The Curious Bartender's Whiskey Road Trip: A coast to coast tour of the most exciting whiskey distilleries in the US, from small-scale craft operations to the behemoths of bourbon

by Tristan Stephenson

Overview

Buckle up and join bestselling author and whiskey connoisseur Tristan Stephenson on an epic tour of more than 40 unique distilleries from Vermont to California.

"Rigorously researched and richly illustrated...Meticulous in detail and gleeful in its discoveries, this trip is a joyride for any whiskey lover." Publishers Weekly

This engaging volume visits legendary makers in the states that are the spiritual home of the industry—Kentucky and Tennessee—and introduces readers to newer craft-distillers in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and even Texas. In his signature style, which is both fiercely entertaining and meticulously researched, Tristan weaves together the full and fascinating story of American whiskey with all its regional nuances, from its history and production methods to the origins of iconic bottle designs. With evocative images that take you behind the scenes and recipes for cocktails to make and enjoy, this is a celebration of a true American classic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781788791595
Publisher:	Ryland Peters & Small
Publication date:	11/05/2019
Series:	The Curious Bartender
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	1,085,770
Product dimensions:	7.60(w) x 9.40(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Tristan Stephenson is renowned as one of the leading figures in the global bar community. In 2005 he set up the bar at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall and went on to co-found Fluid Movement in 2009, a breakthrough consultancy company for the drinks industry which lead to the opening of his award-winning London bars. He is the author of the bestselling The Curious Bartender: The Artistry & Alchemy of Creating the Perfect Cocktail: Volume I and The New Testament: Volume II; plus the following books in the Curious Bartender series: An Odyssey of Malt, Bourbon & Rye Whiskies; Gin Palace and Rum Revolution.

Editorial Reviews

10/07/2019

In creating this rigorously researched and richly illustrated look at 44 American distilleries, British bartender Stephenson drove from Virginia to California, with detours to New York and Vermont. Beginning with Richmond’s small-batch Reservoir Distillery and the tale of the first colonial attempt at whiskey-making’s abrupt end with the Indian Massacre of 1622, Stephenson leaves no oak barrel unexamined or historical milestone unearthed. At Kentucky’s Heaven Hill Distillers, he recounts the story of Reverend Elijah Craig and his namesake bourbon; at Jack Daniel’s in Tennessee, he takes a studious dive into the fermentation process, which takes place in 56 steel vats, each holding 40,000 liters. There are tasting notes for those who might enjoy, for example, Hillrock double-cask rye with its very fruity nose and hints of banana, toffee, and green tea. And Stephenson includes a variety of recipes for cocktail lovers, ranging from the cherry bounce once enjoyed by Martha Washington to a 1930s bourbon, grenadine, and grapefruit juice concoction called a blinker. Meticulous in detail and gleeful in its discoveries, this trip is a joyride for any whiskey lover. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

'an ambitious tour of 40 of the best whiskey distilleries in America' – Richmond.com

'The book is packed with detail covering the people, places and production of whiskey. . . .no matter how many behind-the-scenes distillery tours I take, I learn elucidating new information from every single one' – Forbes.com

'Each visit provides a launchpad for [Stephenson’s] erudite essays on whiskey history and culture.' – Selected by The Wall Street Journal as one of the year’s top tipples

“Each visit provides a launchpad for [Stephenson’s] erudite essays on whiskey history and culture." – Selected by The Wall Street Journal as one of the year’s top tipples

'[this] is an expressively written book that has plenty of space for poetry among all the historical and technical gems of information... definitely one to add to your Christmas present list.' – imbibe.com

'If you’re planning your own whiskey road trip, this guide can inspire ideas—but even if you just read it sitting on your couch, prepare to be transported' – Whiskyadvocate.com

'Rigorously researched and richly illustrated. . . . Meticulous in detail and gleeful in its discoveries, this trip is a joyride for any whiskey lover' – Publishers Weekly

'Entertaining and well-researched, the book also looks at the origins of iconic cocktails that are still enjoyed around the world' – The Chronicle (Newcastle)

From the Publisher