Scottish Whisky

Whisky could easily be described as the backbone of Scottish life: economically, socially and culturally. It is thought that the process of distillation first appeared in Scotland around the 4th or 5th centuries AD and probably arrived from Ireland. However, like many other indispensable inventions from Scotland it might as well have been dreamt up here. Whisky, Scotch or Uisge Beatha is widely regarded as the premier spirit in the world.

Water of Life

Uisge Beatha is the Gaelic term for 'water of life', which itself possibly stems from the Latin aqua vitae. Distilling began in monasteries, to produce medicine, now healing the soul more than any other wound.

Until the early nineteenth century the production of whisky was mainly a domestic activity based in the rural farming communities, especially the Highlands. The whisky production process helped to pay rents, use up surplus grain and providing cattle feed from spent grains.

Traditionally the season for whisky production ran from August to April, with the summer months' workload being dependent on demand. This off-peak time was known as the 'silent season'.

Robert Burns famously wrote that 'Whisky and freedom gang thegither', echoing the independent spirit of Scotland and the Scots.

In a social context whisky is to provide a warm welcome or a fond farewell to a friend or weary traveller; to usher in the birth of a new baby and mourn the passing of a loved one; and to treat ailments and close business dealings. In fact, there are countless excuses for having a dram.

Today whisky is one of the most important economic products in the UK. It is a top export product, racking up sales of over £2.2 billion and contributes around £1.8 billion to the trade balance for the food and drinks industry, making it the single most important sector in this industry.

Many have tried to imitate Scotch whisky with no success, including the Germans and the Japanese. The Welsh have recently produced their own whisky, which is good, and Ireland has a long tradition of whiskey production; but none of these is Scotch whisky.

With such a rich history and influential standing it's no wonder that there's a large amount of excellent writing on whisky, covering the tasting, making and effect of Scotland's national drink.

Whisky History

Scottish Whisky Labels

Scottish Whisky Labels

The history of whisky making is explained in Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History by Charles MacLean. MacLean is a world renowned expert on whisky and the founder of WhiskyMax.com, a site set up to encourage and get the most out of the whisky experience. He is also a member of the worldwide group of enthusiasts known as the Malt Maniacs.

John Hughes, a former marketeer with Famous Grouse has written two books about the business end of the trade. Scotland's Malt Whisky Distilleries is an illustrated account of the politics, taxation and social history associated with whisky production; and Still Going Strong: A History Of Whisky Advertising tells the tales of how some of the best known brands, like Johnnie Walker and Bells became world favourites.

The business of whisky is tied strongly to the branding and development of those brands. F. Paul Pacult's book A Double Scotch; How Chivas Regal And The Glenlivet Became Global Icons is as much a business book as a homage to two classic Scotches. Further explanation of the roles played by the characters behind Scotch whisky is found in The Whisky Barons by Allen Andrews and The Whisky Men by Gavin D. Smith.

The texts on the history of the drink and those involved in its production and promotion are complemented by the various 'guides' to the world of Scotch whisky. Gavin D. Smith's A to Z of Whisky provides definitions, sources and meanings of whisky related words. Charles MacLean offers his opinions for the enthusiastic amateur in his comprehensive Whiskypedia. Graham Nown also caters for the expert and beginner in Malt Whisky: A Comprehensive Guide For Both Novice And Connoisseur. Michael Jackson, the Beer Hunter, brings his expertise to bear on malt whisky the way he did with beer in Michael Jackson's Malt Whisky Companion.

Whisky Tour Guides

Pot Whisky Stills, Rosebank Distillery, 1979

Pot Whisky Stills, Rosebank Distillery, 1979

Originally self-published under the imprint 'Distillery Cat Books' by Japanese whisky enthusiast and expert Misako Udo is a popular title amongst aficionados, The Complete And Ultimate Guide To Scottish Whisky Distilleries For The Whisky Enthusiast.

In addition to these guides is a directory by Phillip Hills, The Scotch Whisky Directory, which analyses the flavours in Scotch and presents the findings here in a digestible format.

