Customer Reviews

Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible: Over 2500 Whiskeys Tasted, Evaluated and Rated

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If you are looking for a guideline to navigate the world of whiskey this is what you are looking for. As a previous reviewer mentioned, Murray teaches the drinker that there are whiskies out there that are going to cost under $30 that are better than some that would take a bigger chunk out of your wallet than your car payment. In another of his books I learned about the outstanding but overlooked Irish whiskies. Both John Powers Gold and Jamesons can be found for under $25 in my part of the country. In this edition I found several blends that I like. I have never been a fan of blends until Jim Murray taught me about Teachers and Bushmills black. There are bargains out there on the internet for those that know what they are looking for. With Murrays Whiskey Bible in hand I found any number of great whiskies on the internet. Murray introduced me to the nectar of the gods, Islay single malts. For that reason alone I will always add Jim Murray books to my collection.

We have found Jim's book to be dead on...if a whisk(e)y rates 89 or better, you can count on it being great. He even rates Teacher's Highland Cream ($19/bottle) above many more expensive single malts, and it is true. His take on each manufacturers' flavors are right on, for the beginner or "expert". Truly a CAN'T GO WRONG book.

Why would you buy this book? Why not just drink that old bottle of Jim Beam or Johnny Walker? Because you don't want to make the mistake of buying a bottle of blended Scotch for $500 with a rating of 77/100, like a family friend did. Cost or more aging does not necessarily equate to a higher rating or a higher complexity of taste, body, and finish.

This book is one of the most detailed and comprehensive guides to Whiskey/Whisky in the world. Covering Scotch (single malt and blends), and whiskey from every whiskey producing country such as the United States, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Australia, and Austria, Jim Murray rates spirits by Nose, Taste, Body, and Finish (0 to 25 with a composite of 0 to 100). I would not and have not wasted any of my time or money on purchasing whiskey, without referring to this book. From the rare 50 year old 6,000 British pound bottle of Royal Salute to the $18 dollar bottle of Bourbon, this book covers a vast majority of them.

Each year he bestows upon various distilleries the best of each class of whiskey (World Whisky of the Year, Scotch Single Malt of the Year, Best New Scotch Single Malt of the Year/Single cask, Bourbon of the year, Irish Whisky of the Year, etc).

In the front of the book there is a summary page that shows ratings with the subclassifications (for example, 97 Rating with subheadings of Scotch Single Malt, Bourbon, etc). It is helpful if you're about to go somewhere and try to find 'the best'.

His writing style is straightforward and a pleasure to read. Notes are descriptive and accurate, and drinks are rated from a scale of 0 to 100 (although, I have never seen anything higher than a 97). 0-50, he comments as "Nothing short of absolutely diabolical", whereas 98-100 is "Better than anything I've ever tasted". He also talks about the latest trends in the industry and each installment of the book rates more and more whiskey, each subsequent year.

Even though some of the more obscure barrels of bourbon are not in this guide (for example, Pappy van Winkle 18 year old), it's still a worthwhile investment.

Before you buy that $200 dollar of bourbon or that $1,500 bottle of Macallan, you need to read this book. It WILL save you time, aggravation and money. I am still searchin' for a good ol' bottle of George T. Stagg (97/100).

HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.

Yes he does rate a lot of whiskeys, but his tasting notes don't really mean much unless you're a serious connoisseur. If you want a great book about whiskey with lots of detail, get Michael Jackson's (not that Michael Jackson) Whiskey: The Definitive World Guide. It has histories, info about how different ingredients and distilling processes affect the taste, pictures of the different distilleries etc.

With this and a good Ardbeg, your're all set!! The best guide out there. (Where's the 2006 edition!?)