Japanese Whisky: The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Most Desirable Spirit PDF
Preview Japanese Whisky: The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Most Desirable Spirit
“Brian Ashcraft has done us drinkers a real service here. A guide to where Japanese whisky came from and who’s making it now, with careful advice on what bottles we might want to seek out, it is a reference I’ve been hoping for. And now, with Japanese Whisky in hand, I’m off to the liquor store.” —Adam Rogers, Deputy Editor Wired Magazine, author of Proof: The Science of Booze “A tour de force. Japanese Whisky: The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Most Desirable Spirit combines engrossing and well-researched history with trustworthy tasting notes, fascinating distillery guides and beautiful photography. It’s not only an excellent practical look at one of the world’s most exciting alcohol traditions but also a great read.” —Chris Bunting, author Drinking Japan and founder of Nonjatta.com “Japanese Whisky: The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Most Desirable Spirit gives deep insight into the spirit’s history and also throughly explains the specialties of the drink.” —Horst Luening, Whisky.com “This book’s love of the ‘water of life’ shines through on every page. From the exhaustive account of Japan’s long relationship with whisky to the detailed descriptions of labels produced by its world-beating distilleries, Japanese Whisky should appeal to experienced buyers and novices alike. The perfect accompaniment to a Japanese single malt.” —Justin McCurry, Tokyo correspondent for the Guardian Japanese whisky has been around for under a century but is now winning all the major international awards. How did this happen and what are the secrets of Japanese whisky makers? This book features previously unpublished archival images and interviews chronicling the forgotten stories of Japan’s pioneering whisky makers. It explains the special materials and methods used by Japanese distillers, including mizunara wood, Japanese barley and unique Japanese production methods. It also examines the close cultural connections between Japanese whisky drinkers and their favorite tipples. For the first time in English, over a hundred independently scored reviews are presented from leading Japanese whisky blogger Yuji Kawasaki, which shed new light on Japan’s most famous single malts as well as its grain whiskies and blends. JAPANESE WHISKY The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Most Desirable Spirit BRIAN ASHCRAFT WITH IDZUHIKO UEDA AND YUJI KAWASAKI FOREWORD BY LEW BRYSON ABOUT THIS BOOK To fully appreciate Japanese whisky, it’s necessary to put it in a larger context. For well over 1,500 years Japan has imported language, religion and culture, stamping its own distinct mark on all three. The country takes what it wants or needs and then artfully improves and localizes imports to suit local tastes. This is exactly what happened with whisky. But how? And why? The first part of this book examines how Japanese history, culture and religion have influenced Japanese whisky. The second part delves into the best Japanese whisky makers of today, showing why their stuff is unique and providing reviews and scores of various whiskies so that readers can get a good idea of what to expect from current and future releases. The last chapter introduces some of Japan’s newest distilleries and discusses future trends. Note that this is an independent work. None of the authors have ever worked or done consulting for any Japanese whisky maker and all of the whiskies reviewed and scored were paid for out of pocket. contents Foreword by Lew Bryson, author of Tasting Whiskey PART ONE JAPANESE WHISKY COMES OF AGE Japan’s Whisk(e)y History Begins The Local Drinks: Sake and Shochu Foreign Drinks Invade Japan The Scottish Connection The Revolutionary Sake-Inspired Malting Process How Japanese Whisky Swept the World The Karuizawa Distillery: A Japanese Legend How Japanese Whisky is Made About Japanese Barley and Peat Precious Made-in-Japan Casks Making Japanese Whisky Even More Japanese The Barrel Apprentice Japan’s Whisky Drinking Culture Crafting a Very Japanese Cocktail What Makes Japanese Whisky “Japanese”? PART TWO JAPAN’S LEADING DISTILLERIES AND WHISKIES Suntory Yamazaki Distillery The Hakushu Distillery and the Sun Grain Chita Distillery Tasting Notes for 29 Suntory Whiskies Eigashima Shuzo White Oak Whisky Distillery Tasting Notes for 12 Eigashima Shuzo Whiskies Nikka Yoichi Distillery The Miyagikyo Distillery Tasting Notes for 28 Nikka Whiskies Hombo Shuzo Mars Whisky Shinshu Distillery The Tsunuki Distillery
Description:The list of books you might like
