Jim Murray's Whisky Bible

by Jim Murray

Book Overview

The most comprehensive whiskey guide ever written, now further expanded with more than 1,100 new entries. The world's best selling ratings guide to all types of whiskey including Scotch single malt,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1844425509
• ISBN13: 9781844425501
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Carlton Books Ltd
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.9" x 0.8" x 3.5"

Customer Reviews

You can trust the title on this one

A word on the book itself: my edition is from 2006 - this is updated every 2 years I believe, but I suspect only the really hard-core would need to buy every edition. It's long and narrow and has a flexible cover and would fit easily in the pocket as one peruses the shelves at one's local fine liquor purveyor; a warning to those with less-than-perfect eyesight though, the print is quite small. There's not a lot in the way of introductory material - a short rundown on the year in spirits, and very brief intros to the book's main sections - Scotland, Ireland, USA, Japan, and everywhere else. If you're looking for general information on the Water of Life, this is not the book to buy. If on the other hand you're looking for an enormously knowledgeable guide to all that's wonderful (and the little that's awful) in the world of this wonderful adult beverage, this might be the best starting point you could find. Some might find Murray too kind a critic -- on his 100-point scale, almost none of the 3,000 or so whiskys rate less than 80, and the vast majority are 90+ -- but Murray is a hedonistic lover of the spirit in all its guises, not a pedantic finder of faults, and that's all to the good for those like me who are just beginning to find our ways in this distillation of humble grains. His ratings are highly descriptive, effusive, sometimes seeming overboard -- until I try the particular liquor in question, at which point I realize that he's typically on the money even at his most loquacious. I'm happy, personally, that he loves Bourbon and Rye as much as he does, rating them every bit the equal of Scotch, that in fact he is as unprejudiced a whisky writer as you'll find. My edition is from 2006; I will surely be buying updated editions as long as my thirst needs slaking....and I'll be updating this review after I finally crack my bottle of his #1 whisky, George T. Stagg.

Great Reference

The only really all inclusive tasting and rating reference on all forms of commercially available whisk(e)y ,Scotch,Irish,American,Japanese,etc., Costs less than 1/2 the cost of the average bottle of whisk(e)y and can save you from many a bad choice out there.With the increasing price hikes in Whisk(e)y this book at least is a good investment.The notes are sometimes terse but given the sheer number of whiskies sampled this is a necessary evil if you want something you can actually carry around to the store and use.

Truly a Whiskey Bible

Murray knows and loves whiskey. Whether you are a long time drinker or new to whiskey, you will learn something from the Whiskey Bible. It is detailed enough for veterans like myself but at the same time simple enough for beginners. I have any number of books on whiskey but the one that I keep at hand is the Whiskey Bible.

Tasty

With this and a good Ardbeg, your're all set!! The best guide out there. (Where's the 2006 edition!?)

The definitive guide

If you are looking for a guideline to navigate the world of whiskey this is what you are looking for. As a previous reviewer mentioned, Murray teaches the drinker that there are whiskies out there that are going to cost under $30 that are better than some that would take a bigger chunk out of your wallet than your car payment. In another of his books I learned about the outstanding but overlooked Irish whiskies. Both John Powers Gold and Jamesons can be found for under $25 in my part of the country. In this edition I found several blends that I like. I have never been a fan of blends until Jim Murray taught me about Teachers and Bushmills black. There are bargains out there on the internet for those that know what they are looking for. With Murrays Whiskey Bible in hand I found any number of great whiskies on the internet. Murray introduced me to the nectar of the gods, Islay single malts. For that reason alone I will always add Jim Murray books to my collection.