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From Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover's Guide to Ireland
This comprehensive field guide to Ireland's robust and growing whiskey scene is the ultimate itinerary for whiskey beginners and connoisseurs, alike.
An Irish whiskey guru, two bartender behemoths, and an adept writer combine forces to create this comprehensive guide to Irish whiskey. The book begins with an in-depth introduction to whiskey and its history in Ireland, including what makes each style of Irish whiskey unique. What follows is a detailed tour, including photographs, around the four Irish provinces, and of the 22 different distilleries and the unique Irish whiskeys each produces, as well as a discussion of the booming present and promising future for Irish whiskey producers. Each province also highlights the best of Ireland's 50 iconic bars and pubs, linking past to present and providing the ultimate whiskey tourist itinerary. The fun really begins when the masterminds behind 2015’s “World’s Best Bar,” Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, share 12 original mixed-drink recipes tailor-made for Irish spirits.
An Irish whiskey guru, two bartender behemoths, and an adept writer combine forces to create this comprehensive guide to Irish whiskey. The book begins with an in-depth introduction to whiskey and its history in Ireland, including what makes each style of Irish whiskey unique. What follows is a detailed tour, including photographs, around the four Irish provinces, and of the 22 different distilleries and the unique Irish whiskeys each produces, as well as a discussion of the booming present and promising future for Irish whiskey producers. Each province also highlights the best of Ireland's 50 iconic bars and pubs, linking past to present and providing the ultimate whiskey tourist itinerary. The fun really begins when the masterminds behind 2015’s “World’s Best Bar,” Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, share 12 original mixed-drink recipes tailor-made for Irish spirits.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published April 16, 2019
16 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 2, 2021
A Great Virtual Visit and Trip-Planning Guide for 2021 when the Pandemic Ends
2020 has been a pretty dreadful year for everyone is almost every way, especially for whisky distillery visits and pubs. No way to put a positive spin on it really. But I wanted to think ahead when things finally turn the corner, so much of the year was spend watching YouTube videos about Irish distilleries, classic old pubs, and charming country villages.
I read From Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover’s Guide to Ireland during the holiday, pinning each pub and distillery on Google Maps for a future tour of Ireland. It’s the closest I could get to traveling. It's a great book, written with great charm and humour and love for whiskey-making, drinking, and all the people who are involved distilling it. It has great glossy photos of so many charming classic old spirit grocers and the publicans who have served as caretakers for these community meeting places, often for generations. It's a story as much about local community as it is about whiskey. And it really fired up my desire to go around the corners of the Emerald Isle and experience some authentic Irish craic and music over a few pints and wee drams.
Turns out a friend of mine here in North London is from Fethard, County Tipperary, and grew up just 4 minutes away from McCarthy’s, a classic Irish spirit grocers where plenty a horse trade was discussed over pints. Small world indeed.
2020 has been a pretty dreadful year for everyone is almost every way, especially for whisky distillery visits and pubs. No way to put a positive spin on it really. But I wanted to think ahead when things finally turn the corner, so much of the year was spend watching YouTube videos about Irish distilleries, classic old pubs, and charming country villages.
I read From Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover’s Guide to Ireland during the holiday, pinning each pub and distillery on Google Maps for a future tour of Ireland. It’s the closest I could get to traveling. It's a great book, written with great charm and humour and love for whiskey-making, drinking, and all the people who are involved distilling it. It has great glossy photos of so many charming classic old spirit grocers and the publicans who have served as caretakers for these community meeting places, often for generations. It's a story as much about local community as it is about whiskey. And it really fired up my desire to go around the corners of the Emerald Isle and experience some authentic Irish craic and music over a few pints and wee drams.
Turns out a friend of mine here in North London is from Fethard, County Tipperary, and grew up just 4 minutes away from McCarthy’s, a classic Irish spirit grocers where plenty a horse trade was discussed over pints. Small world indeed.
April 18, 2019
If you're looking for a book about Irish whiskey -- especially in its contemporary iteration -- then this book is it. From distilleries to pubs and beyond, From Barley to Blarney gives you a great look at all of the things going on in the home of whiskey. It's great to have as both a travel guide and as reference tool.
July 5, 2019
I wish this would have been out before we went to Ireland last year. Gorgeously shot and a great reference guide that makes me miss the Emerald Isle.
December 20, 2020
Already making my list of where to go when I get back to Ireland...
July 25, 2021
Features reviews of distilleries that were/are still at the development, or even the planning, stage. Not sure how that works: a Guide to stuff that hasn't been made yet?
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews