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A Sense of Place: A journey around Scotland's whisky
2023 Spirited Awards Top 4 Finalist for Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits
A personal journey exploring Scotch whiskey through its terroir, including the land, weather, history, craft and culture that feeds and enhances the whisky itself.
“Mr. Broom, who was born in Glasgow and has been writing about spirits for decades, is the perfect author for this beautiful, evocative book. He knows the whisky territory intimately and the people well, and he has the senses of wonder, empathy and history to tie them altogether, as well as the skill to conjure up the smell of the salt air, the sound of barley shimmering in the wind, the vibrations of hammers shaping copper into stills and the singe of the oak staves as a cooper bends them over fire...With beautiful photography by Christina Kernohan, this is the book to give any lover of single malt, along with a bottle of their favorite whisky.” The Year's Best Books on Wine (and Whisky), The New York Times
“Beautifully written and illustrated.” Fiona Beckett, the Guardian
“This is an engaging, humane and important book. I cannot recommend it too strongly.” Charlie MacLean Keeper Magazine
“A Sense of Place blends pin-sharp writing with evocative photography in a book to savour and treasure.” - Ian Rankin
“A book so beautifully tweedy I actually want to wear it as a hat. I am very glad it includes a map as Dave's authoritative guide has given me many great whisky-holiday ideas.” Damian Barr
“Dave Broom's whisky odyssey is in many ways a story of Scotland and the questions we face....Like a good dram, it's complex, and Dave makes an excellent guide... Christina Kernohan's beautiful photographs of the places and people featured in the book add texture and vibrancy to the a window into the distilleries and lives of the craftspeople.” Best of Scotland
“ Few can match [Broom's] ability to blend together critical thinking, insight and industry knowledge while giving the resulting mix a romantic twist.” Whisky Magazine
In this beautifully crafted narrative, award-winning writer Dave Broom examines Scotch whisky from the point of view of its terroir - the land, weather, history, craft and culture that feed and enhance the whisky itself. Travelling around his native Scotland and visiting distilleries from Islay and Harris to Orkney and Speyside, Dave explores the whiskies made there and the elements in their distilling, and locality, which make them what they are. Along the way he tells the story of whisky's history and considers what whisky is now, and where it is going.
With stunning specially commissioned photography by Christina Kernohan, A Sense of Place will enhance and deepen every whisky drinker's understanding of just what is in their glass.
A personal journey exploring Scotch whiskey through its terroir, including the land, weather, history, craft and culture that feeds and enhances the whisky itself.
“Mr. Broom, who was born in Glasgow and has been writing about spirits for decades, is the perfect author for this beautiful, evocative book. He knows the whisky territory intimately and the people well, and he has the senses of wonder, empathy and history to tie them altogether, as well as the skill to conjure up the smell of the salt air, the sound of barley shimmering in the wind, the vibrations of hammers shaping copper into stills and the singe of the oak staves as a cooper bends them over fire...With beautiful photography by Christina Kernohan, this is the book to give any lover of single malt, along with a bottle of their favorite whisky.” The Year's Best Books on Wine (and Whisky), The New York Times
“Beautifully written and illustrated.” Fiona Beckett, the Guardian
“This is an engaging, humane and important book. I cannot recommend it too strongly.” Charlie MacLean Keeper Magazine
“A Sense of Place blends pin-sharp writing with evocative photography in a book to savour and treasure.” - Ian Rankin
“A book so beautifully tweedy I actually want to wear it as a hat. I am very glad it includes a map as Dave's authoritative guide has given me many great whisky-holiday ideas.” Damian Barr
“Dave Broom's whisky odyssey is in many ways a story of Scotland and the questions we face....Like a good dram, it's complex, and Dave makes an excellent guide... Christina Kernohan's beautiful photographs of the places and people featured in the book add texture and vibrancy to the a window into the distilleries and lives of the craftspeople.” Best of Scotland
“ Few can match [Broom's] ability to blend together critical thinking, insight and industry knowledge while giving the resulting mix a romantic twist.” Whisky Magazine
In this beautifully crafted narrative, award-winning writer Dave Broom examines Scotch whisky from the point of view of its terroir - the land, weather, history, craft and culture that feed and enhance the whisky itself. Travelling around his native Scotland and visiting distilleries from Islay and Harris to Orkney and Speyside, Dave explores the whiskies made there and the elements in their distilling, and locality, which make them what they are. Along the way he tells the story of whisky's history and considers what whisky is now, and where it is going.
