A clever distillation of America's favorite libation, by the New York Times best-selling authors of The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert Whiskey fever is sweeping the nation. Every day, craft distilleries are popping up in remote counties and urban centers, offering a wealth of great choices to consumers--and just as many puzzlements. Does the introduction of a simple "e" to go from whisky to whiskey mean anything? What's the difference between Scotch and Rye? What's Canadian whisky anyway? And what about the whiskeys of Scotland, Japan, and Ireland? Where's a humble Joe to start? In this witty kid-style book on an adult topic, Richard Betts boils down his know-how into twenty pages, cooling our "brown-sweat" anxieties and dividing whiskey into three simple categories: Grain, Wood, and Place. While most whiskey tomes are about as fun as a chemistry lesson, Betts makes the learning slide down easy, reassuring us that this exalted spirit is just distilled beer and, through a nasal romp, helping us figure out which kinds we love best. Humorous illustrations and scratch-and-sniff scents (vanilla, sandalwood, grass, and more) help would-be connoisseurs learn their personal preferences. Language label and Map to Your Desires included.

A Master Sommelier introduces the basics of wine through scratch-and-sniff stickers.

Foreword by Master Cicerone Rich Higgins Discover everything there is to know about beer with this sensational companion guide, packed with trivia, entertaining games, and fascinating anecdotes about the origins of well-known and rare beers—and ten unique "scratch and sniff" chapter openers devoted to each style of brew. To truly know a beer, it isn’t enough to taste it. You must breathe in its distinctive aroma—a specially balanced blend of natural ingredients that differentiate one style of beer from another. Divided by common beer types, each chapter of this one-of-a-kind beer guide opens with a scratch and sniff panel that introduces you to a specific blend and offers a tantalizing preview of its flavor. Beer expert Rich Higgins provides key information, background history, and activities—a wealth of insider knowledge that adds body, depth, and flavor to every page. There is even a section for designing your own signature beer labels. Whether you just want to discover more about favorite brews or are interested in becoming a home brew master, The Scratch & Sniff Guide to Beer is a delight for every beer fan.

From the New York Times best-selling author of The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert, everything you need to know about America's favorite recreational plant Who better to guide you through the distinctive scents of cannabis than Richard Betts, a Master Sommelier (one of fewer than 200 in the world) with an unrivaled nose and the author of three scratch-and-sniff books? In this novel book, Betts demystifies the differences between cannabis and hemp, indica and sativa, describes how each strain will make you feel, and more, aided by scents to truly allow readers understand the distinction between Train Wreck and Sour Diesel. With a short history lesson on where Mary Jane came from and how it became humanity's beloved pastime plus a guide to the most popular strains, this handbook is a fact-filled and fun guide to all things cannabis. And if you don't live in a state that has legalized marijuana, this book is the closest thing you'll have to toking up!

The southern hemisphere is fast becoming the hottest source of delicious, affordable wine--and this is the first book to focus entirely on this bourgeoning industry. Created by the renowned “World Wine Guys,” Wines of the Southern Hemisphere provides the latest information on the best wineries in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, and Uruguay. In addition, the guide features interviews with top winemakers and recipes to pair with their wines.

Whiskey has become one of the most popular spirits, and with so many different kinds, it's hard to keep track of them all. With reviews of 250 different whiskeys (more than the competition for a cheaper price), the historical background of each type and even some of the best recipes, this guide has everything a person needs to become a know-it-all of whiskey. Chad Berkey is the head bartender at Aero Club Bar in San Diego, which boasts one of the largest collections of whiskey of any bar in America, with over 900 different kinds of whiskey. Aero Club was named one of the places to visit in theNew York Times 36 Hours in San Diego. With Chad's help, you'll be able to make expert recommendations, catch subtle keynotes in different brands, buy the right bottle for each occasion and make the perfect cocktail for a guest. Packed with all the information you'll ever need on whiskey, this book is the perfect companion to any whiskey lover.