From the Editors

<P><b>New Updated & Expanded 2nd Edition. </b></p><P><P>Finally! A book for the novice... </p><P><P>Contrary to popular belief, Scotch is not just for old men sitting around stuffy country clubs...it’s the original luxury spirit and it’s now more popular than ever!</p> <P>But for someone who wants to learn about Scotch, it can be a little intimidating - overwhelming even; all those unfamiliar terms, different brands - the novice has no idea where to get started.</p> <P>Most books on the topic are written for those already familiar with Scotch and tend to concentrate on author ratings, distillery overviews, and tasting notes. They simply do not address the needs of someone new to Scotch.</p> <P>That’s where The Instant Expert’s Guide to Single Malt Scotch comes in.</p> <P>Readers will learn: </p> <ul> <li>How to read a label. </li> <li>How whisky is made, aged, and bottled. </li> <li>The difference between blended scotch and single malts. </li> <li>The difference between whisky & whiskey. </li> <li>About the four primary whisky regions of Scotland, and why you shouldn't worry about them. </li> <li>How to taste Scotch properly. </li> <li>Most importantly, how to determine what you will like. </li> </ul> <P>In the end, this book will equip readers with the fundamentals, enabling them to continue to explore the great taste of single malt Scotch whisky on their own.</p> <P>With new-found knowledge, what once seemed like an overwhelming number of choices will suddenly become an infinite number of unique possibilities to experience and enjoy!</p>
Product Description

Customer Response

Great Book
This is a great, extremely readable, basic introduction to single malt scotch -- how it's made and what some of the basic distinctions are. Reading it won't make you an expert, but it will probably make you more knowledgeable than most of your friends -- and you'll have fun while learning. It's short, succinct and very enjoyable. A terrific place to start learning about single malt.

Great Introduction for the Novice
Excellent introduction to single malt scotch. Mr. Erskine explains the do's and don't's without intimidating the beginner taster. It'll guide and prepare the reader for their first whisky purchase, followed by a basic explanation on how to explore the taste of scotch. A good addition to anyone's library... Cheers!

Great start point to whisky
I got my first bottle of whisky as a gift about 3 years ago. Since then, I've been slowly learning more and more about single malts. Mr. Erskine's book is an excellent starting point to the wonderful world of single malts. Most books offer tasting notes (which matter very little to most novices), and he doesnt. Rather, he instructs the reader on how to pick up the specific notes in each whisky. To be honest, I've yet to meet a single malt I really didnt like. Another helpful part of his book is the guide to proper pronounciations of each whisky (its Glen-fid-ick, not Glen-fiditch!). Lastly, the author is a very helpful; I've emailed him a few times with questions and he has always answered graciously. This book is a must-read, regardless of your level of "expertise".

very shallow
only thing I liked about the book is the classification of whiskies by characteristics, but you can get that online free

Instant Expert's Guide to Single Malt Scotch
A great intro into the world of single malt scotch. A quick read with straight forward no bull info that you will use as a reference in the future. No regrets, don't hesitate, can't go wrong.

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