Classic Spirits of the World: A Comprehensive Guide

Raise your glass to Classic Spirits of the World, the first comprehensive, fully-illustrated, independent guide to the eminently drinkable products of the ancient art of distillation. As connoisseurship of wines from around the world has spread in recent decades, so, too has interest in and production of world-class spirits. Covered in this volume are whiskeys from fourteen countries, brandies from Armagnac to Armenia, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, aquavit, schnapps, bitters, and liqueurs from every corner of the globe. This is the only handbook combining generic information about each type of spirit with a country-by-country survey of hundreds of brands, from the best-sellers to the finest handcrafted spirits. The thorough text includes everything from anecdotal histories of the producers to tasting notes, and is supported by photographs ranging from bottle labels to the raw materials used in distillation and the final product.
Classic Spirits begins with a general history of distillation, including both methods and materials used. Each chapter discusses a specific spirit, beginning with its history and production methods, then cataloging major brands by country of origin. Novice and expert alike will appreciate the extensive glossary, index of brand names, and general index. The brandies of France, tequilas of Mexico, and bourbons of the U.S. are all written about and photographed with the same intelligent flair, and the levels of information (from ingredients and manufacture to history and taste) are distilled to create an intoxicatingly informative blend.