Eleven entertaining, and individual fictional short stories based on factual conversations with people over the years in whisky bars in Scotland, and including some of the authors own adventures. A Chapter per Dram is a good warming measure, and entertaining reading for whisky-lovers. and those who like a good story.

"A singular story, and an inspiring journey with one of the original characters of the contemporary scotch whisky world. Find out how an ordinary man discovers his first dram of single malt, and unwittingly departs on a journey over time, ... and then online. Ralfy relates stories, tales and anecdotes full of real characters, real events, real places, and real whisky."--Page 4 of cover.

Shortly after graduating from University of Glasgow in 1934, Elizabeth “Bessie” Williamson began working as a temporary secretary at the Laphroaig Distillery on the Scottish island Islay. Williamson quickly found herself joining the boys in the tasting room, studying the distillation process, and winning them over with her knowledge of Scottish whisky. After the owner of Laphroaig passed away, Williamson took over the prestigious company and became the American spokesperson for the entire Scotch whisky industry. Impressing clients and showing her passion as the Scotch Whisky Association’s trade ambassador, she soon gained fame within the industry, becoming known as the greatest female distiller. Whiskey Women tells the tales of women who have created this industry, from Mesopotamia’s first beer brewers and distillers to America’s rough-and-tough bootleggers during Prohibition. Women have long distilled, marketed, and owned significant shares in spirits companies. Williamson’s story is one of many among the influential women who changed the Scotch whisky industry as well as influenced the American bourbon whiskey and Irish whiskey markets. Until now their stories have remained untold.

A visually stunning illustrated guide to the history, craft, and appreciation of Kentucky bourbon Bourbon, we soon realized, was not just a good drink. It was a drink with a story, from a place, with an unbreakable tie to the people and the land that produced it. Whiskey expert Clay Risen explores the origins, history, and evolution of America’s distilling craft and culture in this luxurious boxed set. From boom to bust and back again, Risen tells the engrossing story of Kentucky whiskey, using interviews, photographs, and archival material to illuminate the singular region where bourbon was born. This meticulously researched book details how bourbon is made, how best to enjoy it, and how to build your own collection, along with profiles of the distilleries and makers that form the landscape of bourbon country.

The newly updated edition of David Wondrich’s definitive guide to classic American cocktails. Cocktail writer and historian David Wondrich presents the colorful, little-known history of classic American drinks--and the ultimate mixologist's guide--in this engaging homage to Jerry Thomas, father of the American bar. Wondrich reveals never-before-published details and stories about this larger-than-life nineteenth-century figure, along with definitive recipes for more than 100 punches, cocktails, sours, fizzes, toddies, slings, and other essential drinks, along with detailed historical and mixological notes. The first edition, published in 2007, won a James Beard Award. Now updated with newly discovered recipes and historical information, this new edition includes the origins of the first American drink, the Mint Julep (which Wondrich places before the American Revolution), and those of the Cocktail itself. It also provides more detail about 19th century spirits, many new and colorful anecdotes and details about Thomas's life, and a number of particularly notable, delicious, and influential cocktails not covered in the original edition, rounding out the picture of pre-Prohibition tippling. This colorful and good-humored volume is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the timeless appeal of a well-made drink-and the uniquely American history behind it. From the Hardcover edition.

'Straight Whisky' is the first book ever to chronicle all the music, magic and mayhem of the Sunset Strip. Erik Quisling and Austin Williams have created a unique multi-levelled portrait that is unlike any other rock book on record. With its sweeping historical analysis and down and dirty details, 'Straight Whisky' pulls no punches and leaves no stone unturned. Quisling has drawn upon extensive research to chronicle the ways in which music on the Sunset Strip has both shaped and reflected the American experience since 1964. Williams has chosen sixteen of the most memorable events from the period and developed them into dramatic narratives that offer an intensely intimate view of this incredible story. Together, along with dozens of rare photos and original interviews with the rock stars who were there when it all happened, these perspectives provide a comprehensive look at the most famous stretch of rock 'n' roll real estate on Earth: the famed 'rock block' of Sunset Boulevard. Here are the stories that have been whispered about for decades. Now they can be told out loud for the first time.