Malt Whisky [Hardcover]

Charles MacLean (Author), Jason Lowe (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2006

Scotland’s national drink is available in more than 300 brands, styles, and ages, reflecting the diversity of the Scottish people themselves. This fully updated, beguiling buyer and collector’s guide—which won the Glenfiddich Visual Award—features 250 color photographs, maps, and illustrations, and combines the fascinating story of Scotch whisky’s origins with an explanation of the distilling process, including how the various waters, malts, peats, and barleys used affect the flavor and value of the mature product. Tips for conducting a proper tasting session and a directory of whisky societies are provided, as well as tasting notes for the products of every Scottish whisky distiller operating since World War II.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Maclean is the most serious and scholarly writer on whisky today." The Evening Standard "The most detailed study of the subject ever attempted." Scotch Whisky website "Charles Maclean knows his stuff...You'll find no better book on whisky." Maxim "Reading Charles Maclean's Malt Whisky is enough to inspire anyone to visit the Scottish Highlands, Islands and Lowlands." Sunday Times "Attractive and detailed." The Express" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Charles MacLean is Scotland's leading whisky writer. He wrote his first book on the subject, Scotch Whisky (Mitchell Beazley), in 1993. Since then he has published eight books on the subject. He appears on TV and radio, presents talks and tastings around the world, and is whisky consultant to Bonhams Auctioneers. He was the founding editor (now Editor at Large) of Whisky Magazine. He is a judge on the spirits panel of the International Wines and Spirits Competition. In recognition of "his services to Scotch whisky over many years" he was elected a Keeper of the Quaich in 1992. He lives near Edinburgh. Jason Lowe is a multi-award-winning photographer of food, drink, and landscapes. His awards include the Glenfiddich Award for visual work in 1998 for the first publication of Malt Whisky and in 2001 for his work in the Independent with Simon Hopkinson. He lives in London. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: MITCH; Revised edition (July 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1840006293
• ISBN-13: 978-1840006292
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,431,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful expression of the Scotch Whisky experience, June 25, 1998

By 

Jon D. (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Malt Whisky (Hardcover)

An entertaining history? An absorbing how-to? A tasting guide without the attitude? This book is a joy from start to finish, not the least because it suprises one who has become jaded from tomes on wine and spirits which are by turns tedious and elitist. Malt Whisky, by Charles MacLean, is primarily a one-stop summary of the entire range of the single-malt scotch experience, aimed at the enthusiast rather than the researcher. The first impression is of the sheer beauty of the book; the specially commissioned photographs by Jason Lowe are a marvelous treat, and the entire production is attractively laid-out and of high quality. Mr. MacLean is a writer of elegance and restrained wit, never bogged down in minutae but also never one to skip over the interesting or enlightening detail. It is a difficult balancing act, and the measure of his success is the pleasure in every sentence.

Although the book is not intended as a comprehensive reference, there is a wealth of information in the six main sections: History, How Whisky is Made, How to Enjoy Malt, The Whisky Regions, the Directory, and the Appendices. Of special note are the directory and appendices. The directory is a comprehensive list of all distilleries which are operating, silent or mothballed, as well as those closed since WWII, and includes tasting notes for selected versions of these malts. The appendices are ready for the Age of the Internet; they contain addresses and web sites for whisky societies worldwide, distilleries and retailers. They also give information on retail sources for rare and unusual bottlings, collectors' guidelines, and distilleries which give tours or welcome visitors.

Malt Whisky was a lot of fun to read, and it will continue to be both fun and useful for those who enjoy the romance of whisky and the experience of a good single-malt, but also need information to help pursue and expand their pleasure. Make a space for this on your bookshelf.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must Have" Book on Malt Whisky, January 28, 2000

By 

jb77 "jb77" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Malt Whisky (Hardcover)

This is one of two "must have" books on Scotch Malt Whisky. It contains a wealth of information and is beautifully illustrated. This book contains a detailed analysis of the unique flavors in malt whisky which can be found no where else. Charles MacLean is a legend in Scotch whisky circles, and this fabulous book is his best work. If you love Malt Whisky, buy this book.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars REPRINT, August 20, 2003

By 

Cookbook Lover (Sidney, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Malt Whisky (Hardcover)

You may be interested to know that the reviews you are reading are from a previous edition of this book, and that this edition is a reprint. CAVEAT EMPTOR. The Scotch Whiskey industry is constantly changing. Nice photos yes... current information? i hope so.