With stunning specially commissioned photography by Christina Kernohan, A Sense of Place will enhance and deepen every whisky drinker's understanding of just what is in their glass.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 16, 2023
Beautifully written, intelligent, thoughtful; able to submerge the reader in place. For lovers of whisky, Scotland, the notion of terroir and sustainability. A delight to read.
November 18, 2024
Easily the most satisfying book on scotch I have read yet. This guy can write and set a scene, in this case a focus on the specific places in Scotland and how they influence the final product that we call single malt scotch. This is not so much a book about how to make scotch, although aspects of it are mentioned. It is mostly about how landscape, agriculture, culture, community, and even geology influences scotch. History, agriculture trends, forestry, musicians, writers, and poets all add their respective parts. And gorgeous often full-paged photographs by Christina Kernohan perfectly illustrate and complement Dave’s writing style and points. This is a beautiful book to read and gaze upon. Highly recommended for the scotch curious.
April 26, 2023
This is a beautiful book, in both the writing and the photographs.
Don’t be misled by the subtitle, “A Journey Around Scotland’s Whisky.” The book’s eight chapters only cover a handful of the 140 or more currently active distilleries in Scotland. In fact, of the five or six whisky regions, it only mentions a few. So, it can’t be about ALL of Scotland’s whisky places or styles.
Nor is this a travel book, as the subtitle might imply. The nine chapters visit Orkney (chapter 1), the North-East (2), Spey valley (3), the Peninsulas (4), the Hebrides (6), and Islay (9). The careful reader might ask, “What about 5, 7, and 8?” Well, Chapters 5 and 7 are “Scottish Oak I” “Scottish Oak II”. And 8? That’s “Blends & Perfume”. Yes, Perfume.
Are the sections on Scottish Oak are about ageing that kind of wood? No. No one does that. Cask quality Scottish oak is rare and hard to work with. And Perfume? Well, most scotch (by FAR) is blended, meaning juice of multiple ages and cask treatments, from multiple distilleries, gets mixed together to create a consistent product. That’s why your Johnny Walker Red always tastes like itself, despite variations in harvests and aging. Master Blenders are the magicians who determine how much of which barrels to combine, and what to do with the result. Guess what a Master Blender’s absolutely must have. A good nose—like, a Perfumer.
The (wonderful) photographs by Christina Kernohan portray striking landscapes and seascapes, with close-ups of plants and rocks. Still, this isn’t a Journey of Scottish flora, fauna, and geology. That’s all here, but it isn’t the heart of it.
So, what IS the book about? The answer is in the title: “A Sense of Place.”
As Billy Abbott says in “The Philosophy of Whisky,” whisky is made from five ingredients: barley, yeast, water, wood, and time. I would add a sixth element, and I think Mr. Broom would agree: labor. Look again at the photos. There are so many of people. Different people, in different places, doing various things. These are the farmers, the coopers, the historians, and more. People make Place.
If “A Sense of Place” is a travel guide, it isn’t telling whisky lovers where to go and what to see in Scotland. The sense of the place is everything together: land, water, ocean, air; trees, ferns, and crops; distilleries; history; and above all, people. “A Sense of Place: A Journey Around Scotland’s Whisky” is a tour of Scotch’s soul. One might say, “Place” is what puts the “Life” in “the Water of Life.” Or, as Broom puts it, “ is a visceral link with land, community, the past and the present, an active engagement with all the conditions that brought whisky to life.”
Whether you drink or not, whether you like to travel or not, this is a book worth setting by your easy chair, so you can flip through it at leisure. Honestly, though, wouldn’t you rather do that with a dram in hand? And, hoo boy, why not lift that dram in a dusty Inn with some locals in Scotland?
Don’t be misled by the subtitle, “A Journey Around Scotland’s Whisky.” The book’s eight chapters only cover a handful of the 140 or more currently active distilleries in Scotland. In fact, of the five or six whisky regions, it only mentions a few. So, it can’t be about ALL of Scotland’s whisky places or styles.
Nor is this a travel book, as the subtitle might imply. The nine chapters visit Orkney (chapter 1), the North-East (2), Spey valley (3), the Peninsulas (4), the Hebrides (6), and Islay (9). The careful reader might ask, “What about 5, 7, and 8?” Well, Chapters 5 and 7 are “Scottish Oak I” “Scottish Oak II”. And 8? That’s “Blends & Perfume”. Yes, Perfume.
