Synopses & Reviews
In the populist tradition of Andrea Immer, New York Cityand#8217;s first female whiskey sommelier translates todayand#8217;s hottest spirit for a new generation of imbibers and#160;
Whiskey is in the midst of a huge renaissance. Ten years ago, the United States housed sixty-nine craft distillers; today, there are more than four hundred. Exports of Scotch whisky grew 12 percent just last year. Sales are skyrocketing, and specialty bars are popping up around the country, from New York City to Chicago to Houston.
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Yet whiskey drinkersand#151;especially novicesand#151;are more confused than ever. Over the past decade, whiskey expert Heather Greene has been bombarded with thousands of questions, including: Can I have ice in my whiskey? Why is it sometimes spelled "whisky"? What makes bourbon different? As New York Cityand#8217;s first female whiskey sommelier, Greene introduces audiences to the spiritand#8217;s charms and challenges the boys' club sensibilities that have made whiskey seem inaccessible, with surprising new research that shows the crucial importance of "nosing" whiskey. Through lively tastings, speaking engagements, and classes such as the popular "Whiskey as an Aphrodisiac," Greene has been demystifying whiskey the way Andrea Immer did wine a decade ago.
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In this lively and authoritative guide, Greene uses bright visuals, an easy-to-read format, and the familiar vocabulary of wine to teach readers about whiskey and encourage them to make their own evaluations. Peppered with wry anecdotes drawn from her unusual lifeand#151;and including recipes for delicious cocktails by some of todayand#8217;s most celebrated mixologistsand#151;Whiskey Distilled will be enthusiastically greeted by the whiskey curious as well as by journeymen whiskey drinkers thirsty to learn more about their beloved tipple.
Review
and#8220;A helpful compass for those setting off on a first whiskey exploration.and#8221;
and#8212;The Wall Street Journal
and#8220;With every passing day, the peril of sounding like an idiot when talking aboutand#8212;or even referring toand#8212;whiskey grows. Donand#8217;t let it happen to you. You should know this stuff. With Whiskey Distilled, Heather Greene makes it easy for you. She makes it deeply enjoyable. And her comprehensive, essential guide to what you need to know about whiskey will make you want to start drinking whiskey immediately.and#8221;
and#8212;Anthony Bourdain
and#8220;Heather Greene surveys the ever-changing whiskey landscape, and all the nitty-gritty details, effortlessly in chapters that read like a night out with a friend at a bar. Her humble, practical approach makes this a must read for those whoand#8217;d like a spirited guide along the whiskey trail. and#8221;
and#8212;Jim Meehan, author of The PDT Cocktail Book
and#8220;Heather Greene distills whiskey down to its basic elements without losing any of the complexity of the spirit. Tasting notes: notes of strong experience, spicy storytelling, and bold wit.and#8221;
and#8212;and#201;ric Ripert, chef/co-owner, Le Bernardin
and#8220;If ignorance is bliss, then I must sincerely resent Heather Greeneand#8217;s excellent volume for decidedly diminishing my ignorance on the subject of whisk(e)y. Sland#225;inte!and#8221;
and#8212;Nick Offerman, author of Paddle Your Own Canoe
About the Author
Heather Greene is the director of the Whiskey School at the Flatiron Room in Manhattan, which offers courses on tasting and history that sell out every time. She lives in New York City.