2400 Reviews of Whiskey, Brandy, Vodka, Tequila, Rum, Gin, and Liqueurs from F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal.
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"...Pacult's is the first opinion I trust when it comes to the review of spirits...an amazing resource of knowledge... -- Benjamin Melin-Jones, Managing Director, CLEMENT USA Inc.
...With Kindred Spirits 2...I feel I've been given a brand-new GPS system (for the exploration of spirits in the marketplace)... -- David Wondrich, Drinks Correspondent, Esquire Magazine
...With Kindred Spirits 2...I feel I've been given a brand-new GPS system (for the exploration of spirits in the marketplace)... -- David Wondrich, Drinks Correspondent, Esquire Magazine
From the Back Cover
THE CONSUMER'S BUYING GUIDE TO DISTILLED SPIRITS
F. Paul Pacult's Kindred Spirits 2 is the follow-up to the groundbreaking 1997 book of spirits reviews, Kindred Spirits. Ten years later, this indispensable, comprehensive compilation of 2,400+ detailed evaluations of whiskeys, brandies, vodkas, tequilas, rums, gins, and liqueurs sets the international gold standard for distilled spirits criticism.
As the world's most respected and trusted spirits authority, critic, journalist, consultant, and author, F. Paul Pacult, is without peer in his meticulous tasting format and fiercely unbiased opinions. The advertising-free nature of his newsletter, F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal, now celebrating its eighteenth year of publication, allows Pacult the journalistic and critical freedom to speak his mind, review after review, product after product.
Readers may not agree with him 100% of the time, but they always know clearly where he stands in terms of demanding quality. Pacult is just as inclined to chastise the distiller of a $1,000 bottle of brandy that falls miserably short of the mark as he is to heap praise upon a $12 bottle of rum that drinks like a $100 bottle of rum. Price, presentation, and/or producer or whether or not he personally knows the distiller never gets in the way of Pacult's honest opinions and highly detailed reviews.
What is solely paramount to Pacult and what sets him completely apart from all other spirits writers working today is whether or not what's in the sampling glass looks, smells, tastes, and feels good enough to recommend to a friend. All other data is, to him, immaterial and extraneous.
Who should be reading F. Paul Pacult's Kindred Spirits 2:
Consumers who are just beginning their personal adventure in spirits and who need the consistently dependable tutelage of the most respected international expert.
Seasoned spirits consumers who feel the need to expand their experiential repertoire and need a reliable purchasing guide.
Beverage alcohol industry executives, brand ambassadors/champions, account executives, and distillers who would like to know more about their particular area of business interest by knowing what the competition is up to.
Liquor retailers who can use KS2 not only as a trusted guide in helping their clientele make better buying decisions, but as an educational workbook for their sales staff.
Restaurateurs/bar owners/bartenders who sell spirits and need to know more about them in an increasingly competitive period.
Public relations personnel who cater to the beverage alcohol industry or want to.
Writers, press corps, authors, and journalists who write regularly or occasionally on distilled spirits.
Educators who teach spirits seminars to consumer or trade groups.
F. Paul Pacult's Kindred Spirits 2...something you can't really live well without.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Paul Pacult's rainbow of 2400 spirit reviews, "Kindred Spirits 2", is eminently useful and very entertaining. Pacult is independent and of impeccable integrity and authority. This isn't some snobby book that lauds all the expensive fancy quaffs and denigrates the familiar favorites. He sniffs out the gems regardless of price and debunks overpriced rarities that are past their prime. (This doesn't mean that some of the top ranked items aren't expensive; sadly the marketplace is what it is). The reviews are single paragraph paragons of brevity - but never lacking in descriptive detail. Pacult knows his craft and has a well developed palate and vocabulary. His reviews are instructive, insightful, sometimes moving, and often funny. Time after time I find his reviews spot on. I can't think of single instance where I thought he was just flat out wrong. This is quite a new experience for me with liquor reviews.