A map is of course a useful item, especially when all areas of Scotland are represented with a distillery worth a trip. Angels' Share Malt Whisky Map of Scotland by Neil Wilson and Jim McEwan provides a full colour map with tasting notes.

Norman S. Newton explores the whisky island of Islay and tells the story of the island from Viking visits to the production of the water of life. The story of this magical isle is also continued in Andrew Jefford's book Peat Smoke and Spirit: A Portrait of Islay and its Whiskies.

The original capital of whisky is described in The Distilleries of Campbeltown: The Rise and Fall of the Whisky Capital of the World by David Stirk, which describes an a small area that at one time was home to 29 different distilleries.

Whisky Tales

Illegal Whisky

Illegal Whisky

Whisky also provokes storytelling and stories surrounding it. Yet again Charles MacLean introduces us to some great tales celebrating the loosener of the tongue in Charles MacLean's Whisky Tales: Peaty Drams to Warm the Cockles of Your Heart. Edward Burns tells of the Victorian scandal of the adulteration of whisky in public houses throughout the country in Bad Whisky.

Compton Mackenzie's Whisky Galore could not possibly be left out of a list on whisky writing, but is tempered with the true tale of the fate of the SS Politician and the lucky islanders who salvaged the cargo in Polly: The True Story Behind Whisky Galore, by Roger Hutchinson. More information is also available in Scotch on the Rocks, the original true story by Arthur Swinson.

Writer, folklorist and performer Stuart McHardy tells us Tales of Whisky and Smuggling) that are both humorous and tragic; while poet Robin Laing has been inspired by The Whisky Muse.

Iain Banks, one of Scotland's most popular modern writers, takes us on his quest Raw Spirit: In Search of the Perfect Dram, where he visits some of the greatest distilleries in the world in search of the elusive nip. Neil Wilson also writes about the adventure of a group of sailing Scots as they attempted to visit all ten distilleries on Islay, Jura, Mull and Skye in The Island Whisky Trail.

For comic and bizarre writing on whisky try Gavin D. Smith's Whisky Wit and Wisdom: A Verbal Distillation, which offers a light hearted look at a very serious drink.

Although Scotch whisky is the focus of this list and a reason for living we must tip our hats to our Celtic cousins in Ireland and their tasty efforts in whiskey production. Scotch Missed by Brian Townsend, and The Malt Whisky File by John D. Lamond and Robin Tucek includes both Scotch and Irish malt whiskies, complete with tasting notes.

Happy reading, drinking, and Slainte Mhath!

  • Cover scan of Angels' Share Malt Whisky Map Of Scotland

    £7.99
    Angels' Share Malt Whisky Map Of Scotland - Map - Neil Wilson; Jim McEwan
    Compiled by top distiller, Jim McEwan of Bruichladdich, this full colour relief map highlights Scotland's whisky landscape with regional tasting notes, distillery profiles and an index of lost distilleries. On the rear of the map, contact details of Scotch whisky companies and distillery dates are listed.
  • Cover scan of A-Z of Whisky
    A-Z Of Whisky - Paperback - Gavin D. Smith
    Written by one of the world's leading whisky writers. A popular, 'cult' whisky book that is essential for knowledge on the subject.
  • Cover scan of Bad Whisky
    Bad Whisky: The Scandal That Created The World's Most Successful Spirit - Paperback - Edward Burns
    This is a unique insight into the Victorian scandal which raged at the end of the 19th century surrounding the adulteration of whisky in public houses throughout the UK.
  • Cover scan of Charles MacLean's Whisky Tales

    £12.99
    Charles MacLean's Whisky Tales: Peaty Drams To Warm The Cockles Of Your Heart - Hardback - Charles MacLean
    A lifetime's passion and knowledge of Scotch whisky is poured into an array of anecdotes about this popular drink and those who have loved it, from Robert Burns to Dave Allen. It features all sorts of 'nips' from ghost stories to poems and literary celebrations of Scotland's most generous gift to the world.
  • Cover scan of The Distilleries Of Campbeltown
    The Distilleries Of Campbeltown: The Rise And Fall Of The Whisky Capital Of The World - Hardback - David Stirk
    Campbeltown was once the whisky capital of the world with 29 distilleries operating simultaneously in 1835. How had this remote fishing port and royal burgh become the epicentre of Scotland's greatest export? David Stirk reveals all in this insight into the movers and shakers behind this huge industry.
  • Cover scan of A Double Scotch

