Despite its tiny size, seven different whisky distilleries populate the Isle of Islay, where some of the wildest and most flavorful hops in the malt-whisky spectrum are grown. Scotland’s renowned island is uncovered in this fascinating account, including its rich history—chock-full of stories of shipwrecks and storms—and its luscious wildlife and landscape. Interwoven in the narrative are tales of the whiskies themselves, traced from a distant past of illegal stills to their present-day prosperity. The flavor of each spirit is analyzed and the differences between them teased out, as are the stories of the notable men and women who played an integral part in their creation. Wonderfully evocative, this is the story of a place and a taste never to be forgotten once sampled.
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Andrew Jefford writes so beautifully that I suspect he could make a history of galvanised steel bolts seem graceful and absorbing. And so this is not simply an appreciation of whisky, but a voyage into the history and geography of a tiny Scottish island -- Daily Mail The attention to detail and thoroughness of this book brings the distilleries so vividly alive that you can almost smell the whisky. Thoroughly recommended to whisky connoisseur and dabbler alike -- Birmingham Evening Mail There's no better book about these whiskies than Andrew Jefford's PEAT SMOKE AND SPIRIT... Jefford is an excellent writer... In PEAT SMOKE AND SPIRIT, Andrew Jefford has written a compelling narrative that succeeds on every level -- Mid-Atlantic Brewing News
About the Author
Andrew Jefford has won eight Glenfiddich Awards for his food writing, along with several other awards. He is the former drink correspondent for the Evening Standard, and his previous works include After-Dinner Drinks, Choosing Wine, The New France, and The World of Wine.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
If you want a taste of the Western Isles of Scotland then there is no better book than Peak Smoke and Spirit. Andrew Jefford has distilled a lot of history into these chapters, capping off each chapter with a tour of one of the seven remaining Islay distilleries, among them Lagavulin and Laphroaig. You don't necessarily need to know the Islay whiskies to appreciate this book, but it helps. Jefford invites his readers to have a dram of each of the whiskies in reading the chapters, as he taunts you with the many aromas produced by these fine single malts as they are drawn from their oak casks. In the tradition of great Scottish writers like Neil Ascherson and Edwin Muir, Jefford takes in the terrain of the island as well as its history, following rivers along their courses to the distilleries and noting the flora and fauna along the way, so that you get a sense of the origins of these famous malted whiskies. He describes the processes in the distilleries in easy to follow terms, along with illustrations to distinguish between the types of vats employed. It was interesting to me that these distilleries were rather small operations, keeping their long standing traditions alive despite the numerous ownership changes over the years. Jefford notes that it was often difficult to get the distilleries to divulge their "secrets," despite it being virtually impossible to replicate these tastes even if you knew all that went into these whiskies, which is why these distilleries have all struggled over the years to maintain their markets. Jefford also describes the various clan battles over the centuries for control of the islands, and how the Hebrides were virtually a nation of islands onto itself at one point, forming a bridge between Irish and Scottish Gaelic culture.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By J. Klerks
This book is about the Scottish (Inner Hebrides) island of Islay and it's famous peated whisky. In sixteen chapters, the author pays attention and tribute to each of the seven distilleries, alternated by typical Islay topics such as history, nature, weather and even shipwrecks.
If you're into Islay whiskies you have to like this book, there's no other way. The book was written by one either, and it shows. Hence it's easy to forgive the vocabulary, which isn't exactly simplified English at times, but then again whisky is no simplified drink either. And yes, the best way to get into the book is with a dram (or two) by your side. If you were ever looking for a comprehensive read about Islay and its whiskies, this is it.
If you're into Islay whiskies you have to like this book, there's no other way. The book was written by one either, and it shows. Hence it's easy to forgive the vocabulary, which isn't exactly simplified English at times, but then again whisky is no simplified drink either. And yes, the best way to get into the book is with a dram (or two) by your side. If you were ever looking for a comprehensive read about Islay and its whiskies, this is it.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By B. Maestas
Amazon Verified Purchase
My favorite whisky vlogger Ralfy Mitchell suggested this book as one of only a few must-have whisky texts. In a sea of books on whisky, it is not such an easy task to suggest but a few. Many of the available books can be quite expensive so it's not just a matter of redundancies but of finances as well!
