The Story of Whisky

by Charles MacLean, Gavin D. Smith, Sir Alexander McCall Smith (Foreword by)

Overview

‘For the reader who knows little about whisky, this is a book that will easily and enjoyably fill that gap.’ Sir Alexander McCall Smith

This stylish, comprehensive guide takes the reader from the origins of distilling in 1200BC, through remarkable stories of the pioneers and inventors that have helped shape the story of whisky, to the issues surrounding whisky production today: from sustainability concerns to the use of heritage barley and corn and the problem of fake whiskys.

Award-winning writers Charles MacLean and Gavin D. Smith offer a rollocking narrative; describing the adventures of legendary characters who shaped the whisky industry, from John Jameson in Dublin to ‘Nearest Green’ and Jack Daniels in Tennessee; they explore its cultural heritage and journey across the world: from Ernest Shackleton in the South Antarctic to today’s growth of single malt in the USA; and find out how only three basic ingredients – grain, yeast and water ­– combine to make a drink with so many different flavours.

The loose chronological approach starts with the origins of distilling, mainly in China and India, and follows through whisky’s early origins as an illicit alcohol made in the hills of Scotland and Ireland, to the exciting small batch whiskies being produced today by craft distillers and master blenders all over the world. The Story of Whisky immerses the reader in over 100 stories, legends and anecdotes, illustrated with historical images and stunning photographs of landscapes and iconic distilleries: inside and out, and is designed to entertain as well as educate.

Learn how whisky came to be the global success story of today and understand how to appreciate exactly what is in your glass. With flavour influenced as much by history, craft and tradition as it is by science, in The Story of Whisky, readers can find out why their drink tastes the way it does, where whisky flavours come from and how they are changing to embrace the future. The Story of Whisky is the essential guide for any aficionado.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780008735876
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	08/14/2025
Sold by:	HarperCollins Publishers
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	47 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Charles MacLean is the author of 17 books about Scotch whisky, including the standard work on whisky brands, Scotch Whisky, and Malt Whisky, both of which were shortlisted for Glenfiddich Awards. His Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History won Wine & Spirits Book of the Year at the 2004 James Beard Awards and Best Drink Book in the World at the Food Media Awards. The Sunday Times calls him ‘whisky’s finest guru’.

Gavin D. Smith is the author and co-author of some 30 books on whisky and contributing editor, Scotland, for Whisky Magazine. He writes for many other publications including Whisky Advocate, Whiskeria, Whisky Quarterly and The Cask.

Charles Maclean has been researching and writing about whisky since 1981, leading masterclasses, talks and tastings around the world as well as authoring titles on Scottish history and culture. His Pitkin titles include a comprehensive introduction to the drink, Scotch Whisky.

Gavin D. Smith is a freelance journalist and author who specialises in drink subjects, most notably whisky. He is the author and co-author of some 30 whisky books and contributes regularly to a wide range of publications. He lives in the Scottish Borders.

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the award-winning series The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and he now devotes his time to the writing of fiction, including the 44 Scotland Street and the Isabel Dalhousie series. He is the author of over eighty books on a wide array of subjects, and his work has been translated into forty-six languages. Before becoming a full-time writer he was for many years Professor of Medical Law at Edinburgh.