    £16.99
    A Double Scotch: How Chivas Regal And The Glenlivet Became Global Icons - Hardback - F. Paul Pacult
    An inside look at two brands that have conquered the world: Chivas Regal and The Glenlivet, the latter being the best known and highest selling single malt whisky in the world.
  • Cover scan of The Island Whisky Trail
    The Island Whisky Trail: An Illustrated Guide To The Hebridean Distilleries - Paperback - Neil Wilson
    This guide for the whisky enthusiast covers the distilleries of the Hebrides and the west coast of Scotland. It includes photographs along with travel and local information on established distilleries, such as Bunnahabhain and Bowmore, and newer ones, such as Kilchoman on Islay.
  • Cover scan of Islay
    Islay - Paperback - Norman S. Newton
    The island of Islay lies off the coast of Argyll, and is famous for its whisky. This guide to the island contains advice and tips for visitors, including information on the history of the island, outdoor activities, and things to do and see.
  • Cover scan of MacLean's Malt Whisky Handbook
    Charles MacLean's Whiskypedia - Hardback - Charles MacLean
    'MacLean's Malt Whisky Handbook' explores the flavour and character of every malt whisky distilled in Scotland with reference how it is made. Introductory sections explain the contribution made by each stage of production and maturation, to elucidate the detailed notes about how malt whisky is made at each distillery.
  • Cover scan of Malt Whisky

    £16.99
    Malt Whisky - Paperback - Charles MacLean
    'Malt Whisky' is a complete and fascinating guide to this popular spirit. It explores the history of malt, how it is made, why each one tastes different and how to appreciate whisky. A comprehensive guide to the distilleries is also included.
  • Cover scan of The Malt Whisky File
    The Malt Whisky File: The Essential Guide For The Malt Whisky Connoisseur - Hardback - John Lamond; Robin Tucek
    This is the most comprehensive guide available to both the famous, and little known, distilleries of Scotland and Ireland and to their malt whiskies. Hundreds of detailed tasting notes are included in this expanded and revised edition.
  • Cover scan of Michael Jackson's Malt Whisky Companion
    Michael Jackson's Malt Whisky Companion - Hardback - Michael Jackson
    Do you know your Mortlach from your Miltonduff? A Glenfiddich from a Glenlugie? Find out the differences in Michael Jackson's guide to single malts. This guide includes over 800 malts.
  • Cover scan of Peat Smoke And Spirit
    Peat Smoke And Spirit: A Portrait Of Islay And Its Whiskies - Paperback - Andrew Jefford
    This is the story of Islay - from its history to the beautiful wildlife, landscape and topography of the island. Interleaved through these different narrative strands comes the story of the whiskies themselves, traced from a distant past of bothies and illegal stills to present day prosperity.
  • Cover scan of Polly
    Polly: The True Story Behind Whisky Galore - Paperback - Roger Hutchinson
    With the help of eyewitness accounts, historical papers and official documents, Hutchinson tells the remarkable story of the SS Politician, the ship which ran aground in the Sound of Eriskay in 1941 and inspired Compton MacKenzie's Whisky Galore.
  • Cover scan of Raw Spirit
    Raw Spirit: In Search Of The Perfect Dram - Paperback - Iain Banks
    In a bid to uncover the unique spirit of the single malt whisky, author Iain Banks has decided to undertake a tour of the distilleries of his homeland. His tour of Scotland combines history, literature and landscape in an entertaining and informative account.
  • Cover scan of Scotch Missed
    Scotch Missed: The Lost Distilleries Of Scotland - Paperback - Brian Townsend
    Townsend details the ruins of almost every Victorian working distillery in Scotland, from the remnants of once-great concerns such as Saucel Distillery in Paisley to a tumble of bricks and mortar in a remote location, like Glen Tarras at Langholm.
  • Cover scan of Scotch On The Rocks

