AMERICAN WHISKEY MASTER CLASS: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Bourbon, Rye, and Other American Whiskeys, beautiful and fascinating

AMERICAN WHISKEY MASTER CLASS: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Bourbon, Rye, and Other American Whiskeys
LEW BRYSON
Harvard Common Press (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$40.00 all editions, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: In American Whiskey Master Class, expert and industry insider Lew Bryson expands his deep dive into the history, process, and must-know producers of American whiskey in all its forms in this handsome, deluxe edition.

Go beyond the glass and discover the secrets behind your favorite styles of American whiskey in this updated, expanded, deluxe edition featuring a faux-leather cover.

Over the past three decades, Lew Bryson has been one of the most influential voices in whiskey—a longtime editor of Whisky Advocate and author of the critically acclaimed guides Tasting Whiskey and Whiskey Master Class. In this expanded edition of American Whiskey Master Class, Lew focuses solely on American whiskeys, sharing everything he’s learned on his journey through the world of American bourbon, rye, and other whiskeys. This approachable book is like a “200-level” class taught by a favorite teacher, with compelling tales (like how barrel aging came to be), insider tips (such as an old taster’s trick for sampling whiskey), and explanations you never thought you needed (like why you can never get a beverage that’s 100% alcohol—and why you should stick to whiskey!).

In this handsome edition, you’ll find it all:

An overview of the different types of whiskeys, including the rules and identities of each. He also includes information on craft whiskeys, which tend to be more creative and freewheeling than the styles made by traditional producers.

Exploration of the key whiskey ingredients, with a close look at the flavor contributions of malt, peat, corn, rye, wheat—even water.

Distillation for non-distillers and the beauty of barrels: Whiskey is both an art and a science, and what’s in the glass is affected by things like pot stills vs. column stills, barrel char, and of course, time.

Numerous interviews with master distillers, still makers, and other artisans at the top of their field.

Tasting notes throughout, including more than two dozen new ones, so you can identify the whiskeys you might want to try next.

New and expanded material, including how to decode and decipher rare bottles, new developments in the American whiskey market (notably single malts), new profiles and interviews of “must-know” producers, new photos, and more.

A new introduction from Fred Minnick, author of Bourbon Curious

Every chapter contains a variety of unique, often behind-the-scenes photography, coupled with Bryson’s master storytelling. And with whiskey as the subject, this is a class where you’ll want to do the homework.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Whiskey's my favorite tipple, though I'm medicine-induced teetotal at this point. I do love the smell as much as I love coffee's smell, for the same esthetic reason: The way it tastes is the way it smells, only adding a refined layer of bitterness, smokiness, complexity, that really fires up my palate. For me, then, this was a lovely walk down memory lane. For those not taking life-saving medications that preclude drinking alcohol, this is an *amazing* guide to developing and educating one's palate.

the roadmap to Whiskey Heaven, aha Table of Contents

Illustrations are well-integrated into the design, not looking like blobs of color stuck down on the pages. That shows especially in the infographics:

never thought much about HOW it gets done before

Naturally there are sections on the who/what axis of blindness we as aficionados can turn onto our belovèd objects of obsession:

who, then what

I can go on and on about how gift books of non-fiction are the most delightful reviews to write. I get to learn about stuff I really know so little about it's embarrassing, like the distinction between, nay existence of, the dichotomy between Traditional and New whiskeys:

beautiful presentations of the deliciousness

...and then, of course, we need to learn about the best of the best in the world-class expert writing this book's highly educated opinion:

interesting names, no?

I loved the lushness and polish of the presentation of the book, and was very interested by learning how much growth and activity there is in this beverage sector. I know y'all have whiskey fanciers in the family, and a luxury item like this that blends information he might not have with enjoyment you might not share is a lovely way to show interest in this subject.

Plus it looks *smashing* on your coffee table.

CELEBRATION COCKTAILS: Outstanding Batch Cocktails and Individual Drinks for Holidays, Parties, Birthdays, Weddings, and Other Festive Occasions

CELEBRATION COCKTAILS: Outstanding Batch Cocktails and Individual Drinks for Holidays, Parties, Birthdays, Weddings, and Other Festive Occasions
RHIANNON LEE
Harvard Common Press (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$19.99 all editions, available now

Rating: 4* of five

The Publisher Says: Make any size gathering truly festive and magical with a delectable themed cocktail that pairs perfectly with the occasion.

Let's face it: If the occasion is special, the drink should be special too. Why trot out your weeknight gin and tonic or scotch and soda when something extraordinary is called for? Whether you're serving a get-together with three people to celebrate a job promotion or a grand holiday party for three hundred people, cocktail expert Rhiannon Lee, author of three masterful books on mixology, serves up the recipe ideas you need in this colorful, photo-rich, and inventive book. She provides recipes both for pitcher and punchbowl batch cocktails perfect for a big crowd and for single-glass drinks a host can make to suit guests' individual tastes.

With short ingredient lists—so you can spend less time shopping and more time celebrating!—the recipes include:

Lots of themed drinks for Fall festivities, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Easter

For sharing with your sweetheart on Valentine's Day, a romantic vodka martini with a splash of cranberry and a touch of rose water

A delicate and exotic Lunar Martini, a blend of lychee juice, vodka, and a hint of lime, for celebrating the Chinese New Year

The Blushing Bride, a pink-hued bubbly pomegranate-flavored drink ideal for bridal showers and wedding parties

Cocktails for holidays all around the globe, including the Hindu holidays Diwali and Holi and Hanami, the Japanese cherry blossom holiday

Touchdown Tea, a strong and refreshing iced tea cocktail with bourbon and lemon for tailgating and any other sporting occasion

From the Spring Equinox to the Winter Solstice to all the weddings, birthdays, retirements, and holidays that lie in your future, you will find a lifetime's worth of perfect drink ideas in this fun and delicious book.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Party season is coming! Do you need to stock up your bar? Of course you do!

contents, aka shopping list

The thing about a book like this is it can hide your ineptitude with or ignorance of alcohol as a party-starter by being a beautiful thing to look at. One friend of mine would put a book like this open on the bar, and say, "come pick a drink!" Since he knew he could look up how to make it, gracefully, and already had everything needed for it in the bar (having read the book and made the list), it was training and fun combined. I liked those parties.

the why and the how

So as a (self-)gift, as a thing to have around, or just something to thumb through and wonder "who thought of that?":

seriously?

...there's a reason for this one to join your celebration and libation of the season.

winter

spring

summer

fall

Rejoin cocktail culture! Time to swig your way to happiness! (In moderation, of course, these're some very fattening tipples.)