Whiskey Distilled: A Populist Guide to the Water of Life

This book is amazing, and reads very fast.The author explains the different ways to enjoy whiskey in an easy to understand way. She starts off with a more general explanation of what whiskey is, the different types of whiskeys, bourbon, scotch, etc. And the lesson at the end of it all : don't drink what others tell you is good, drink what you enjoy.A lot of the analysis is compared to wine, as most people have a better understanding of wines, and that can translate to spirits.She also has a YouTube channel that goes through the same things, but in 5-minute chunks and spread over a few episodes. Watching those episodes pushed me to learn more... So I bought this book. And it did not disappoint.

i started getting into whiskey about a year ago after sipping some Pappy in Vegas. I have become pretty knowledgable about the bourbon industry but didn't know much about scotches and Irish whiskeys and the others. The writing is humorous and light. She is very experienced and very knowledgable. Hard to put a book like this out in this internet day and age where you could really learn all of this with a few google searches. Nevertheless, it's a quick read and very educational. Also, the Scottish don't know how to use adjectives!!! Single malt isn't a single malt. It's a whiskey distilled at a single distillary.

Heather Greene has created the whiskey book I have been looking for. Taking me from zero to hero in a short time. I have always loved whiskey (bartending for years) and am starting my home whiskey collection just as this book happened to hit the shelves. Lucky me. I now have the entry point I needed to create the collection that fits my personality and also be knowledgeable about it. Mrs. Greene has organized the material in a way that is easily digested and accessible to the enthusiast like myself. Already I am going back over the passages I highlighted to remember to use and impress my friends as we taste different whiskeys in my home. Great read, and great info. Well done.

Interesting and informative. Even if you did not pick up this book because you wanted to know more about your favorite beverage, you would find it a really pleasurable read.

This is a worthwhile introduction and refernce written in an accessible style. Being more familiar with American whiskey I was surprised tto see her place High West (primarily a blender and bottler) and Kentuky Bourbon Distillers (Willett, Noah's Mill, Rowan's Creek) on her list of " grain to bottle distillers, doing everything on site" page 157. Both of these distillers offer excellent whiskey but neither are grain to bottle. What little has actually been distilled on site is small compared to what is sourced from elsewhere. This is reasonable for start ups, after all it does take time to produce a mature product. Noah's Mill and Rowan's Creek are sourced. This is not to infer sourced whiskey is inferior per se. Far from it. What defines a "craft or artisanal" distiller is a matter of open discussion and these details matter. The chapters on whiskey making and buillding your bar were solid.. I have yet to read the whiskey fundamentals chapter but it looks excellent as well from a brief browse.

Learn about science and the hows and whys of why different whiskeys smell a certain way, taste etc.. Learn about different regions, mash bills, culture and how it all affects what is in your glass. Best whiskey read I have red to date

This book in a fun an simple way made the complex understandable. I have left my vodka and I am deep into whiskey now. Heather Greene changed my drinking of whiskey into an adventure in olfactory pleasures. So, you should read this book and go forth into the whiskey world. Leave your other spirits behind. Plus, it's an American tradition. Be patriotic, Drink Whiskey.

A nice presentation of whiskey.

A really great book by true whiskey expert!

Great

Very informative especially if you want to understand what it is you are purchasing, nosing and tasting. Makes me want to retry some whisky's that Ididn't care for years ago, but now with better understanding I may find to my liking. With more understanding and the suggested brands to try it is far less confusing when choosing what to purchase from shelves of different whiskys.

This book is beyond a guide, when you start reading it, its like savouring a fine dram, you start enjoying the read and that when the cobweb of a guide vanishes from your head. Heather Greene, manages to demystify the world of whisky into a very uncomplicated tonality. The book encompasses almost every aspect from the whisky fundamentals of how to taste, the primary aspects of appreciation, to whiskies from around the world, into the world of whisky making, the magic of casks, some great cocktails, food and whisky pairing. A small section which I am particularly fond of is - whisky for the wine lovers chart ! There is something there for everyone and not only that, its a great book for the reader to embark on a journey to evoke one’s olfactory senses and understand the water of life better.

I must have for a whisk(e)y lover...fan.... enthusiast