It's ridiculously ambitious to attempt a book that reviews the full spectrum of spirits spanning whiskey (scotch, irish, bourbon, rye and more), brandy (cognac, armagnac and much more), vodka, tequila, rum, gin, grappa, cachaça, slivovitz, eau de vie, and liqueurs - but "Kindred Spirits 2" does a credible job. The VAST majority of spirits I know are included. It's virtually impossible to be completely comprehensive, however, and I noticed a few omissions such as Jägermeister, Sortilege (an obscure but amazing maple liqueur from Quebec), and some manner of Kummel Caraway. There seems to be only a single listing for an Akvavit (but it's a cracker). All the Springbank malts are covered, except the 21, my personal favorite. You could nit pick any attempt. However, the deep strength overall more than compensates. The reviewed selections are eclectic - highbrow and lowbrow. There are many single cask and limited editions included - as well as standards and classics. The vast breadth makes for both interesting reading and a definitive reference. In addition to the listings of reviews there are brief section introductions that orient the reader, a brief FAQ (Appendix A:) and a listing of the authors 111 favorite spirits regardless of type (Appendix B:). Appendix B: is the only place where Mr. Pacult ranks hierarchically within a given star level. This is the land of the 5 stars and they're all great - but Pacult takes a stand on which is better than which. This is a lot of fun - but it's the most slippery ground and it's here that I find I disagree with him most - but it's a happy disagreement. Everything on this list is KILLER. Degrees of love is a happy debate.
The real power and magic of this book comes in discovering these highest rated five star gems. I recently attended a tasting of the top ten from Appendix B: and found the experience utterly astounding. Virtually every selection was revelatory and blew away my preconceptions of what these various types of spirits were (e.g. the bourbon tasted so good it almost wasn't recognizable as bourbon - don't even get me started on the Rum Agricole - an amazing variant I had never even heard of). The flavors were huge and complex - transcending expectations. Mr. Pacult's taste preferences emerged - sweetness, purity, floral and citrus notes, huge long finishes. I find myself heartily in accord. Incredibly, 6 of the 10 retail for under $100 a bottle. The big lesson of this book is that artistry and genius are not synonymous with rarity and cost. This is a great desk reference - but it can be far more; a gateway to epicurian experience (especially if you have the courage to use it to go beyond your "comfort zone" (i.e. try types you don't normally drink)). Using this book as a guide will save you a ton of money in bad choices. Much more importantly than this, it will expose you to the best spirits the world has to offer - highlight experiences you might otherwise disastrously miss. Many of these lofty spirits will be surprisingly affordable - and many will utterly blow you away. My highest recommendation.
Postscript - 05/18/09. I find that I've picked up some of Pacult's habits when drinking spirits now. Of the greatest value is the insight that the bloom and flavor of many spirits (and particularly my favorite- malt whisky) improves after 5-10 minutes of breathing time in the glass. I used to warm the whiskey in my palm - imagining that it was the warmth that made it taste sweeter and richer. Pacult has taught me that it's the time, not the temperature. His discussions about flavor profiles over time in the glass has made me a wiser drinker and I enjoy my snorts more now than ever now that I know to wait some moments before starting.
It's ridiculously ambitious to attempt a book that reviews the full spectrum of spirits spanning whiskey (scotch, irish, bourbon, rye and more), brandy (cognac, armagnac and much more), vodka, tequila, rum, gin, grappa, cachaça, slivovitz, eau de vie, and liqueurs - but "Kindred Spirits 2" does a credible job. The VAST majority of spirits I know are included. It's virtually impossible to be completely comprehensive, however, and I noticed a few omissions such as Jägermeister, Sortilege (an obscure but amazing maple liqueur from Quebec), and some manner of Kummel Caraway. There seems to be only a single listing for an Akvavit (but it's a cracker). All the Springbank malts are covered, except the 21, my personal favorite. You could nit pick any attempt. However, the deep strength overall more than compensates. The reviewed selections are eclectic - highbrow and lowbrow. There are many single cask and limited editions included - as well as standards and classics. The vast breadth makes for both interesting reading and a definitive reference. In addition to the listings of reviews there are brief section introductions that orient the reader, a brief FAQ (Appendix A:) and a listing of the authors 111 favorite spirits regardless of type (Appendix B:). Appendix B: is the only place where Mr. Pacult ranks hierarchically within a given star level. This is the land of the 5 stars and they're all great - but Pacult takes a stand on which is better than which. This is a lot of fun - but it's the most slippery ground and it's here that I find I disagree with him most - but it's a happy disagreement. Everything on this list is KILLER. Degrees of love is a happy debate.
