The World Atlas of Whisky: More Than 350 Expressions Tasted - More Than 150 Distilleries Explored
Broom, a leading writer in the field, believes that “we are living in the most exciting period in whisky’s long evolution,” and readers who regularly patrols the aisles of a quality liquor store will be inclined to agree. After perusing this book, however, they’ll be boggled at how much they have yet to sip and sample. But this is no mere mapping of distilleries. Yes, there are country maps, with significant regions and distilleries indicated, but there are maps of flavors, too—the first indication of Broom’s creative approach. Writing succinctly and sometimes scenically, he profiles distilleries and shares his tasting notes, then offers suggestions of what to taste next. In teaching how to taste, he proffers sensible “flavor camps” that avoid the kind of over-adjectival rhapsodizing that makes so many people leery of drinks writing in the first place. The whole approach is sensible, informed, encouraging—and beautifully illustrated, too, for those who may prefer pictures to prose while browsing. Though it is a world atlas, 169 pages are devoted to Scotland, leaving 12 for Ireland, 18 for Japan, 37 for the U.S., 10 for Canada, and 29 for the rest of the world. Whiskey drinkers with no interest in Scotch are forewarned, although perhaps this book can cure them. --Keir Graff