I have many other entertaining and wonderfully-photographed books on whisky but by far, this is the most fulfilling intellectually. Chock full of etymological analysis and biological and historical facts, it must certainly rank as one of the most exhaustive texts on Islay (and its whiskies) to date. I must admit that I initially found the extensive bits about some of the early clan figures and their feuds a bit dry but after careful reading and absorption, it fit right in with the all-encompassing nature of the book.
I still had some questions regarding specifics of the distillation process and this book answered every one. It covers just about everything you'd ever want to know about the basics and delves further into the individual idiosyncrasies of each distillery. What are the particulars of Lagavulin's condensers? What are the lyne arm angles at Bunnahabhain? What are the spirit cuts at Laphroaig? All this and more are revealed in minute detail. Mr. Jefford also tackles some of the more controversial aspects of whisky production including the influence of peat levels in the water source, what role (if any) seaside maturation plays and the preferences for wood or stainless steel washbacks, among many other things.
Mercifully, this is not simply a dry technical text either so just as much energy is put into exploring the geology, natural history, weather and culture of Islay and its people. Perhaps an updated version is in order since quite a bit has changed since the book was written however it is still a fascinating book and if you're a lover of single malt, you'd be doing yourself a big favor in owning it.
I have many other entertaining and wonderfully-photographed books on whisky but by far, this is the most fulfilling intellectually. Chock full of etymological analysis and biological and historical facts, it must certainly rank as one of the most exhaustive texts on Islay (and its whiskies) to date. I must admit that I initially found the extensive bits about some of the early clan figures and their feuds a bit dry but after careful reading and absorption, it fit right in with the all-encompassing nature of the book.
I still had some questions regarding specifics of the distillation process and this book answered every one. It covers just about everything you'd ever want to know about the basics and delves further into the individual idiosyncrasies of each distillery. What are the particulars of Lagavulin's condensers? What are the lyne arm angles at Bunnahabhain? What are the spirit cuts at Laphroaig? All this and more are revealed in minute detail. Mr. Jefford also tackles some of the more controversial aspects of whisky production including the influence of peat levels in the water source, what role (if any) seaside maturation plays and the preferences for wood or stainless steel washbacks, among many other things.
Mercifully, this is not simply a dry technical text either so just as much energy is put into exploring the geology, natural history, weather and culture of Islay and its people. Perhaps an updated version is in order since quite a bit has changed since the book was written however it is still a fascinating book and if you're a lover of single malt, you'd be doing yourself a big favor in owning it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you have an interest in Islay and Whisk(e)y, this is your book...
Really well written. There's a lot of detail in here, beyond the topic of distillery and whisky making. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Czarnecki
2.0 out of 5 stars
Essay grade: A
This book tells "the story of Islay" and its whiskies. And one gets to know all about them, IF one can muddle through the writing that resembles a polished but entirely vacuous... Read more
Published 12 months ago by dissonance
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well Worth Reading!
Whisky aficionados who enjoy reading about the beverage they are consuming may want to consider adding this work to their library. Why? Read more
Published on May 18, 2011 by Jonathan D. Stubbs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extensive Analysis
This book is a must for those that want to explore the differences between the Islay scotches. The author documents every difference he could find that could possibly explain why a... Read more
Published on April 2, 2011 by S. Greenwood
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome!
This is just a great book. I am not sure why it's so difficult to track down but it's worth the trouble. Read more
Published on October 6, 2010 by Steven Ham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Next Best Thing to Being on Islay
I didn't know much about the tiny island of Islay before, other than I liked some of the whiskies that came from there. Read more
Published on December 29, 2009 by T. Meushaw
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