The real power and magic of this book comes in discovering these highest rated five star gems. I recently attended a tasting of the top ten from Appendix B: and found the experience utterly astounding. Virtually every selection was revelatory and blew away my preconceptions of what these various types of spirits were (e.g. the bourbon tasted so good it almost wasn't recognizable as bourbon - don't even get me started on the Rum Agricole - an amazing variant I had never even heard of). The flavors were huge and complex - transcending expectations. Mr. Pacult's taste preferences emerged - sweetness, purity, floral and citrus notes, huge long finishes. I find myself heartily in accord. Incredibly, 6 of the 10 retail for under $100 a bottle. The big lesson of this book is that artistry and genius are not synonymous with rarity and cost. This is a great desk reference - but it can be far more; a gateway to epicurian experience (especially if you have the courage to use it to go beyond your "comfort zone" (i.e. try types you don't normally drink)). Using this book as a guide will save you a ton of money in bad choices. Much more importantly than this, it will expose you to the best spirits the world has to offer - highlight experiences you might otherwise disastrously miss. Many of these lofty spirits will be surprisingly affordable - and many will utterly blow you away. My highest recommendation.
Postscript - 05/18/09. I find that I've picked up some of Pacult's habits when drinking spirits now. Of the greatest value is the insight that the bloom and flavor of many spirits (and particularly my favorite- malt whisky) improves after 5-10 minutes of breathing time in the glass. I used to warm the whiskey in my palm - imagining that it was the warmth that made it taste sweeter and richer. Pacult has taught me that it's the time, not the temperature. His discussions about flavor profiles over time in the glass has made me a wiser drinker and I enjoy my snorts more now than ever now that I know to wait some moments before starting.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
With over 2400 reviews in its encyclopedic 644 page expanse Kindred Spirits 2 covers just about every distilled product out there.
For the price of one, certainly two mistakes this book provides the means to avoid those costly mistakes and buying of regrettable bottles.Saves you a lot of money and time trying to find something decent to drink.Paul has sampled all these potions so you don't have to,or I should say so you can focus in on those you want to.While no one will agree with anyone on everything,this is a major body of work that is an invaluable reference on thousands of spirits so you can see what is out there and try them for yourself.
Paul is a highly entertaining and evocative writer,capturing the essence of what he has tasted and reducing it to literary form. A masterwork that is also an entertaining read,it will probably be THE reference for years to come.
For the price of one, certainly two mistakes this book provides the means to avoid those costly mistakes and buying of regrettable bottles.Saves you a lot of money and time trying to find something decent to drink.Paul has sampled all these potions so you don't have to,or I should say so you can focus in on those you want to.While no one will agree with anyone on everything,this is a major body of work that is an invaluable reference on thousands of spirits so you can see what is out there and try them for yourself.
Paul is a highly entertaining and evocative writer,capturing the essence of what he has tasted and reducing it to literary form. A masterwork that is also an entertaining read,it will probably be THE reference for years to come.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By J. M. Griem
Format:Paperback
Kindred Spirits 2 is an incredible, unique resource for spirit lovers everywhere. Page after page, KS2 delivers engaging, hard-hitting insights about individual spirits across the full product and geographic range. White or brown spirits; consumed before, during, or after meals; familiar names or rare products, Paul Pacult covers it all with encyclopedic professionalism. It is probably impossible to find such a valuable reference book anywhere else.
I have used individual issues of Spirit Journal (from which the KS2 reviews come) to compare my impressions with Paul's for familiar spirits and to identify some new spirits to try. But the real power of KS2 (as a Spirit Journal review summary) lies in helping readers build better spirit inventories and expand their knowledge of individual spirit categories.
