiskey with food. Whether interested in the story behind aromas and flavors, what makes certain distilleries unique or how weather and environment influence taste‹this is the most fascinating illustrated examination of whiskey on the market.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
The word "whiskey" is of Celtic origin. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The word "whiskey" is of Celtic origin. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most helpful customer reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
The title is fitting,
This review is from: Whiskey (Hardcover)
Jackson's "Definitive Guide" lives up to its name. For the dilettante, the book provides enough background for one to converse with whiskey's most haughty connoisseurs (several of whom can be found adopting pretentious poses among the beautiful and informative photographs that cover the the book, cover to cover, as it were). Those connoisseurs, however knowledgeable, will find the seemingly exhaustive encyclopedia of distilleries, arranged by region, an unparalleled reference, and perhaps discover a few to add to his shopping (or in my case, wish) list. Contrary to the previous reviewer's delightful analogy about enjoying the book in small doses, the half devoted to the processes of creating whiskey provided a sufficiently engaging read for me to spend two straight hours with it at the local bookstore amidst increasingly less congenial "are you going to buy that" looks from the management. The book, however, is not for the parsimonious, because as with any specialty items, good whiskies don't come cheap. There's no sense inspiring expensive yearnings for delicacies one didn't previously know existed.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.4 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews) 27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Produced Introduction to Whiskey,
By Marco Antonio Abarca - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Whiskey (Hardcover)
I would imagine that the very best to learn about whiskey is from a close friend who has for the past thirty years been fully immersed in all the arcane knowledge of whiskey drinking. Unfortunately, I think most people are like me, we get our whiskey education from the half educated clerk sitting behind the liquour store counter. Into this void comes Michael Jackson's "Whiskey".First and foremost, this book is published by DK. This means that it will be rich in beautiful photographs and illustrations and weaker in text. I love well produced books and that is why I give this book five stars. The carefully shot pictures of Scotish whiskey distilleries are enough to make one plan a golfing/whiskey drinking vacation. However, the downside of DK books is that the writing is usually on the "lite" side. If you are looking for a guidebook to help you pick your next bottle of Scotch, this is not your book. Michael Jackson has produced other books that better describe and rate single malt Scotches. Purchase this book for the beautiful photographs and basic introduction to Scotch. Deeper knowledge will require more study and tasting. 10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
great photos, geography passable, other info weaker,
By sazerac - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Whiskey (Hardcover)
While this book is certainly an eye catcher it falls short of an exhaustive reference book. Perhaps it's a good introduction for the beginner, but I was hoping it would do for Whiskey what Clive Coates' The Wines of Bordeaux: Vintages and Tasting Notes 1952-2003 did for Bordeaux. Specific information with regard to process, grain choice, barrel selection and aging at each distillery was spotty. In some cases there was no discussion of various products from a producer. I am sure meaningful tasting notes for whiskey can be tricky, but I didn't find these particularly useful either. From time to time i noticed an insightful tasting comment and frequently obvious dominating characteristics were noted but many of the tasting notes seemed rather generic. While preference is particularly subjective I think more critical evaluation would be helpful in terms of conveying tasting information.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An exhilarating journey through the ingredients, craftsmanship, and world development of whiskey,
By Carolyn Smagalski "Beer Fox" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Whiskey (Hardcover)
In his book, WHISKEY - THE DEFINITIVE WORLD GUIDE, Michael Jackson takes you through an exhilarating journey of fascination covering the ingredients, craftsmanship, and world development of whiskey. The crystalline palates of passionate contributors add their expertise to Jackson's anthology that includes writings on climactic influences, geological and regional imprints on whiskeys, agricultural ingredients, commercial processing, the traditional art and science of distilling, and the art of nosing and tasting.You are taken on a whirlwind tour into the development of single malt scotch and scotch blends, bourbon, and whiskeys, with styles that span global continents. Explorations of distilled beverages include selected tastings throughout Scotland, Ireland, Canada, the United States, Japan, Europe, Asia and Australasia. These worldwide destinations are brought to life with superb photographic images and extraordinary architectural graphics. Further exploration into the enjoyment of whiskey includes whiskey cocktails and culinary creations, matching foods with whiskey, resources for further reading and a listing of major distilleries throughout the world. For the novice or the connoisseur, WHISKEY - THE DEFINITIVE WORLD GUIDE is an adventure into the realm of spirits. It is impossible to peruse the pages without a feeling of awe, inspired by the magnificence, history, development and flavor profiles bestowed upon the amber gem. This book is the 2006 winner of the James Beard Award in the Books on Drink category, and deservedly so. |
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