Are the sections on Scottish Oak are about ageing that kind of wood? No. No one does that. Cask quality Scottish oak is rare and hard to work with. And Perfume? Well, most scotch (by FAR) is blended, meaning juice of multiple ages and cask treatments, from multiple distilleries, gets mixed together to create a consistent product. That’s why your Johnny Walker Red always tastes like itself, despite variations in harvests and aging. Master Blenders are the magicians who determine how much of which barrels to combine, and what to do with the result. Guess what a Master Blender’s absolutely must have. A good nose—like, a Perfumer.
The (wonderful) photographs by Christina Kernohan portray striking landscapes and seascapes, with close-ups of plants and rocks. Still, this isn’t a Journey of Scottish flora, fauna, and geology. That’s all here, but it isn’t the heart of it.
So, what IS the book about? The answer is in the title: “A Sense of Place.”
As Billy Abbott says in “The Philosophy of Whisky,” whisky is made from five ingredients: barley, yeast, water, wood, and time. I would add a sixth element, and I think Mr. Broom would agree: labor. Look again at the photos. There are so many of people. Different people, in different places, doing various things. These are the farmers, the coopers, the historians, and more. People make Place.
If “A Sense of Place” is a travel guide, it isn’t telling whisky lovers where to go and what to see in Scotland. The sense of the place is everything together: land, water, ocean, air; trees, ferns, and crops; distilleries; history; and above all, people. “A Sense of Place: A Journey Around Scotland’s Whisky” is a tour of Scotch’s soul. One might say, “Place” is what puts the “Life” in “the Water of Life.” Or, as Broom puts it, “ is a visceral link with land, community, the past and the present, an active engagement with all the conditions that brought whisky to life.”
Whether you drink or not, whether you like to travel or not, this is a book worth setting by your easy chair, so you can flip through it at leisure. Honestly, though, wouldn’t you rather do that with a dram in hand? And, hoo boy, why not lift that dram in a dusty Inn with some locals in Scotland?
February 18, 2024
I will forever be grateful to Dave Broom for his The World Atlas of Whisky: More Than 350 Expressions Tasted - More Than 150 Distilleries Explored, a book that was very helpful for me when I first started learning about single malt scotch. In both A Sense of Place and The Way of Whisky: A Journey Around Japanese Whisky he isn't so much writing about whisky, but writing books that are whisky-adjacent. From the very beginning of this book, Broom states what he sets out to do: "Whisky can be written about in many different ways, but over the years the aspect that has intrigued me the most is seeing it as a culture product."
And thus begins 250 pages of writing about farmers who grow the barley, forestors who shepherd the oak, The Clearances (which I only knew a little about and know I know MUCH MORE, and IMHO, it's super important), and those working to preserve the peatlands that do so much give Scottish whisky the flavors that makes it scotch. That fact the book is full of beautiful landscape pictures and portraits of a distinct style doesn't hurt the book, either.
If you're the whisk(e)y drinker who is only concerned about mashbills, tasting notes, and rare bottlings this book isn't for you. I would argue no book is good for that, as they change too frequently. That's what the internet is for. But, if you want to go deeper, and get a look at the people who make the whisky you love, what there lives are like, what they add to the final product, this book is very informative and, honestly, just a fresh way of looking at whisky. Yes, terroir is just as important to whisky as it is to wine, I would even argue more so. This mentality is starting to catch on, and I'm very happy for it.
So thanks, Mr Broom, for another fun, educational, beautifully laid out, and thought provoking piece of, again, whisky adjacent, writing! Slainte!!
And thus begins 250 pages of writing about farmers who grow the barley, forestors who shepherd the oak, The Clearances (which I only knew a little about and know I know MUCH MORE, and IMHO, it's super important), and those working to preserve the peatlands that do so much give Scottish whisky the flavors that makes it scotch. That fact the book is full of beautiful landscape pictures and portraits of a distinct style doesn't hurt the book, either.
If you're the whisk(e)y drinker who is only concerned about mashbills, tasting notes, and rare bottlings this book isn't for you. I would argue no book is good for that, as they change too frequently. That's what the internet is for. But, if you want to go deeper, and get a look at the people who make the whisky you love, what there lives are like, what they add to the final product, this book is very informative and, honestly, just a fresh way of looking at whisky. Yes, terroir is just as important to whisky as it is to wine, I would even argue more so. This mentality is starting to catch on, and I'm very happy for it.
So thanks, Mr Broom, for another fun, educational, beautifully laid out, and thought provoking piece of, again, whisky adjacent, writing! Slainte!!
