Food & Drink

Book Review: The Atlas of Bourbon & American Whiskey

Products You May Like

In what’s turning into an more and more gluttonous market of bourbon and American whiskey-related books, the flexibility to face out and supply a brand new perspective grows ever more difficult. What number of occasions does one must examine mashbill recipes earlier than eager to hurl themselves right into a fermentation tank? What number of occasions does one want to have interaction within the argument about whether or not or not Jack Daniel’s is actually bourbon earlier than furiously hurling charcoal briquets within the path of the closest “properly, really” Web Contrarian Man?

In Eric Zandona’s newest e-book, The Atlas of Bourbon & American Whiskey, he takes a modest stab at avoiding these pitfalls, however inevitably falls prey to them. That is positive: In the long run, this form of info proves extremely helpful to newcomers, and Zandona’s writing is partaking and heat sufficient that even seasoned bourbon students received’t flip forward to get to the crux of the e-book.

He begins his journey, as properly he ought to, in Kentucky, and over the course of 200 pages makes his means across the nation’s different distilling hotspots. Tennessee, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York all obtain devoted chapters whereas different areas are aggregated in separate chapters in the direction of the tip. Tasting notes, advised purchases from prime distilleries, and recipes complement the principle narrative, and there are many pretty footage and infographics to function partaking detours.

If there are any gripes available, and they’re minor, it’s that the atlas doesn’t serve its full potential to be complete. The thriving community of Midwest micro-distilleries is definitely price a point out, if not a complete part, and there’s barely a point out of the ever-shifting demographic to the id of bourbon distillers and shoppers, with increasingly ladies and other people of shade taking main positions of accountability and turning into bigger stakeholders sooner or later instructions of American whiskey. However that is the place second editions show to be at their finest. Hopefully, the following iteration will contemplate their inclusion.

Small points apart, Zandona’s atlas serves as an excellent start line for exploration and discovery for newcomers into the wealthy and various world of American spirits. The eye to element in design and structure is efficient, the general presentation is trendy, and the atlas will look equally nearly as good on the espresso desk or behind the bar. And at $20, it’s exhausting to discover a rival at this worth level delivering info as successfully.

B+ / $20 / BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON

The Atlas of Bourbon & American Whiskey

$20

Ranking


8.5/10

Products You May Like