“Outstanding … among the most important books about whisky ever written.” Charles MacLean BRINGING TOGETHER LANDSCAPES, geology, history, people and their whisky, and addressing the key role of peatlands in mitigating climate change, Peat and Whisky: The Unbreakable Bond is a love letter to Scotland and the unique substance that forms part of the DNA of Scotch whisky. Through epic journeys around Scotland and back in time, Mike Billett dives deep into the science and stories of ancient peatlands and bogs, capturing the spirit of places where whisky has been distilled for centuries. He sheds light on how peat imparts its distinctive aroma and flavour to the world’s finest single malts. He looks back to tradition and heritage, as well as forward to a future in which the dark matter will remain part of the recipe for liquid gold, while at the same time becoming an increasingly precious living sponge for atmospheric carbon. He takes us to places where the bond between peat and whisky is growing around the world. Whether you’re a whisky connoisseur, a lover of Scotland’s environment and beautiful landscapes, an armchair traveller or a history buff, this unforgettable book will deepen your appreciation for the land itself and help you to understand the profound connection between peat and the unmistakable character of uisge beatha, the water of life.

Those who discover malt whisky quickly learn that the malts made on the Isle of Islay are some of the wildest and most characterful in the malt-whisky spectrum. In PEAT SMOKE AND SPIRIT, Islay's fascinating story is uncovered: from its history and stories of the many shipwrecks which litter its shores, to intimate descriptions of the beautiful wildlife, landscape and topography of the island. Interwoven through these different narrative strands comes the story of the whiskies themselves, traced from a distant past of bothies and illegal stills to present-day legality and prosperity. The flavour of each spirit is analysed and the differences between them teased out, as are the stories of the notable men and women who have played such a integral part in their creation. PEAT SMOKE AND SPIRIT is the last word on Islay and its whiskies.

Sir Ernest Shackleton could never have imagined his name being closely associated with whisky, certainly not in the title of a book. Rarely did he consume strong drink. On his expeditions, he tolerated a ‘mild spree’ at times of celebration. But that was all. Drinking to excess appalled him. From an early age, growing up in a teetotal home, he was wary of alcohol. How, then, must he have felt about signing an order for twenty-five cases of whisky — 300 bottles — for his 1907–09 British Antarctic Expedition? Shackleton’s Whisky follows the story of the Rare Old Highland Whisky taken south on his Nimrod expedition. It celebrates the extraordinary achievements of men exploring an extraordinary place. It dips into the human-interest stories of polar life in the ‘heroic era’ of Antarctic exploration. Shackleton once wrote of his interest in documenting ‘the little incidents that go to make up the sum of the day’s work, the humour and the weariness, the inside view of men on an expedition’. Here is one such account, based largely on what he wrote and said about the expedition and also on what the members of his expedition wrote, for most participants kept a diary or journal. Antarctic exploration and whisky, in their own way, are both steeped in history, maturity, endurance, character, and technology. Both have a worldwide following, millions of fans. Their pathways coincided on the British Antarctic Expedition 1907-09. With the recovery 100 years later of three cases of Scotch from icy entombment under the hut at Cape Royds and the subsequent return of three bottles to Scotland for sampling, analysis and a near-magical replication, the relationship of whisky and Antarctic exploration came sharply into focus, making a unique odyssey to the end of the Earth and back.

Since the publication of the first edition in 2014, the whisky industry has continued to change. This book provides the reader with an overview of the latest academic research and industry best practice in an accessible and authoritative format. Despite the recession, new distillation capacity has been added at a record pace and new consumers in new markets have entered the arena. Distillers are experimenting with new finishes, packaging and marketing techniques and amongst consumers there is a hunger for knowledge and informed commentary. An entirely new chapter discussing the management and utilization of co-products and recent developments in areas such as anaerobic digestion is included along with revisions and updates to most chapters. Written by acknowledged and experienced authorities of the subject, this book provide an up to date treatment of this fast developing area. Aimed at the popular market, it provides a leading text for students of distilling, industry practitioners, new craft distillers and whisky enthusiasts. Review of the 1st Edition ‘The authors have clearly put much effort into this book... I enjoyed the book almost as much as I enjoy whisky. Fascinating stuff from cover to cover.’ Ian W. Davies, Chromatographia, 2014, 77, 1733-1734 ‘Sometimes, you come across a book that’s so comprehensive that it’s worth shouting about....a fascinating book that can be engaged with on numerous levels, even if you aren’t a student of distilling. Pop it on the shelf and consult it from time to time over the coming years. This might be the only whisky book you’ll ever need.’ http://malt-review.com/2014/08/01/book-review-the-science-and-commerce-of-whisky/

While Scotland gave birth to whisky, its progeny now populate all four corners of the globe - from the U.S. to Japan, South Africa to Scandinavia. Today whisky sales are booming, making the timing perfect for this massive, witty, gorgeously illustrated volume. An ideal whisky "bible" for either connoisseur or neophyte, THE WORLD ATLAS OF WHISKY covers the history, process, distilleries and expressions of the world great whiskies, complete with detailed maps and 150 labels.

"A singular story, and an inspiring journey with one of the original characters of the contemporary scotch whisky world. Find out how an ordinary man discovers his first dram of single malt, and unwittingly departs on a journey over time, ... and then online. Ralfy relates stories, tales and anecdotes full of real characters, real events, real places, and real whisky."--Page 4 of cover.

This book describes the geology of Scotland and Northern Ireland in relation to the important malt whisky producing districts