Book Review:

This won't take long... There may be hundreds of books about Scotch but at this moment in time, there are just three books in print on Irish Whiskey.

Classic Irish Whiskey by Jim Murray

Last published in 1997 this book in the classic drinks series has itself become something of a classic. Murray deserves no end of credit of taking Irish whiskey seriously and putting it on the World stage.

Informed, opinionated and entertaining this is a must have book. I cannot reccomment it highly enough and I cannot wait for the next edition.

Irish Whiskey - A Thousand Year Tradition

by Malachy Magee

First published in 1980 and reprinted in 1998 without even being updated, this book is so out of date it doesn not even refer to Cooley distillery.

There are good bits, Magee is quite good at the factual history stuff, but when it comes to personal opinions: Any writer who refers to Irish Distillers as "a benine monopoly" does not deserve to be taken seriously. Nor does this book.

A clear case of the publishers wanting to cash in on the trend in all things Irish, without wanting to do any work. Avoid.

The Lost Distilleries of Ireland

by Brian Townsend

This magnificant book recalls the glory days of Irish Whiskey, when it seems every county in the land had a thriving distillery... Townsend remembers with affection long lost whiskies like Old Comber, Allman's and Roe's. He tells their stories with passion, enthusiasm and conviction.

A must for any one seriously interested in Irish whiskey. Now in paperback.

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