    £7.99
    Scotch On The Rocks: The True Story Behind 'Whisky Galore' - Paperback - Arthur Swinson
    This is the true story about the 'Whisky Galore' boat, the SS Politician, which went down on 4th February 1941 with 240,000 bottles of whisky and £3m in Jamaican notes on board.
  • Cover scan of Scotch Whisky

    £16.99
    Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History - Paperback - Charles MacLean
    This is the story of a traditional spirit with an intriguing past. It explores and unfolds, decade by decade, the history, secrets and untold tales surrounding Scotch whisky.
  • Cover scan of The Scotch Whisky Directory

    £15.99
    The Scotch Whisky Directory - Hardback - Phillip Hills
    In this book, Phillip Hills has devised a simple way of presenting the flavour of a whisky by means of a simple graphic. He applies this to all of the more important Scotch whisky brands - blends and grain whiskies as well as malts - showing what flavours are to be found in each.
  • Cover scan of Scotland's Malt Whisky Distilleries
    Scotland's Malt Whisky Distilleries - Paperback - John Hughes
    In Scotland, between 1750 and the present day, over 700 distilleries have been legally registered to make single malt Scotch whisky. Many had very short lives. The story of every one of the 88 surviving distilleries is told in this book.
  • Cover scan of The Scottish Whisky Distilleries

    £20.00
    The Complete And Ultimate Guide To Scottish Whisky Distilleries: The Ultimate Companion For The Whisky Enthusiast - Hardback - Misako Udo
    This volume is a thorough and meticulous cataloguing of the whisky industry in Scotland. Each entry includes information on the distillery's history, the type of whisky produced, the blends contributed to and the full range of single malts, information on washes, casks, and more.
  • Cover scan of Still Going Strong
    Still Going Strong: A History Of Whisky Advertising - Paperback - John Hughes
    Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black & White, Bells, J&B, Talisker, Lagavulin - all world famous brands of whiskey. In this work, John Hughes discusses their origins and their history.
  • Cover scan of The Whisky Barons
    The Whisky Barons - Paperback - Allen Andrews
    The success of today's whisky industry is largely due to the commercial drive and foresight of a select group of whisky merchants who took the business by storm in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This is the story of how Dewar, Buchanan, Walker, Bell and Mackie established their brands.
  • Cover scan of The Whisky Distilleries Of The United Kingdom
    The Whisky Distilleries Of The United Kingdom - Hardback - Alfred Barnard
    In 1885, Alfred Barnard was secretary of 'Harper's Weekly Gazette', a journal that featured facets of the wine and spirit trade. In order to provide his readers with a history of the trade, he visited all the distilleries in Scotland, Ireland and England. This work covers Barnard's comments.
  • Cover scan of Whisky Galore
    Whisky Galore - Paperback - Compton Mackenzie
    It is 1943, and the war has brought rationing to the Hebridean Islands. It looks like the end of the world when the whisky is about to run out, and the locals are about to despair when a ship with a cargo of whisky is wrecked.
  • Cover scan of The Whisky Men

    £14.99
    The Whisky Men - Paperback - Gavin D. Smith
    Gavin D. Smith spent two years talking to people whose working lives have been spent in the Scotch whisky industry. He has recorded and edited the results of many conversations, which have taken place the length and breadth of Scotland, and in this book he allows the whisky-makers of Scotland to do the talking.
  • Cover scan of The Whisky Muse

    £9.99
    The Whisky Muse: Scotch Whisky In Poem And Song - Paperback
    Each poem and song in this anthology is accompanied by additional information, and the book is full of interesting tit-bits on the process of whisky making.
  • Cover scan of Whisky Wit & Wisdom
    Whisky Wit & Wisdom: A Verbal Distillation - Paperback - Gavin D. Smith
    Exploring the lighter side of whisky-making, whisky consumption, whisky over-consumption, whisky in literature, whisky and the law and even whisky and death, this book offers stories and anecdotes contributed by whisky industry personalities.

In This Article

Whisky Bottle

Whisky Bottle

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