As soon as I received KS2, I went through my personal spirit inventory and identified areas where quality could probably be improved cost-effectively. I bought several new spirits (like a different everyday blended scotch), tasted them side-by-side with my current spirits, and replaced several current spirits. There are also clearcut improvement areas for me in white spirits, cognac, and brandy. These changes will be made easily and quickly, because of the confidence I have in the integrity of Paul's reviews.
KS2 can also be used to develop a better spirit inventory for a public restaurant/bar or a private club. The potential payoff is big. Such a wide-ranging spirit audit and improvement program would not be possible without a resource like KS2.
I found KS2 so useful that I just ordered another copy to give to a very demanding spirit lover as a birthday present. Of course, I renewed my subscription to Spirit Journal so I will be up-to-date until KS3 is published.
I have used individual issues of Spirit Journal (from which the KS2 reviews come) to compare my impressions with Paul's for familiar spirits and to identify some new spirits to try. But the real power of KS2 (as a Spirit Journal review summary) lies in helping readers build better spirit inventories and expand their knowledge of individual spirit categories.
As soon as I received KS2, I went through my personal spirit inventory and identified areas where quality could probably be improved cost-effectively. I bought several new spirits (like a different everyday blended scotch), tasted them side-by-side with my current spirits, and replaced several current spirits. There are also clearcut improvement areas for me in white spirits, cognac, and brandy. These changes will be made easily and quickly, because of the confidence I have in the integrity of Paul's reviews.
KS2 can also be used to develop a better spirit inventory for a public restaurant/bar or a private club. The potential payoff is big. Such a wide-ranging spirit audit and improvement program would not be possible without a resource like KS2.
I found KS2 so useful that I just ordered another copy to give to a very demanding spirit lover as a birthday present. Of course, I renewed my subscription to Spirit Journal so I will be up-to-date until KS3 is published.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well worth the price
I'm a fan. Kindred Spirits 2 (and his Newsletter and the Fantastic iWhiskey iPhone App) can be used as buying guides and tasting guides. Read more
Published on August 13, 2010 by Paul
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shut up and get it.
If you're a 35-50 hour a week bartender and are tired of your liquor rep schlepping garbage hooch on you so he can surpass his salary cap, use this guide and hope these items are... Read more
Published on February 6, 2009 by Bradley D. Dawson
5.0 out of 5 stars
ultimate buyers guide
This book will save you money the very first time you visit the liquor store! Especially if you like to try new stuff like scotch and rum. Read more
Published on November 26, 2008 by Dan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Indispensable!
I'm compelled to echo the thoughts of those before me. If you fancy yourself a fan of spirits, then you must keep this book within reach of your bar! Read more
Published on June 4, 2008 by Cocktail Fan
5.0 out of 5 stars
spirit fan
encyclopedic, thorough, with a little humor thrown in.
a must-read before you buy any spirit.
my palette is not nearly as good as f. Read more
a must-read before you buy any spirit.
my palette is not nearly as good as f. Read more
Published on May 1, 2008 by James Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Reference Book
Kindred Spirits 2 was worth waiting for! We use them constantly in our liquor stores. Since we can't taste all the products, we let Paul Pacault do the work for us. Read more
Published on April 23, 2008 by Suzie Riga
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read resource for experts and novices.
Paul Pacult really understands his stuff. He is honest and straightforward in his reviews. The reviews are easy to understand and should be used as the source if you are in the biz... Read more
Published on April 9, 2008 by Kay Olsen
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Essential Companion
As an author I know a thing or two about what it takes to write a book. While talent and command of the subject matter are helpful, passion and dedication are absolutely essential. Read more
Published on March 13, 2008 by Robert A. Plotkin
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Ultimate Liquor review book!
F. Paul Pacult's "Kindred Spirits 2" is a 8 year compilation of his reviews printed in his Spirit Journal. Read more
Published on March 13, 2008 by S. Halperin
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