'A brilliant book.' - Val McDermid Whisky is Scotland's national drink and has been for over five hundred years, since then becoming a global phenomenon. It is a drink that is a profound and important part of Scottish life and culture and possibly the country's finest export. Food critic Rachel McCormack takes to the road across highlands, lowlands and islands to discover what makes the perfect whisky. Interspersing an engaging mix of anecdotes, history and information on each major, and minor, distillery, the unique brand each produces, and of course the people who create them, this book will appeal to everyone from the whisky connoisseur, to the novice whisky learner looking for some guidance on what to choose to drink that suits their palette. Rachel travels the length and breadth of her beloved Scotland, discovering a myriad of unique and interesting people and facts about this remarkable drink, with interviews with the key people who create it around the country, as she visits the famous distilleries of her country, as well as the more home-grown variety. All supported with glorious photography capturing not only the beauty of Scotland, but also the many distilleries and their communities who create this wonderful drink that is exported around the globe - from Arisaig, to Lagavulin; Glenfiddich to Glenlivet. This is the perfect companion to understanding and appreciating whisky. Enjoy.

Author Biography

Rachel McCormack is the daughter of a Macallan drinker, Rachel was introduced to whisky via flu-alleviating hot toddies. At seventeen years of age she had a rude awakening in a Glasgow pub after asking for the house whisky and discovered that not all whiskies were the same. Her Father maintains to this day that he ruined her taste buds with quality malt at far too young an age. She would like to think he gave them a crash course in discernment. She is a regular panelist on BBC Radio 4s The Kitchen Cabinet since the first pilot. She has also broadcast on the station's From Our Own Correspondent, the Food Programme and appeared as an expert guest on BBC Radio 2 on both the Simon Mayo show and the Chris Evans show.