Whiskey Master Class: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Scotch, Bourbon, Rye, and More [Hardcover]

Go beyond the glass and discover the secrets behind your favorite style of whiskey.

Over the past three decades,Lew Bryson has been one of the most influential voices in whiskey—a longtime editor ofWhisky Advocateand author of the definitive guideTasting Whiskey. In this book, Lew shares everything he's learned on his journey through the worlds ofbourbon, Scotch, rye, Japanese whiskey, and more (yes, there are tasty Canadian and Irish whiskeys as well!). In this book, you'll find it all:

• An overview of the different types of whiskeys, including therules 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 ofmalt, peat, corn, rye, wheat—even water matters.
• Distillation for non-distillersand 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 withmaster distillers, still makers, and other artisans at the top of their field.
• Tasting notes throughoutso you can identify the whiskeys you might want to try next.

Every chapter contains a variety of unique, oftenbehind-the-scenes photography. And with whiskey as the subject, this is a class where you'll want to do the homework!

Lew Brysonhas been writing about beer and spirits full-time since 1995. He was the managing editor ofWhisky Advocatemagazine from 1996 through 2015. He is a columnist forCraft Spiritsmagazine, and produces “Seen Through A Glass,” a podcast about central Pennsylvania food and drink.He has served as a judge for the Aml³a