Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
Is this a Connoisseur's Guide?, 7 Nov 2003
While this is a charming book, it really doesn't merit the subtitle of "A Connoisseur's Guide".
The background material in Part One is pretty basic and, if one is a connoisseur, quite old hat with nothing new added.
Part Two does have an extensive list of whiskies and I did enjoy reading it. However, the comments are genrally brief and not to the level that might give a connoisseur new information.
So, while this is a nice book, the implication that it is an advanced work takes away the positives. It is really more of a beginner's overview; one title among a number that have been published. Important to applaud is that the author is female; a bit of an exception in a subject area dominated by males. Unfortunately, it is becoming dated in its facts. For example, Ardbeg on Islay is described as being closed; it closed in 1981 and reopened in 1997. Likely is that the author wishes that her publisher had asked for revisions rather than just reprinting the 1997 edition in 2003.
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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
informative and interesting, 23 April 1998
By A Customer
A must have for all scotch lovers. Whether you have just started to experience single malts or think you've had them all, this book will make you realize there are single malts you didn't know existed. After reading this book the real challenge will be trying to find them all. The descriptions are clear and concise. One of the by prducts of this book is the tasting. Five of us get together to taste two or three different single malts and we refer to the book for insight and I must say that the characteristics stated in the book have been right on the mark. The authors really did their research and it shows. If you like single malts you will love this book.
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6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
A Single-minded approach for Single Malt fans., 24 April 1998
By A Customer
The fact of the matter is that for every trend that comes and goes, a corresponding handbook soon appears. Scan the on-line book shelves and you will no doubt find "Sideburns, An Owner's Manual", "The Basics of Bellbottoms", and three hundred books on cigars, Smurfs and Tamagochis. Single Malt Scotch has also become trendy, but true aficionados just smile and sip their scotch, knowing full well that the suspender clad masses will soon move on to a new microbrew, over-priced tequila or Northern Patagonian Pinot Noir. Single Malt Scotch is not everybody's cup of tea. It can be harsh, brackish, burning and medicinal. And that's some of the good stuff. Finding the one that suits your taste, and your mood, is a difficult, albeit enjoyable, task. And that's where The Single Malt Whiskey Companion comes in so handy. An accurate and detailed tasting guide helps newcomers locate the beginner's bottle, and more seasoned fans to find a lesser known brand that's worth a try. So while the popularity of Single Malt Scotch itself may begin to decline, the relevance of well-written and informative companion books will endure.
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