Whisky is the world’s favourite spirit – from its spiritual and ancestral home in Scotland it has spread across the globe. These days the amber magic can be found everywhere from Kirkcaldy to Kyoto, Kilkenny to Kentucky. This week’s book list by Karma Luminary Ultimate Library delves into all things whisky – taking in history, philosophy and some hair-raising anecdotes along the way…
1. World Of Whisky: Taste, Try And Enjoy Whiskies From Around The World
Whisky is the world’s favourite spirit and is enjoying booming sales, yet too often it’s shrouded in mystery, myth and complex-sounding terminology. This authoritative book gives simple advice on how to seek out and enjoy the immense diversity of flavours and styles on offer, and how to become more adventurous.
2. A Long Stride: The Story of the World’s No. 1 Scotch Whisky
The history of Johnnie Walker, beginning in 1820, is also the history of Scotch whisky. But who was John Walker–the man who started the story? And how did his business grow from the shelves of a small grocery shop in Kilmarnock to become the world’s number one Scotch?
3. Whisky Galore
It’s 1943 and the war has brought rationing to the Hebridean islands of Great and Little Todday. When food is in short supply, it is bad enough, but when the whisky runs out, it looks like the end of the world.
4. The Philosophy of Whisky
From illicit distillation to worldwide export, whisky has a powerful and multi-faceted history. Writers including Robert Burns, James Joyce and Haruki Murakami have all mused on it, and there are strong opinions on every aspect, even down to how the word itself should be spelled.
5. Everything You Need to Know About Whisky: (But are too afraid to ask)
Whisky experts Nick Morgan and The Whisky Exchange open the lid on the whisky industry, revealing what makes one of the world’s simplest spirits just so popular. Everything You Need to Know About Whisky will answer all of your burning questions; from what makes the perfect scotch and how to drink it like a pro to an exploration of distilleries around the world and their fascinating (often scandalous) histories.
