Gavin D. Smith

‘For the reader who knows little about whisky, this is a book that will easily and enjoyably fill that gap.’ Sir Alexander McCall Smith This stylish, comprehensive guide takes the reader from the origins of distilling in 1200BC, through remarkable stories of the pioneers and inventors that have helped shape the story of whisky, to the issues surrounding whisky production today: from sustainability concerns to the use of heritage barley and corn and the problem of fake whiskys. Award-winning writers Charles MacLean and Gavin D. Smith offer a rollocking narrative; describing the adventures of legendary characters who shaped the whisky industry, from John Jameson in Dublin to ‘Nearest Green’ and Jack Daniels in Tennessee; they explore its cultural heritage and journey across the world: from Ernest Shackleton in the South Antarctic to today’s growth of single malt in the USA; and find out how only three basic ingredients – grain, yeast and water ­– combine to make a drink with so many different flavours. The loose chronological approach starts with the origins of distilling, mainly in China and India, and follows through whisky’s early origins as an illicit alcohol made in the hills of Scotland and Ireland, to the exciting small batch whiskies being produced today by craft distillers and master blenders all over the world. The Story of Whisky immerses the reader in over 100 stories, legends and anecdotes, illustrated with historical images and stunning photographs of landscapes and iconic distilleries: inside and out, and is designed to entertain as well as educate. Learn how whisky came to be the global success story of today and understand how to appreciate exactly what is in your glass. With flavour influenced as much by history, craft and tradition as it is by science, in The Story of Whisky, readers can find out why their drink tastes the way it does, where whisky flavours come from and how they are changing to embrace the future. The Story of Whisky is the essential guide for any aficionado.

Whisky is the world’s favourite spirit and is enjoying booming sales, yet too often it’s shrouded in mystery, myth and complex-sounding terminology. This authoritative book, written by three world experts, gives simple advice on how to seek out and enjoy the immense diversity of flavours and styles on offer, and how to become more adventurous. As with any subject, the more you know, the more you can appreciate and enjoy it. This book aims to equip you with enough knowledge to be able to find your way around the whisky sections of a specialist drinks retailer and to help you feel confident choosing whisky in a bar or restaurant. We aim to demystify whisky without taking away the magic. The history of whisky and production methods are clearly explained, and there is advice on how to nose, taste and savour, as well as a selection of classic whisky cocktails and advice on matching food and whisky. The book covers not just famous Highland malts, Irish pot still whiskeys and American bourbons, but also whiskies from Japan, Canada, Australia and India.

Pilsners, blonde ales, India pale ales, lagers, porters, stouts: the varieties and styles of beer are endless. But as diverse as the drink is, its appeal is universal – beer is the most-consumed alcoholic beverage in the world. From pubs and inns to restaurants, bars and microbreweries, beer has made itself a staple drink around the globe. Celebrating the heritage of the world’s favourite tipple, Gavin D. Smith traces beer from its earliest days to its contemporary consumption.After exploring the evolution of brewing technology, the book travels from Mexico to Milwaukee, Beijing, Bruges and beyond, demonstrating the dazzling variety of beer styles and brewing processes to be found around the world. Once brewed in monasteries to be consumed as ‘liquid bread’ on fast days, beer is now the drink of choice at festivals and celebrations worldwide. Containing a wealth of detail in its concise, wonderfully illustrated pages, Beer will appeal to connoisseurs and casual fans alike.

Many books have been written about The Lake Poets - those Romantic geniuses led by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who made their homes in the beautiful north-west corner of England known as The Lake District during the first half of the nineteenth century. Some of these volumes have concentrated on their writing, others on their lives, and yet more have focused on places within the Lake District with which they were associated. Gavin D. Smith's The Lake Poets provides an indispensible 'one-stop shop' for anyone with an interest in the subject, offering biography, selections of work and an exploration of properties with literary associations. Gavin has also chosen to widen the traditional membership of the school of 'Lake Poets' to include William's sister Dorothy Wordsworth, Samuel's son Hartley Coleridge, and Thomas de Quincey. Apart from presenting an overview of The Lake Poets and their work, one aim of this book is to provide an opportunity for readers to discover more about writers like Robert Southey and Hartley Coleridge, who have been neglected in recent years, and whose writing is frequently difficult to find in print.

**A pictorial history of brewing and selling beer from the south of England to the north of Scotland. **This book looks behind the scenes at some of the most famous breweries in the land, including Whitbread, Bass, Watney, McEwan and many others.