Dave Broom: The World Atlas of Whisky

So much of what has been written about Canadian whisky, even by the most famous whisky writers, is either outdated, misinformed, or has been dashed together as an afterthought. Dave Broom knew this when he was writing his latest book, The World Atlas of Whisky, so he started by asking questions. What we began together as a Canadian whisky myth-busting exercise, to feed his pen, ended with me writing all but a few lines of the chapter on Canadian Whisky. Dave could have written this chapter himself, but generous fellow that he is, chose, when he saw my enthusiasm, to turn me loose on it. I shall remain forever grateful.Given time constraints, the experience was both exhilarating and daunting. The facts were all carefully checked, distillers offered great support, and somehow we managed to pull the Canada section together in just a few weeks. Because a) Dave is my friend, and b) I contributed the chapter on Canada, I will not offer a review. But to my knowledge, this is the first time a major whisky compendium has included a chapter about Canadian whisky written by someone who was weaned on Canadian whisky. So though the chapter is on the short side, there’s a lot of material here you just won’t get in a couple of weeks of research and analytical tasting. Thank you Mr. Broom, for giving us a chance to tell our story ourselves.Perhaps no recent whisky misadventure has brought more international attention to Canadian whisky, and thus to this chapter, than the recent bullying of Glen Breton by the Scottish language police. So let's pour a dram to their victorious Battle of the Glen, and savouring it, read how the book's liner notes describe The World Atlas of Whisky:The World Atlas of Whisky is the only guide the connoisseur and newcomer will ever need to understand everything there is to know about the world of whisky. This is a beautifully illustrated, in-depth, and comprehensive journey through the history, process, distilleries, and expressions of world whiskies, featuring 24 detailed full-colour maps. Heritage, romance, flavour, and craftsmanship are all celebrated in this complete study of this most versatile of drinks.In-depth descriptions of all the Scottish distilleries can be found here, while Ireland, Japan, the USA, Canada, and the rest of the world are given equally extensive coverage. The World Atlas of Whisky maps the key whisky-producing countries and regions, and samples single malts from Aberfeldy to Yamazaki, great blends from Johnnie Walker to Hibiki, and the best of the bourbons and ryes from Buffalo Trace to Wild Turkey. It also offers tasting notes on over 350 selected expressions.Award-winning whisky expert Dave Broom helps you understand the world of whisky through flavour, introducing five “Flavour Camps” to provide the perfect one-stop guide for selecting the right one for your palate and your preference. Experience the entire range, from “fragrant” showing delicate and perfumed aromas of cut flowers and grass, to “malty” with its crisp, biscuit-like aromas. “Fruity and spicy” whiskies are infused with aromas of vanilla, butter, pine, coconut, and sweet spices, “rich and round” styles boast Christmas cake, cloves, walnuts, and figs while smoke is the dominant aroma of “peaty” expressions. Canadian whiskies and bourbons from Kentucky and Tennessee reflect their different ingredient base, with Flavour Camps of soft corn, sweet wheat, spicy rye, and richly oaked.The appreciation of whisky offers a world of variety, subtlety, and enjoyment. So, experiment with a new taste or relax with an old favourite and prepare to immerse yourself in this stylish, beautiful collection. Whether you savour the experience or are looking for that perfect first taste, this is the ideal companion to have by your side as you pour your next glass.