The Story of Whisky

Charles MacLean, Gavin D. Smith, Sir Alexander McCall Smith

$89.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Pavilion
25 November 2025

Cookery, food & drink; Alcoholic beverages; Spirits & cocktails; Travel & holiday guides; Restaurant, cafe & pub guides

‘For the reader who knows little about whisky, this is a book that will easily and enjoyably fill that gap.’ – Sir Alexander McCall Smith

Beginning with the origins of distilling in 1200BC by alchemists in China and India, journey 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.

Through over 100 stories, legends and anecdotes, discover the origins of the quaich, whisky glass and corkscrew: and look inside iconic distilleries from around the world with stunning photographs and historic images.

Award-winning writers Charles MacLean and Gavin D. Smith offer a rollocking narrative; describing the adventures of the legendary characters who shaped the whisky industry. With flavour influenced as much by history, craft and tradition as it is by science, in The Story of Whisky, find out why your drink tastes the way it does, where whisky flavours come from and how they are changing to embrace the future..

By: Charles MacLean, Gavin D. Smith
Foreword by: Sir Alexander McCall Smith
Imprint: Pavilion
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 282mm, Width: 222mm, Spine: 23mm
Weight: 1.640kg
ISBN: 9780008735869
ISBN 10: 0008735867
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 25 November 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Charles MacLean is the author of 17 books about Scotch whisky, including the standard work on whisky brands, Scotch Whisky, and Malt Whisky, both of which were shortlisted for Glenfiddich Awards. His Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History won Wine & Spirits Book of the Year at the 2004 James Beard Awards and Best Drink Book in the World at the Food Media Awards. The Sunday Times calls him ‘whisky’s finest guru’. Gavin D. Smith is the author and co-author of some 30 books on whisky and contributing editor, Scotland, for Whisky Magazine. He writes for many other publications including Whisky Advocate, Whiskeria, Whisky Quarterly and The Cask.