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The World Guide to Whisky
Illustrated with over 200 colour photographs, this comprehensive guide looks in detail at distilling methods, geographical features and social traditions that affect the taste of whisky (or whiskey) in every significant producing region of the world. With a sense of its distinguished history, Michael Jackson shows us why whisky is a spirit both fascinating in its variety and in its claim to a nobility that is the match of any Armagnac or Cognac. The guide is not only wide-ranging international scope, it also presents a detailed approach to the increasingly popular single malts of Scotland. With maps showing the location of every distillery, the whisky regions of Scotland are redefined, taking into account both the broad traditional areas and the individual islands and river valleys, which often have their own specific affinities of style. Additionally there are 38 pages of taste-guides, on which over 300 labels are reproduced in full colour for ease of reference. Besides detailing the characteristics of Scotland's single malts, these taste guides aim to inspire the reader to discover the differences between the "Irish" of Bushmills and the Bourbon of Bardstown, the Sour Mash of Tullahoma and single malt of Sanraku Ocean. With the palate of a connoisseur and the eye of a travel writer, Michael Jackson matches an objective, discerning approach with an entertaining enthusiasm, in a manner to suit both those already familiar with the pleasures of whisky and those about to start their exploration.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
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About the author
Michael Jackson
66 books9 followersLibrarian 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...
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...
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 2, 2025
Slightly dated information due to being an older publication, but a well structured and informative read for anyone wishing to take a deep dive into whisk(e)y and learn about individual distilleries.
November 13, 2017
A really good omnibus of whiskies. It's primary focus is on Scotch, of course, but it spends time in the USA, Canada, Ireland, and Japan - not enough time, but I'll take what I can get for now.
October 30, 2021
I almost hesitate to critique this book, since it is so old and so clearly revered by whisky fans.
I can see why it is such a classic of the field. It's beautifully made, and must have been trying comprehensive for its day. It goes without saying, of course, that the whisky world has changed immensely over the last 15 or so years. That is no fault of the book.
The intense reverence for Scotland is inevitable, I suppose, but there are clear factual errors and exaggerations that are simply eye roll inducing. No, Scotland is not the world's biggest barley producer...
The rest of the world is treated largely as a footnote, or as an exercise in tired cliche (American pioneer spirit, or "losing face, a fate worse than death" in Japan).
There may not be more beautiful whisky books, but there are plenty of ones with all the same information, without the outdated attitudes.
I can see why it is such a classic of the field. It's beautifully made, and must have been trying comprehensive for its day. It goes without saying, of course, that the whisky world has changed immensely over the last 15 or so years. That is no fault of the book.
The intense reverence for Scotland is inevitable, I suppose, but there are clear factual errors and exaggerations that are simply eye roll inducing. No, Scotland is not the world's biggest barley producer...
The rest of the world is treated largely as a footnote, or as an exercise in tired cliche (American pioneer spirit, or "losing face, a fate worse than death" in Japan).
There may not be more beautiful whisky books, but there are plenty of ones with all the same information, without the outdated attitudes.
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February 9, 2020Læst på dansk som “Politikens bog om Whisky”
December 4, 2020
It's The Definitive World Guide in Whisky. What else can I say?
January 24, 2012
Let me be blunt and upfront by stating that the redeeming points of this book are the eye candy DK-patented images and the regional anecdotes pertaining to whiskey.
The book, amazingly (taking into consideration the contribution given by Michael Jackson) fails at achieving technical rigor; Case-in-point, the first thing one reads as soon as one turns the last indexed page: "Ale: Any beer that is black and bitter." This of course is an absolute monstrosity, especially considering it's located in the remissive index, which is supposed to serve as support for technical understanding. Theres other examples, albeit not as crass.
The book also indulges in romantic superstitious that even some contributors hint at being just that, unfounded snobbish supersticion. There's so much to write about in Zymurgy and Destilling that it's hard to believe that the authors failed at writting a book on whiskey without resorting to these types of superstitions.
Some technical topics are so rushed that the writting feels disjointed while other topics are crammed into a few paragraphs eventhough the concepts are pretty straight forward. I am a brewer with dozens of brewing books under my belt, and although not a whiskey buff theres very little techincal information that one gets out of the book.
The book, amazingly (taking into consideration the contribution given by Michael Jackson) fails at achieving technical rigor; Case-in-point, the first thing one reads as soon as one turns the last indexed page: "Ale: Any beer that is black and bitter." This of course is an absolute monstrosity, especially considering it's located in the remissive index, which is supposed to serve as support for technical understanding. Theres other examples, albeit not as crass.
The book also indulges in romantic superstitious that even some contributors hint at being just that, unfounded snobbish supersticion. There's so much to write about in Zymurgy and Destilling that it's hard to believe that the authors failed at writting a book on whiskey without resorting to these types of superstitions.
Some technical topics are so rushed that the writting feels disjointed while other topics are crammed into a few paragraphs eventhough the concepts are pretty straight forward. I am a brewer with dozens of brewing books under my belt, and although not a whiskey buff theres very little techincal information that one gets out of the book.
March 3, 2016
An absolutely stunning read with wonderful pictures and memorable passages. It is a wonderful book to seek out if you have any interest whatsoever in whisky, its history, and its production.
It is a shame that Michael Jackson (not the pop singer) passed away before he could write a follow-up to this.
It is a shame that Michael Jackson (not the pop singer) passed away before he could write a follow-up to this.
January 9, 2008
Michael Jackson is not a pop-singer--All you ever wanted to know about whisk(e)y, with really amazing photos to go along with it. Be careful--I had to give my copy away.
April 14, 2008
The bible of Whisky. It is astounding!
October 16, 2009
Again, the title of the book says it all.
July 29, 2011
not modest but he is good
September 20, 2012
whisk(e)y is good.
April 19, 2014
was once an excellent book, but someone decided to make an American edition and misspell the word whisky throughout which made it unreadable for me.
August 12, 2016
A great go to guide, for everything you want to know about whiskey.
Full review at: http://www.sukasastyle.com/2014/06/wh...
Full review at: http://www.sukasastyle.com/2014/06/wh...
December 2, 2014
great book for the whiskey lover. I wish it went in more details for us beginners but I def learned a good deal about upper class whiskey
September 4, 2008
Whisky is awesome.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews