Reviews

Tasting Whiskey: An Insider's Guide to the Unique Pleasures of the World's Finest Spirits by Lew Bryson

vince_reads's review

informative lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

4.25

Bryson's knowledge of and reverence for the "red liquor" is infectious!

Don't start reading this book without a couple bottles of whiskey nearby or you will be disappointed. It will help you get through the sections where Bryson insists on telling you about his drinking buddies.

The book is a tad dated at this point. I mean, I wish I could still find a bottle of Evan Williams BiB for under $15! The thought of how much different things were just 10 years ago could drive a man to drinking $25 whiskeys—tragic. 

warrensampson's review

4.0

A very complete guide and especially helpful in understanding the process from growth of the grain to the tasty end. I expect to read it again to further cement my expanding knowledge.

ericthec's review

5.0

This is the best book on whisky I've found. Comprehensive, funny and informative. Highly recommended.

dlsmall's review

4.0

Solid all-around book. Decent history survey. Good review of the main styles. Also a good approach to the tasting process. You could do worse than this book…I would lean to Minnick on my readings thus far though…

t720psu's review

4.0

Great book to help increase your understanding of whiskey. Lew Bryson covers the whole process of making whiskey, including the differences between Scotch, Irish, American, Canadian and Japanese whiskey and why they taste different. I will say that the last couple of chapters lost my attention. Bryson says repeatedly that he is not a bartender and that shows in the chapter that discusses cocktails. I also was not very into the chapter on collecting whiskey. All in all I would say this book is a great resource to expand your whiskey knowledge.

srchief's review

5.0

This book is written by the long time whiskey aficionado Lew Bryson. Mr Bryson takes us through the history and enjoyment of whiskey from all over the world. This book may not be for everyone but if you really want to get a fundamental understanding of whiskey then this is a great place to start.

jsilber42's review

5.0

This is a book I can unequivocally recommend if you are at all interested in whiskey. Although the book does cover tasting technique, it's really more of a broad AND deep education on whiskey - what it is, how distillation and aging work, the differences between bourbon, rye, Irish whiskey, Scotch whisky, and Canadian whisky, flavor profiles, whiskey cocktails, how to acquire a taste for whiskey, and more. Bryson writes in a very friendly, personable style that is informative and easy-to-read, and he is the opposite of a whiskey snob. Highly recommended.

thepoptimist's review

4.0

Lew Bryson has an easy conversational style and touches on the aspects that make whisky from Scotland different than that from Ireland, Japan, Canada and the United States as well as what some of the craft distillers are getting up, tramping through the path laid out by the explosion of craft brewers. As managing editor for Whisky Advocate he’s afforded a rich perspective. I mean you could just drink whisky without a second thought to how it’s produced, the generations of effort and the many, minute factors that make each tipple unique - but it tastes that much better if you’re armed with a little bit of knowledge. Cheers!

patrick_'s review against another edition

5.0

Accessible and informative for beginners and experts. Some good visuals to make key concepts easier to grasp.

krisfj's review against another edition

5.0

Fantastic and eminently readable primer on all things whiskey. The pages flew by and I learned a ton, all of it as though it was being told to me by a friend at a bar and not an academic. Can't recommend enough to any whiskey lover.