Malt Whiskey

by Charles MacLean, Jason Lowe

Scotland's national drink is available in more than 300 brands, styles, and ages, reflecting the diversity of the Scottish people themselves. This beguiling buyer and collector's guide features 250 color photographs, maps, and illustrations, and combines the fascinating story of Scotch whisky's origins with an explanation of the distilling process, including how the various waters, malts, peats, and barleys used affect the flavor and value of the mature product. Tips for conducting a proper tasting session and a directory of whisky societies are provided, as well as tasting notes for the products of every Scottish whisky distiller operating since World War II.

Genres: Nonfiction, Food and Drink, Food, Reference

304 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 1997

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the goodreads data base.

Charles MacLean is a writer whose special subject is Scotch whisky, about which he has published ten books to date, including the standard work on whisky brands, Scotch Whisky and the leading book on its subject, Malt Whisky, both of which were short-listed for Glenfiddich Awards.

Whisky: A Liquid History, published by Cassell in 2003 was named Wine and Spirit Book of the Year (2005) by the James Beard Foundation of New York. MacLean’s Whisky Miscellany followed in 2004, expanded in 2006 as Whisky Tales; in 2008 he was Managing Editor of Dorling Kindersley’s Eyewitness Companion to Whisky, and in 2009 their World Whiskies.Whiskypedia was published in June 2009.

Reviews

[Marco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Completely revised whisky guide which is a good companion exploring the realm of Scotland and its liquid treasures. History, distilling, ingredients, different styles and character, one can read about it all. Includes a directory with distilleries and some facts. Rather dry. Preferably to be digested with a dram.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malt Whisky: The Complete Guide - An excellent introduction
I've been exploring the world of Scotch whisky by sampling the plethora of drams from the different regions of Scotland, namely Speyside, Islay, Highlands, Lowlands, Cambeltown, and the Islands. While sipping a variety of malts in the evenings is of course the main pleasure, I wanted to know more about the origins, history, distilling techniques, and regional differences to give me a better understanding and vocabulary to describe this mysterious and enticing sensory world.

I've read and enjoyed Charles Maclean's Spirit of Place: Whisky Distilleries of Scotland, which is a great way to learn the stories of each distillery and regional characteristics and a perfect primer to prepare for a Scotch whisky tasting tour. This book at hand is the best way to learn about the following chapters:

History:
1) Pre-1450: Early distilling in Europe and the Middle East
2) 1450-1600: Aqua vitae and the first alembics
3) 1600-1822: Rise of distilling in Scotland; the smuggling era
4) 1822-1900: blended whisky; the whisky boom
5) 1900 to present: malt whisky rediscovered

How whisky is made:
Water, barley, yeast, malting, peat, mashing, fermenting, distilling, filling, wood and maturation, warehouses

Whisky tasting:
Sensory evaluation, preparing for a tasting, the tasting procedure, the language of whisky tasting, chemical derivation of flavor, tasting wheels

Whisky regions:
Highlands (North, Speyside, Central, East, West), Cambeltown, The Islands, Islay, Lowlands

A-Z Directory of malt distilleries, with tasting notes and photos of labels

This is the perfect primer, so what are you waiting for?

[Julie Thomason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I found this a fascinating read, I particularly found the history section interesting. Not being of a scientific bent the section on the production process a bit of a hard section to get through. Not a fan of whisky though have found the odd one I liked, it has inspired to go and and discover more about this complex and curious drink.

[Erik Fortmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely not for the casual reader. You really need to be at least somewhat into single malt scotch to appreciate “Malt Whisky”. If that is the case, you are going to have some fun. History, How Whisky Is Made, Whisky Tasting, The Whisky Regions, and an extensive Directory will keep the reader well informed about everything scotch. Charles MacLean is also an excellent writer so, you will not be bored at all with the presentation. Do keep in mind that this edition was updated in 2014. The core content however, is timeless. What I was most taken by was a brilliant summary at the conclusion of every single scotch distillery that has functioned since 1945, including a company history and core tasting notes for the brand. This includes closed distilleries so that the reader will be able to identify the story of any single malt he might reasonably come across in present times. If you like scotch and want to learn more, you will LOVE this book.

[Alan Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the handy portable sized revised edition and is a wonderful "little" book. There is so much information packed into the compact size book including a history of whisky, a section on how it is made and there is a directory of all of Scotland's distilleries with tasting notes of some of the whiskies produced, whether they have a visitor's centre etc and there are some excellent colour maps and moody b & w photos of windswept Scottish landscapes. I have made a note of a dozen whiskies that I know want to try after reading this book.

It even includes a section towards the end of the book which provides tips on buying whisky and collecting it as an investment. It also recommends certain whisky websites and periodicals and there are even dedicated whisky TV channels available on the internet.

When all of these recommendations come from Charles MacLean, one of Scotland's leading whisky experts then you know you are getting very good advice indeed.

I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Scotch whisky, whether they are just starting out on the road to discovery of this wonderful spirit or, if like me, they think they know a little bit about it already but realise that there is whole lot more to learn. What a great subject to study!

[Barry Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts with a brief 35 page history of Malt Whisky from 1450 to 2010 which is fascinating. It then details how whisky is made and the role each ingredient and process has in forming the distinctive flavours we all love.
The weakest section comes next with a far too detailed study of how to taste whisky (really for purists only!) and the final historical section details main areas of Scottish malt production and their history.
The Directory section details current and recently closed/demolished distilleries and is a great guide to help the enthusiast to look for variety when buying Malt Whisky and the book includes Whisky periodicals and societies.
This was a great book recommended to any but the most knowledgeable Whisky enthusiast.

[Jorgen Lundgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful written book about Scottish Whisky, covering the great history how it all started then the different areas around Scotland in a way you want to see and visit them all. How whisky is made, with a great piece of information, "contemporary sensory scientists estimate that maturation can account for between 60 and 80 per cent of the flavour of malt whisky". And the final words - ,"The wood makes the whiskey ". And tasting advice following with single malt whisky distilleries some gone but most still operating.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most comprehensive, informative, and well-written primer on the history, manufacture, and regions of Scotch whisky that I have read. MacLean's "Malt Whisky" is a must read for anyone interested in the subject.

[Timothy Batson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charles MacLean details the history, heritage and distilling of Scottish Malt Whisky in beautiful detail and candor. Anyone who has a taste and an interest in Scotch would love this companion piece.

[Hunter Marston · Rating 3 out of 5]

A detailed and romantic analysis of the history, culture, and various scenic regions, that go into all those beautiful bottles of scotch whiskey, otherwise known as 'aqua vitae'.

[Rod · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good beginners guide to appreciating malt whisky. Small enough to pack for my summer trips to Scotland too