William Wyckoff
"Bringing his keen geographer's eye to a truly American topic, Karl Raitz examines the rich story of distilling in its Kentucky heartland and traces its maturation from a local craft to an enduring industry. This veteran scholar of the American scene brings to life the distilling landscape and links it to both the fascinating people and the ecological settings that made such an industry possible. Like a fine Kentucky bourbon, savor every sip of this delicious book!"
Joseph S. Wood
"Making Bourbon, a comprehensive analysis of Kentucky distilling's deep roots in ecology, heritage, technology, and place, exemplifies geographical thinking at its finest. Author Karl Raitz excavates the mythical whiskey landscape to fathom the work of nineteenth-century farmer-miller-distillers who assembled folk knowledge, raw materials, and technical innovation to produce, market, and ship whiskey—processes that would shape a unique regional landscape for centuries to come."
David E. Hamilton
"Karl Raitz's Making Bourbon is a gem. The depth of Raitz's research and the breadth of his analysis have produced a masterful telling of the shift from craft to industrial distilling. And in telling us the story of bourbon, Raitz also makes a terrific contribution to our understanding of America's nineteenth-century economy."
Stephen Birdsall
"This is a wonderful trek across the geographical history of Kentucky bourbon landscape evolution. The familiar present has deep roots in the past. Raitz details with care and admirable clarity how the past remains present in the products and places of Kentucky's history and landscapes. He carefully traces the most important tangible characteristics while also highlighting the distillers' traditions, values, and practices. This will be a valuable sourcebook for all who are fascinated by this iconic American beverage."
From the Publisher
"Bringing his keen geographer's eye to a truly American topic, Karl Raitz examines the rich story of distilling in its Kentucky heartland and traces its maturation from a local craft to an enduring industry. This veteran scholar of the American scene brings to life the distilling landscape and links it to both the fascinating people and the ecological settings that made such an industry possible. Like a fine Kentucky bourbon, savor every sip of this delicious book!" William Wyckoff, author of How to Read the American West: A Field Guide