There are a number of classic whisky books that have loved by readers for decades, or even centuries. We have compiled a short list of five of our favourites that proudly grace our bookcase.
Scotch Missed – The Lost Distilleries of Scotland
Brian Townsend
This classic from the early 1990s delves in to the rich history of the Scotch whisky industry and what remains of a host of distilleries that are no longer in existence and slipping further from our minds as time passes. It offers a look at a bygone era and the historic boom and bust nature of the industry. Townsend, a journalist by trade, tracked down some of the last people to work at some of the locations. The old buildings and workers all have a story to tell and these are interspersed with lovely old black and white photography.
The Scottish Whisky Distilleries
Misako Udo
Another classic, which is often referred to as ‘the blue book’ amongst those in the know. Udo’s encyclopedic book is one for the true whisky enthusiast and is packed with technical information to a degree that we have not seen to this date. Udo built a fascination for whisky when working for the Scottish Tourist Guides Association as a Japanese guide for tourists and industry professionals alike. The book covers all known distilleries up to its 2005 release date including those in operation, closed, mothballed or lost forever.
Each distillery entry details extensive information such as ownership history, technical specifications of equipment and production information such as distillation times and ABV cuts of each still. Not one to take on holiday and read by the pool but an essential reference guide, even though it is a touch out of date now.
Whisky
Aeneas MacDonald
Published in 1930, this lovely little book is widely regarded as the first about whisky to be written from the drinkers point of view. It helped to propel whisky beyond the realms of the drinking elite and is passionate, provocative and poetic. It showed that whisky is a discerning drink and his writings remain relevant today, 90 years later. He talks about how, when, where and why to drink whisky and why each is important, plus why it feels integral to the Scottish national psyche, identity and economy. It is smart, intelligent and fun reading and it is easy to forget that you are ready text from a bygone era.
The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom
Alfred Barnard
Barnard’s book is widely regarded as the most iconic book ever written about whisky. It holds legendary status amongst whisky fans and historians. Published over 130 years ago in 1887, the book details Barnard’s epic journey around every single whisky distillery in the UK that was operating at the time. Of course many are still producing but many have fallen in to history, so it presents a fascinating snapshot in to the whisky industry (especially that of Scotland) in the late Victorian era.
It is the original whisky travelogue with an almost diary-like quality. Barnard’s dry writing style presents stories of his travels (not just of the distilleries but events that happen when getting to them) and people that he met along the way, production facts and figures of each location and a series of lovely line drawings. What a classic.
Whisk(e)y
Stefan Gabányi
This German book was first translated and published in English in 1997, having appeared in its original language a year before. Whisk(e)y is a handbook style of book and one to dip in and out of when you need information. It covers the main whisky producing regions of the world, different types of whisky and production methods, distilleries, bottling, the compnaies and the brands. The book also has over 500 illustrations by Gunter Mattei, which add to the retro charm. This is quirky but highly informative.
