Scotland and its Whiskies: The Great Whiskies, the Distilleries and their Landscapes

by Michael Jackson

In his Malt Whisky Companion , Michael Jackson?past winner of The Glenfiddich Trophy and no fewer than five Glenfiddich Awards?was the first writer to describe in detail the aromas and flavors of Scotland’s most famous product. Now he goes even deeper into the world of whisky, discussing the terroir that shapes the taste of this classic liquor. Jackson’s passion for Scotland and its whiskies comes through clearly and deliciously, and photographer Harry Cory Wright ( The Shifting Sands of the Outer Hebrides ) beautifully captures the landscape’s magnificent colors and textures. Whether studying the ancient forms of barley in the Orkneys, drinking tea with peat-cutters while a storm brews over Islay, or preferring the finished product by the shore at sundown, they bring a personal understanding to the magic of malt.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, History, Food and Drink

244 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Michael James Jackson (27 March 1942 – 30 August 2007) was an English writer and journalist. He was the author of many influential books about beer and whisky.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael...

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book, an excellent journey through Scotch whisky's history and present. I loved it and believe any Scotch fan would too.

[Leticia Carvalho · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photographs complement the greatness of this book.

[Bryan Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the subject is single malt, the book itself is a bit of a blend. Award-winning whisky writer Michael Jackson here divides his attention between the beverages themselves, the distilling process, the distilleries, and (best of all) the history and geography of whisky-producing areas in Scotland. Though I was interested by the stuff about the Scotch, I found myself pleasantly distracted by the travelogue elements of Jackson’s text, particularly the accompanying photos by Harry Cory Wright. This isn’t a tell-me-what-to-buy guide to the subject; Jackson’s written other books along that line. But overall it makes a nice – if brief – introduction to the subject, putting the drink in a solid context of both time and place.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable guide on scotch whisky with some excellent photographs to accompany the writing. As always Michael Jackson gives you good reviews of the scotches and the places they are made. A good guide for anyone wanting to dip their toe (or mouth?) into this wonderful drink. Nearly 20 years old now so I'm not sure how many of the more esoteric distilleries are still open but well worth the time reading.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackson's writing never disappoints.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Their Landscapes,' that's the ticket here. Jackson (may he comfortably rest) as authority on malt takes a backseat here to the poet of place. In fact, this is the kind of book on malt probably only he could write, full of a second-nature expression that can only come from intimacy. More field guide than tasting guide, it's the book I like to open whenever I pour a few fingers.

[Patrick Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less complete of detail than a book like "Peat Smoke and Spirit" but still an interesting read. Very poetic and flowery of prose, this focuses almost entirely on the topography, the look, and the landscapes of the many regions of Scotland. Distilleries are almost an after thought until you get to the appendix, which neatly summarizes each distillery in the nation.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives the historical and geographical background of the various single malt scotches. It was interesting to be able to learn the differences among the ones I have tasted.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is even better reading whilst sitting by the fire in the wine bar at the Snowbird Mountain lodge, looking at the beautiful Scottish landscapes where my dram of choice was distilled...

[Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to whet your appetite (or thirst?!) for a trip to Scotland. The amazing photography, combined with the florid writing of Mr. Jackson, makes for a vivid trip around the country.