Customer Reviews

The Art of Distilling Whiskey and Other Spirits: An Enthusiast's Guide to the Artisan Distilling of Potent Potables

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found the book fascinating. How different still types effect flavors etc. It's a quick read. However, don't look for any how to stuff. It's wonderfully illustrated and well, made me thirst for whiskey. The part on rum I found really interesting. I would have liked to see more on Absinthe though. More of a coffee table book. If you've had questions about spirits this will get you started.

Fred Fraase
Tacoma Beer Preservation
and Education Society.

The book was in perfect condition but the title totally mis lead me to thinking it was about the art of distilling whiskey and other spirits../
it will never teach anyone anything about distilling
There are some brief overviews which are not in the least way instructional.

If you want beautiful pictures however this book is loaded with them. the pictures are of buildings and bottles.

I own most every book written about distilling liquor. This is truly one of the best. The explanations of how each type of liquor is made are more detailed than most. I also found some very good practical information about distilling techniques, such as when to make cuts, that you don't find in other books. Also contains some real good information about commercial micro distilleries. This is a must read for the serious distiller.

Years ago when Bill Owens was pontificating, as only Bill can do, about the eminent rise of micro-distilling in America, I listened. I listened because Bill has been spot-on and well ahead of the crowd before. In the 1980s Owens was not only brewing beer but he was writing about it, as well as mentoring aspiring new brewers. Some people are bandwagon jumpers; Owens is a bandwagon builder.

''Owens' latest project (one of them anyway) is The Art of Distilling Whiskey and Other Spirits: An Enthusiasts Guide to the Artisan Distilling of Potent Potables. I love everything about this book with the exception of the title and not because of its untamed length. This is not a book on Whiskey, rather a fascinating and charming look at the world and history of Spirits along with Owens' personal tour through America's micro-distillers. Whiskey just happens to be part of this adventure.''

The journey that Owens takes us on is no virtual 21st century tour of American craft distillers; it's very real indeed. The numerous stories and photos included in this book have been captured by Owens himself. Did I mention that Bill is also a world famous photographer? Indeed he is, look it up! In fact, this book owes its very existence to Bill's photography. A few years ago Owens sold a collection of photos to none other than Sir Elton John. The proceeds of this sale funded Owens' four-month, 21,000-mile journey to the four corners of the USA. We, the readers, are the beneficiaries of this photo sale.

''The book takes shape and rhythm with the assistance of Owens' longtime friend, and beverage industry veteran, Alan Dikty. The book flows effortlessly from the history of distilling, to defining Spirit styles, and then through Owens' expedition. This is a great gift for the Spirits novice and expert alike. It's ideal for the coffee table and the nightstand lending itself to being picked up frequently to absorb distilling facts and lore. Since it's arrival, I haven't gone two days without fingering through the pages of this attractive book. I bet you will do the same.

Award winning photographer, craft brewing pioneer and American Distilling Institute founder/president Bill Owens has again turned his keen eye to the subject of liquor in his newest book co-authored with Alan Dikty. The book is a comprehensive introduction to the breadth and depth of small scale distilled spirits manufacturing and enjoyment. It could just have easily been called "The Art, Science, Technology, History, Geography, Ingredients, Mythology, Mixocology, People and Personalities of Whiskey, Vodka, Gin, Brandy, Eau de Vie, Rum, Tequila, Liqueurs, Schnapps, Anise, Bitters and more..." but the title selected by the authors fits much better. Owens and Dikty have beautifully bottled captivating photographs and technical sketches of whiskey production along with 123 references in the Distiller's Library, 85 definitions in the Distiller's Glossary and 219 names and addresses in the International Directory of Distillers. There are several handy tables showing styles and definitions of each type of distilled product. However, the most interesting and unique column in each of these tables is called just that "However..." in which real world examples or exceptions are explained to the reader. Great old terms like Old Tom and Bathtub Gin, Frisian Dornkaat, Brandewijn, Kill Devil, Rumbullion, Screech and Grog are re-introduced along with factoids like Swedish gunpowder makers having right of first refusal to a distilled beverage called brannvin and the worm in some low-priced Mexican mezcals being put there as proof of high proof. There is an easy-to-read Distilling Timeline Table showing times for fermentation as well as mandated minimum and maximum aging of all distilled products discussed. The Photo Gallery of Artisan Distillers presents about fifty pioneers of the American craft distilling scene in their barns, tasting rooms, restaurants and even airplane hangers where they have built their always photogenic stills. This book is soft-covered, making it very reasonably priced and a huge value for money in any currency. It is warmly dedicated to the late Michael Jackson, who is now "enjoying his well-deserved angel's share of the world's barrels of maturing whiskeys."

"Enthusiast Guide" is correct. "The Art of Distilling" is misleading. I bought this as a "How to" guide, but it is not. It's more a world tour of boutique micro-distilleries.

I have purchased several books on craft distilling over the years. I recently purchased The art of distilling whiskey and other spirits for my collection. I have to honestly say it is the first book I hand to my friends when they ask about craft distilling. I think this book has excellent photography and just enough overview of the different spirit processes to make it interesting.

This book gives practical knowledge on various liquors made, sadly no recipes though the history helps the understanding of why it was made. An informative read that I am glad to have in my collection.

I found this book to be very authoritative. The author concisely explained each different style of distilled liquor and then showed examples of where it's produced in America. The last section of the book shows different distilleries in America and the stills they use. This book will not teach you how to distill, but it will give you a greater understanding of the art and an appreciation for the process. Also it will make you smarter than all your friends when it comes to whiskey and such.

This is a really fun, popular-level introduction to the world of distilling. Insomuch as that is true, this book is great. It's basically a coffee-table book that you can flip through and find some really cool stuff. The Art of Distilling Whiskey and other Spirits, however, is NOT about how to distill spirits (as the title seems to suggest). If you are looking for a how-to book on distilling, this is not it.