Scotland and its Whiskies: The Great Whiskies, the Distilleries and Their Landscapes [Paperback]

Michael Jackson (Author), Harry Cory Wright (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 4, 2008

In hisMalt Whisky Companion, Michael Jackson—past winner of The Glenfiddich Trophy and no fewer than five Glenfiddich Awards—was the first writer to describe in detail the aromas and flavors of Scotland’s most famous product. Now he goes even deeper into the world of whisky, discussing the terroir that shapes the taste of this classic liquor. Jackson’s passion for Scotland and its whiskies comes through clearly and deliciously, and photographer Harry Cory Wright (Strand: The Shifting Sands of the Outer Hebrides) beautifully captures the landscape’s magnificent colors and textures. Whether studying the ancient forms of barley in the Orkneys, drinking tea with peat-cutters while a storm brews over Islay, or preferring the finished product by the shore at sundown, they bring a personal understanding to the magic of malt.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Rugged Scotland's climate is too chilly to grow wine grapes, but it does support fields of barley and rushing streams of crystal waters. These combine to make Scotch whisky, whose well-aged, single-malt varieties connoisseurs prize above all other distilled spirits save France's cognacs and Armagnacs. Michael Jackson combines his broad knowledge of these whiskies with superb color photographs of Highland vistas in Scotland and its Whiskies. If it's true, as the French contend, that the land itself dictates the kind of wine its vines produce, it follows that Scotland's whiskies will vary from one distillery to another depending on the qualities of grain and water composing the final outcome. Growing taste for artisanal Scotch whisky makes this an especially useful purchase, and its exquisite Highland panoramas make it a worthwhile travel guide as well. Mark Knoblauch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

PRAISE FOR COMPLETE GUIDE TO SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
The best book of its kind yet produced. A work of authority and understanding . . . He is particularly good on his description of each whisky."-The Scotsman
Michael Jackson pours his love of whisky into this wonderfully researched book."
-Evening Times (Glasgow)

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Duncan Baird (March 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844836142
• ISBN-13: 978-1844836147
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 9.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #805,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly magical insite to Scotland and her Whiskies, March 31, 2002

By 

Charles Swett (Moravia, Costa Rica) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Scotland and Its Whiskies: The Great Whiskies and Their Landscapes (Hardcover)

A couple of years ago I was blessed by being given one of the best, if not the best job in the world. "Brand Ambassador" for one of the finest and best known Scotch Whisky Brands. After an all too brief trip to Scotland, I have dedicated most of my free time to reading everything about Scotland and her Whiskies that I can get my hands on.
Mr. Jackson's wonderfully poetic description of the land that now owns my heart has served to make a return trip much more than a wish.
I so loved this book that I made a gift of it to the library of Cardhu Distillery.
Thank you Mr. Jackson for making Scotland come alive to Whisky lovers everywhere.
Slainte bha
Charles Swett

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A combined piece of verbal & photographic art!, December 12, 2005

By 

Rose Glavas (Kilmore, Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Scotland and Its Whiskies (Paperback)

An excellent book about my favourite all time drink! That's how I would describe this well written, beautifully photographed and intricate journey through Scotland, describing its whiskies.

Working together, Jackson and Wright have put together a combined piece of verbal and photographic artwork. The information provided is very educational, but enjoyable, with historic and technical information entwined with Jackson's fireside conversational style making this a pleasure to read. I can't reproduce the photography but I can give you a sample of the style of writing from page 63:

"After I had breathed the air of early Christianity and Celtic myth, the journey back was slow. It was not just the two hours' drive from Fionnphort to Tobermory, the main town of Mull, but also the otherworldliness of the landscape."

This book has been broken up with the chapters as follows: Overture; The Islands; The East; Coda; Directory of distilleries; Glossary, Index and Acknowledgements. I liked the maps each section had that showed where distilleries were either operating, operating with visitor centre, mothballed or operating intermittently; or closed. This information would come in handy if you are planning on visiting the areas yourself.

`Scotland and its Whiskies' is the perfect gift for that special person who has everything (including you!). It is an informative and enjoyable read; while pleasing the eye at the same time.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent addition to any Whisky fans library, February 28, 2006

By 

Polizei Fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scotland and Its Whiskies: The Great Whiskies and Their Landscapes (Hardcover)

This book was purchased along with MJ's 5th Edition Whisky guide. I found it an excellent read while enjoying a nice glass of single malt. The pictures are beautiful and MJ's commentary make me want to visit Scotland and tour the distilleries myself.