Whiskypedia: A Compendium of Scottish Whisky

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Overview

“Charles MacLean is a world authority on malt whisky.” —Daily
Telegraph

Why does
Scotch whisky taste like it does? Where do the flavors come from? How might they have changed over the years?

The flavor of Scotch whisky is as much influenced by history, craft, and tradition as it is by science. Individual distilleries give their whiskies unique characteristics. These ...

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Whiskypedia: A Compendium of Scottish Whisky

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More About This Book

Overview

“Charles MacLean is a world authority on malt whisky.” —Daily
Telegraph

Why does
Scotch whisky taste like it does? Where do the flavors come from? How might they have changed over the years?

The flavor of Scotch whisky is as much influenced by history, craft, and tradition as it is by science. Individual distilleries give their whiskies unique characteristics. These characteristics do not arise magically (as was once thought), nor are they solely the result of the region (as is still thought, by some). They have their roots in the craft and custom of the distillery and of the district in which it is located, but the key influences upon flavor are the distilling equipment itself, how it is operated, and how the spirit is matured.

Whiskypedia explores these influences. For the first time, the flavor and character of every malt whisky distilled in Scotland is explored with reference to how it is made. Introductory sections provide an historical overview, an examination of regional differences, and an explanation of the contribution made by each stage of the production process. This compendium is a comprehensive guide to all the distilleries in Scotland (both malt and grain). Each entry provides a brief account of the distillery’s history and curiosities, lists the bottlings which are currently available,
details how the whisky is made, and explores the flavor and character of each make. Malt whisky is the quintessential “spirit of place,” and this element of the story has been captured by John MacPherson's camera in specially commissioned images which compliment the text. 150 color illustrations

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Editorial Reviews

Booklist - Keir Graff
“MacLean, who won a James Beard Award for Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History (2003), here provides an A–Z guide to Scotland’s most famous export, after golf. Noting in his introduction that differences in flavor are less the result of distilleries’ locations, as is usually thought, than of tradition, technique, and market concerns, he provides information about materials, equipment, and procedures for aficionados curious to make such comparisons. But the heart of these entries lies in the "historical notes" and "curiosities," where the author’s research and enthusiasm are clearly evident. Buyers and collectors will find the list of "expressions" (commonly available bottlings) useful, while many users will jump straight to the informed, richly descriptive tasting notes (Dalmore smells "rich and sherried, with sweet malt, fruit cake, orange peel and marzipan.") As Scotch’s popularity grows, its world changes surprisingly fast, and updated information is crucial. The untimely death of beer and spirits writer Michael Jackson in 2007 makes the eminent MacLean’s work more important than ever. Serious drinkers—this is not a book for beginners—can ask for no better guide.”
Keir Graff - Booklist
“MacLean, who won a James Beard Award for Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History
(2003), here provides an A–Z guide to Scotland’s most famous export,
after golf. Noting in his introduction that differences in flavor are less the result of distilleries’ locations, as is usually thought, than of tradition, technique, and market concerns, he provides information about materials, equipment, and procedures for aficionados curious to make such comparisons. But the heart of these entries lies in the
“historical notes” and “curiosities,” where the author’s research and enthusiasm are clearly evident. Buyers and collectors will find the list of “expressions” (commonly available bottlings) useful, while many users will jump straight to the informed, richly descriptive tasting notes (Dalmore smells “rich and sherried, with sweet malt, fruit cake,
orange peel and marzipan.”) As Scotch’s popularity grows, its world changes surprisingly fast, and updated information is crucial. The untimely death of beer and spirits writer Michael Jackson in 2007 makes the eminent MacLean’s work more important than ever. Serious drinkers—this is not a book for beginners—can ask for no better guide.”
The Sunday Times
“Whisky’s finest guru.”
Booklist
MacLean, who won a James Beard Award for Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History
(2003), here provides an A–Z guide to Scotland’s most famous export,
after golf. Noting in his introduction that differences in flavor are less the result of distilleries’ locations, as is usually thought, than of tradition, technique, and market concerns, he provides information about materials, equipment, and procedures for aficionados curious to make such comparisons. But the heart of these entries lies in the
“historical notes” and “curiosities,” where the author’s research and enthusiasm are clearly evident. Buyers and collectors will find the list of “expressions” (commonly available bottlings) useful, while many users will jump straight to the informed, richly descriptive tasting notes (Dalmore smells “rich and sherried, with sweet malt, fruit cake,
orange peel and marzipan.”) As Scotch’s popularity grows, its world changes surprisingly fast, and updated information is crucial. The untimely death of beer and spirits writer Michael Jackson in 2007 makes the eminent MacLean’s work more important than ever. Serious drinkers—this is not a book for beginners—can ask for no better guide.— Keir Graff
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781620871072
  • Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
  • Publication date: 11/21/2012
  • Edition description: Reprint
  • Pages: 368
  • Sales rank: 582,778
  • Product dimensions: 5.50 (w) x 8.40 (h) x 0.60 (d)

Meet the Author

Charles MacLean has been researching and writing books and articles about whisky since 1981. He shares his enthusiasm and knowledge by giving talks and tastings around the world, by leading “whisky expeditions” in Scotland (The Whisky Train and
Whisky Cruises), and by presenting training programs and classes for whisky companies, clubs, and individuals. His eight books on whisky include the standard work on whisky brands, Scotch Whisky,
and the leading book on its subject, Malt Whisky, both of which were short-listed for Glenfiddich Awards. He is a member of the
Judging Panel (Spirits) of the International Wines & Spirits Competition.
He acts as a consultant to the whisky industry on a variety of matters, and was elected a Keeper of the Quaich, the industry’s highest accolade. He is a Visiting Lecturer to the Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, and a Councilor of the Clan Maclean. He lives near Edinburgh.
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Table of Contents

Foreword 7

Historical Overview 9

Understanding the Label 20

A Taxonomy of Scotch 22

Regional Differences 23

Key to Entries 27

Gazetteer of Distilleries 39

Who Owns Whom? 327

Top Ten Single Malts 2007 333

World Consumption of Bottled Malt Whisky 2000-2007 334

Major Consumers of Bottled Malt Whisky 2007 335

Leading Independent Bottlers 337

Sources and Acknowledgements 347

Charles MacLean 351

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