Whiskies Galore

Book excerpt: A travelogue of one man’s whisky-tasting journey across Scotland’s beautiful islands, by the bestselling author of 101 Gins to Try Before You Die. Island whiskies have long held a fascination and a powerful emotional draw on whisky drinkers the world over. Their special combination of heritage, mystique, and remote location captures the imagination; their highly distinctive flavors are often imitated but seldom bettered. There have been few books on island whisky and none written in recent years. But Whiskies Galore is not your average whisky book. It is not simply a catalogue of distilleries, but a story of discovery and adventure. Join Ian Buxton on a personal journey across Scotland’s islands, where he learns to fish with high explosives, ends up hurling his dinner into the sea, and comes face to face with a basking shark. Combining an expert’s knowledge of whisky with a travel writer’s fondness for anecdote, and with a keen description of place, he provides a special treat for all who love the islands’ magical drams. “One of the great whisky writers.” —The Guardian (UK) Praise for Whiskies Galore “A great read: it mixes childhood recollections, laments about Hebridean weather, historical anecdotes and 101 astute, humorous observations.” —Brian Townsend, TheDundee Courier (UK) “Sardonic, unsentimental and often very funny . . . the most original drink book I’ve read in a long time . . . this book will make you love Scotch whisky all the more.” —Henry Jeffreys, award–winning author of Empire of Booze