Spirits Distilled: With Cocktails Mixed by Michael Butt

by Mark Ridgwell, Michael Butt (Contribution by)

Overview

• This is about spirits and not drinks, about what's in the bottles and not about brands

• Gives people, whether in the spirits trade or consumers, a thorough knowledge of all spirits, how and where they're made and why they taste the way they do, invaluable for anybody studying, selling or making spirits

• Essential cocktail recipes for each major spirit provide clear cocktail-making instructions for both professional and amateur mixologists

Every bartender must know each and every ingredient behind the bar. The third edition of Spirits distilled, by Mark Ridgwell, is a comprehensive guide to all of the major spirits categories. Taking the reader through the principles of distillation to an explanation on how to taste spirits, Ridgwell reveals the history and legends behind vodka, gin, tequila, genever, rum, brandies, liqueurs, eaux-de-vie, flavoured white spirits and the entire range of whiskies. Lovers of spirits will find this book to be an invaluable resource for understanding and appreciating the world of spirits from a qualitative rather than quantitative perspective. Professionals too will find the quizzes in Spirits distilled a particularly useful tool for understanding better the spirits they sell. This edition of Spirits distilled contains a new chapter on cocktails by drinks consultant Michael Butt, with a section at the end of each spirit chapter detailing the best cocktails featuring that spirit. An essential book that belongs on the reference shelf of everyone who works with or enjoys spirits, Spirits distilled is a classic in the making.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781913141752
Publisher:	Academie du Vin Library Ltd
Publication date:	02/06/2024
Series:	The Classic Wine Library
Edition description:	3rd Edition
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.79(d)

About the Author

Mark Ridgwell has worked with many of the world's leading spirit companies. The pinnacle of his corporate career was launching Maker's Mark outside the US. In 1999 Mark set up Taste & Flavour, a passionate network of speakers and spirit enthusiasts. A Musketeer of Armagnac, appointed Cognac Educator, Consul of Tequila and Wine and Spirit Education Trust Approved Programme Provider, Mark worked with WSET to create its Level 1 Award in Spirits, a unique vocational spirit and liqueur qualification. Michael Butt began his career working as a bartender at some of London's finest cocktail bars before setting up Soulshakers, a London-based drinks consultancy firm responsible for the drinks menus at some of the city's best bars and restaurants.

Table of Contents

1. The principles of distillation 2. Tasting spirits 3. Making cocktails 4. Vodka Making cocktails with vodka 5. Tequila Making cocktails with tequila 6. Genever and gin Making cocktails with gin 7. Other flavoured white spirits 8. Rum Making cocktails with rum 9. Brandy Making cocktails with brandy 10. Liqueurs 11. Eaux-de-vie 12. Irish whiskey 13. American whisk(e)y Making cocktails with American whisk(e)y 14. Canadian whisky 15. Japanese whisky 16. Scotch whisky Making cocktails with Scotch whisky Epilogue Index About the author

Editorial Reviews

"Given the increased interest in spirits, this is a wonderfully timely book."

"Those who work with spirits or simply enjoy them should take a look at a new book on the intoxicating subject."

"An excellent reference manual for industry professionals."

"This is a decent addition to the bookshelves"

"An absolutely fascinating book"

From the Publisher

"I don’t really like drinks books. They normally preach to me and I feel SMALL. [Mark Ridgwell’s Spirits distilled, however, in particular], the mescal and tequila page [was] so good. I finished it. What an oeuvre."

Rupert Ponsonby - Director R and R Teamwork Media Relations

"Great book. Rare to get such a conversational tone along with so much factual material. It’s normally one or the other."

Graham Holter

"This is an absolute must for anyone who is thinking of becoming a bartender, the information in here is invaluable for them. I would definitely recommend it."

Michael John Sweetman - National Vice President of UKBG