The Story of Whisky

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

Beginning with the origins of distilling in 1200BC by alchemists in China and India, journey 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.

Through over 100 stories, legends and anecdotes, discover the origins of the quaich, whisky glass and corkscrew: and look inside iconic distilleries from around the world with stunning photographs and historic images.

Award-winning writers Charles MacLean and Gavin D. Smith offer a rollocking narrative; describing the adventures of the legendary characters who shaped the whisky industry. With flavour influenced as much by history, craft and tradition as it is by science, in The Story of Whisky, find out why your drink tastes the way it does, where whisky flavours come from and how they are changing to embrace the future..

Charles Maclean is the author of seventeen 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.