November 4, 2024
I’ve traveled so many miles across Scotland, visiting its stunning landscape and distilleries familiar and new. Yet, this book introduced me to the history behind both in ways no other book has done.
Dave takes us through a remarkable journey from Orkney to the Hebridean isles, from parts of the mainland to the center of cities to (re)introduce us to the whisky. He also helps unravel the complexities of Clearances and its impact on the crofts and glens of the past. His writing and interviews connect you to people who are linking the product back to the place where it is produced, by the people producing it, and how they intend (hope?) to do so forever.
Scotland is a country of extremes, and the book makes you want to understand why, more deeply, more personally, and poetically.
My next travel map is now based upon this book!
Dave takes us through a remarkable journey from Orkney to the Hebridean isles, from parts of the mainland to the center of cities to (re)introduce us to the whisky. He also helps unravel the complexities of Clearances and its impact on the crofts and glens of the past. His writing and interviews connect you to people who are linking the product back to the place where it is produced, by the people producing it, and how they intend (hope?) to do so forever.
Scotland is a country of extremes, and the book makes you want to understand why, more deeply, more personally, and poetically.
My next travel map is now based upon this book!
November 22, 2025
This book was a gift for Christmas 2023. I thought I would read it in 2024 but it took a little longer! Not because it’s a tough read. I suppose I expected it to be more of a travel book. It is beautiful and it’s intriguing. But it’s a book about the making of whiskey. And as it turns out I really know nothing about whiskey. So I get lost as he describes processes and purposes.
Were I to start over, I would read some sort of introduction to whiskey distilling first, so that I could understand the terms more readily. Then I think this would be an excellent read - especially before making a trip to Scotland, especially if you plan to visit distilleries.
Were I to start over, I would read some sort of introduction to whiskey distilling first, so that I could understand the terms more readily. Then I think this would be an excellent read - especially before making a trip to Scotland, especially if you plan to visit distilleries.
November 1, 2024
A Sense of Place is a look into the heritage of Scotch whisky, and in many ways a look into the ways to make it traditionally local and Scottish again.
The book is a beautiful mix of words and stunning images which really capture the essence of the land which author Dave Broom loves to travel. The book is filled with passion, in each page you not only feel the passion of the author but also those being interviewed. A true sense of dedication and adoring affection for Scotch Whisky jumps out on every page and its impossible not to be drawn in.
The book is a beautiful mix of words and stunning images which really capture the essence of the land which author Dave Broom loves to travel. The book is filled with passion, in each page you not only feel the passion of the author but also those being interviewed. A true sense of dedication and adoring affection for Scotch Whisky jumps out on every page and its impossible not to be drawn in.
September 18, 2023
A delightful tour made all the more stunning by the sensational photography. I stretched this out over most of a year because I wanted to enjoy each section with a dram or two from the region - including a SMWS blend for the Blends & Perfume passage and a GlenAllachie Scottish oak finish for the Scottish Oak sections. Not the cheapest way to finish a book, but a very enjoyable one.
May 16, 2024
Enjoyable trip through Scotland while learning about Scotch whisky, how it's made, and the impact of locally scored ingredients. All the small distilleries had a great sense of pride in what they were doing. Of particular interest to me was the Isle of Islay (ai - luh) where very mild peat is found due to the high amounts of heather in the peat versus woody products. I like the Laphroaig whisky.
June 24, 2023
An interesting read for anyone interested in what makes the different Scotchs unique. Broom conveys a since of place and people that build the unique ingredients that create the mysterious drink we call whisky. No snooty tasting notes discussion here. Just a straight forward tell of the history and people that make the nectar of the gods.
March 26, 2024
An Evocative Journey into Scotch
A delightful book which now has me wanting to visit the places he went. The connection between land, climate, farmer, barrel maker, distiller and bottle maker is beautifully described here. Highly recommended!
A delightful book which now has me wanting to visit the places he went. The connection between land, climate, farmer, barrel maker, distiller and bottle maker is beautifully described here. Highly recommended!
September 21, 2023
Beautiful composed book! Amazing pictures of the rugged and diverse landscape of Scotland, guided with playful descriptive words. It makes you want to go to Scotland and never leave.
October 31, 2023
Wonderful book. A discussion about Scotch Whisky and Scotland which I really enjoyed.
December 26, 2023
A beautiful, delightful, useful book.
April 26, 2023
Really enjoyable. Fascinating mix of geography, natural history and whisky.
Well written and beautiful photography.
Well written and beautiful photography.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews