Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guide: Scotch Whisky: Fully Updated for 2001/2002 [Hardcover]

Charles Maclean (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guides | Publication Date: January 10, 2000

This guide is for both the novice and the connoisseur. It features a brief history of the subject and an exploration of the distilling process, whisky categories and regions. It contains a A-Z directory of whiskies, divided into two sections: single malt and grain whiskies, and blended whiskies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Charles MacLean is, for my money, the most serious and scholarly writer on whisky today." Andrew Jefford" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Charles MacLean was born in Scotland. He is editor of Whisky Magazine and has written eight books on whisky, including Scotch Whisky and Malt Whisky. He is whisky consultant to Phillips International Auctioneers. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Mitchell Beazley; 3rd edition (January 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1840003278
• ISBN-13: 978-1840003277
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 3.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,036,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Esthery, with Hints of Batter, Peat, and Heather!, February 9, 2001

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Scotch Whisky (Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guides) (Hardcover)

An excellent little guide to the making and tasting of Scotch whisky, both single malt (81 pages) and blended (94 pages). After the introductory chapters on the history, making, and appreciation of whisky, brief (2-5 paragraphs) descriptions of each whisky are listed. There is an emphasis on the history of the distillery; this makes it an ideal travel book. The book is part of the "Mitchell-Beazley Pocket Guides," so can be kept easily in a purse or coat pocket (and, yes, the print is legible but quite small).

The tasting descriptions are generally well within the limits of reasonable subjectivity. (Example: The Macallan 12--"...usually full and well-rounded, reminiscent of old Armagnac: sherry, fruit...a hint of wood, clean, intense..."). I think Paul Pacult's "Kindred Spirits" is the better book, however: The tasting notes seem more accurate, and the grading system gives you an idea of his opinion of one scotch versus another. There is no such rating system here.

The notes are necessarily brief for a "pocket guide" and often describe only one vintage (e.g., a 12-year old). However, the notes for the notorious Laphroaig (peat smoke, tar, diesel oil, seaweed, iodine, salt") don't state whether it's the 10-, 12-, or 15-year old that is being evaluated. All in all, however, the author, a renowned authority on whisky, knows his scotch, and conveys well the essential elements of nose, body, taste, and finish.

There is a fairly heavy emphasis on the industry, including a list of top selling brands, prices fetched at auction (!), and the transfer of distillery ownership. There is a nice list of distilleries, locations, and telephone numbers for those planning a scotch tasting excursion, and a good (but dated) bibliography. Recommended particularly for those who want a portable reference book, or who have a special interest in distillery history.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for Scotch Whisky Drinkers, January 28, 2000

By 

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

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Scotch Whisky (Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guides) (Hardcover)

This is a pocket size book with detailed descriptions of numerous Scotch Whiskies, single malts and blends. It briefly provides a history of the distillery and most helpful, detailed tasting notes on each whisky. Charles MacLean is a well known and highly respected expert in whiskies. This book makes an excellent companion to Michael Jackson's "must have" book on Single Malt Scotch Whisky giving the reader another experts perspective on the wide variety of flavors in Scotch Whisky. The print in this book is very small, at times hard to read, but the information makes it worth finding your glasses. This book is one of three books on Scotch Malt Whisky I would not want to be without. If you've come this far, buy the book, I know you'll enjoy it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars comprehensive guide, June 19, 2002

By 

Rosengarten (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guide: Scotch Whisky: Fully Updated for 2001/2002 (Hardcover)

Scotch Whisky by Charles MacLean is a comprehensive guide about the different single malt and blended Scotch whiskies available. It starts with a short history about Scotch whisky and goes on to the making, the regional differences and how to appreciate this very traditional Scottish drink. This is followed by a listing of all the different single malt whiskies and blended whiskies. Each of them is listed by category, distiller and owner. There is also a description of the history of the whisky as well as tasting notes. This guide to whisky is excellent reading for those interested in whisky from the connoisseur to the enthusiastic amateur. And, of course, this book is always a superb gift which is usually very much appreciated.