Review of Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch
Exploration of Scotch Whisky by Whisky Writer Michael Jackson
The world of Scotch whisky is enormously diverse, with scores of distilleries and hundreds of whiskeys varying according to factors such as blend type, region of origin, age, and the kind of barrels used for maturation. This provides tremendous variety, but for newcomers to Scotch, or even for seasoned drinkers seeking to try something new, the sheer plenitude of options can be overwhelming.
(A note on spelling: Generally, the spelling "whisky" is used for drinks from Scotland, Canada, and Japan, while "whiskey" is applied to those from the United States and Ireland.)
Entering the World of Single Malt Scotch Whisky
For this reason, Michael Jackson’s Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch, 5th Edition (Running Press, 2004, ISBN 0-7624—1313-1) is a valuable resource. Hugely influential British drinks writer Michael Jackson provides the reader with his commentary on over 1,000 different single malt whiskies, from top-selling brands like The Glenlivet 12 Year Old to obscure special editions.
The core of the book is organized by distiller. Jackson provides a short history of each distiller, as well as a description of the locale of the distillery itself. He gives an overview of the characteristic style of the distiller’s whiskies, along with suggestions about the how whisky is best enjoyed (for instance, as an aperitif, as a restorative, as an after-dinner drink, and so on.)
He then looks at each of the distiller’s whiskies individually. Each whiskey is described according to color, aroma, texture, taste, and finish, and then given a final score.
The History, Geography, and Creation of Scotch
In addition to the reviews, the book contains a wealth of information on the various aspects of the world of whisky. Jackson includes sections on the history of whisky, how it is distilled and aged, the meaning of common whisky-related terms, and the numerous local factors that can influence the character of whiskies from different areas. The book is nicely illustrated, with images from famous distilleries, pictures of the production process, and several hundred whiskey bottle labels.
Michael Jackson’s Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of Scotch whisky, and a great guide for curious newcomers who wish to explore the world of this classic drink.
About the Author
British author Michael Jackson (1942-2007) was widely considered one of the foremost writers on beer and whisky during his lifetime. In addition to Michael Jackson’s Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch, he wrote a number of other books including The World Guide to Beer, The World Guide to Whiskey, and Michael Jackson’s Great Beers of Belgium.
Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch
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