Reading Material

Nothing compliments a glass of fine whisky as much as a good book (well, unless it's good company). As with just about anything, books and other literature can enhance your appreciation of whisky and tasting.  We recommend the following books or magazines for beginning taster or for the expert connoisseur.  We know that a person's taste in books can be as eclectic as their taste in single malts, so we'll try to keep adding to our recommendations over time.

(The MMWTS cannot be held responsible for sticky chapters, spilled whisky, or ring stained pages.)

Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch
Revised frequently, this is an excellent guide to single malts. It contains a timeless guide to malts and tastings as well as an informative "What's New" section. Information about origins and history, regional variations, the effects of various woods and more make it a perfect companion for a beginning taster.  An A-Z guide to single malts, in addition to a well-designed index and bibliography will make even the most experienced taster happy as well.  Highly recommended!

Malt Whisky by Charles MacLean
Although not as thorough as Jackson's, this book is a great way to dip your feet into the world of whisky tasting.  MacLean includes 42 page directory of malt whisky distilleries to help readers and tasters identify and compare various producers. The book also includes beautiful photos and maps of the various regions. With a nice section about the basics of nosing and tasting to inspire you, and just enough content about the history, regions and creation process of malt whisky to inform without overwhelming, this book is an excellent gift for a curious beginner.