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Peat Smoke and Spirit: The Story of Islay and Its Whiskies
Those who discover malt whisky quickly learn that the malts made on the Isle of Islay are some of the wildest and most characterful in the malt-whisky spectrum.
In PEAT SMOKE AND SPIRIT, Islay's fascinating story is uncovered: from its history and stories of the many shipwrecks which litter its shores, to the beautiful wildlife, landscape and topography of the island revealed through intimate descriptions of the austerely beautiful and remote countryside. Interleaved through these different narrative strands comes the story of the whiskies themselves, traced from a distant past of bothies and illegal stills to present-day legality and prosperity. The flavour of each spirit is analysed and the differences between them teased out, as are the stories of the notable men and women who have played such a integral part in their creation.
The perfect adjunct to a glass of whisky on a dark, fire-lit evening, PEAT SMOKE AND SPIRIT is the last word on Islay and its whiskies.
In PEAT SMOKE AND SPIRIT, Islay's fascinating story is uncovered: from its history and stories of the many shipwrecks which litter its shores, to the beautiful wildlife, landscape and topography of the island revealed through intimate descriptions of the austerely beautiful and remote countryside. Interleaved through these different narrative strands comes the story of the whiskies themselves, traced from a distant past of bothies and illegal stills to present-day legality and prosperity. The flavour of each spirit is analysed and the differences between them teased out, as are the stories of the notable men and women who have played such a integral part in their creation.
The perfect adjunct to a glass of whisky on a dark, fire-lit evening, PEAT SMOKE AND SPIRIT is the last word on Islay and its whiskies.
Hardcover
First published November 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 30, 2021
Peat Smoke and Spirit: A Tasty Dram for Lovers of Islay Malts, History, Nature, and Terroir
Notes on second read:
Read this a second time during several Whisky tours of Speyside, Highlands, Skye, Islay, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Could really appreciate the details so much more after visiting Islay and touring the distilleries.
If you already in love with the peaty, smoky, and pungent malt whiskies of Islay, and you also have an appreciation for history, illicit distilleries, shipwrecks, isolated, cold, dark and wind-wracked island life, and a ton of details on the histories, important people, and distilling techniques of 7 of the now 8 distilleries on Islay (Kilchoman having not yet launched at the time of writing), then you will certainly enjoy and savor this book just like a fine dram; it's charms open up over time, with a complex mix of flavors and themes, in sometimes ornate language, but with an intense sense of terroir (location) and romanticism about that precious golden liquid known as "uisge beatha" (Gaelic for "water of life") or aqua vitae (Latin for same).
While the book is now around 15 years out of date, it gives very distinctive descriptions of the Kildalton distilleries (Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg) along with Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabin, and Caol Ila. If like me you've discovered the joys of Islay whiskies and are keen to visit the island itself and take in the rugged nature, salty air, remote distilleries, and the people of Islay while touring the distilleries, this is a good book to whet your appetite. I've heard that if you are willing to brave the crowds and high prices, the Feis Islay music and whisky festival is the ultimate experience for Islay malt lovers, but the rest of the year is equally fair game to experience Islay for yourself, preferably having read the book or taking it with you, as you sample all they place and people have to offer.
Notes on second read:
Read this a second time during several Whisky tours of Speyside, Highlands, Skye, Islay, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Could really appreciate the details so much more after visiting Islay and touring the distilleries.
If you already in love with the peaty, smoky, and pungent malt whiskies of Islay, and you also have an appreciation for history, illicit distilleries, shipwrecks, isolated, cold, dark and wind-wracked island life, and a ton of details on the histories, important people, and distilling techniques of 7 of the now 8 distilleries on Islay (Kilchoman having not yet launched at the time of writing), then you will certainly enjoy and savor this book just like a fine dram; it's charms open up over time, with a complex mix of flavors and themes, in sometimes ornate language, but with an intense sense of terroir (location) and romanticism about that precious golden liquid known as "uisge beatha" (Gaelic for "water of life") or aqua vitae (Latin for same).
While the book is now around 15 years out of date, it gives very distinctive descriptions of the Kildalton distilleries (Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg) along with Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabin, and Caol Ila. If like me you've discovered the joys of Islay whiskies and are keen to visit the island itself and take in the rugged nature, salty air, remote distilleries, and the people of Islay while touring the distilleries, this is a good book to whet your appetite. I've heard that if you are willing to brave the crowds and high prices, the Feis Islay music and whisky festival is the ultimate experience for Islay malt lovers, but the rest of the year is equally fair game to experience Islay for yourself, preferably having read the book or taking it with you, as you sample all they place and people have to offer.
January 10, 2015
Excellent blend of place study and aficionado's analysis. Jefford writes with spirit of the history, culture, geology, and people of Islay (pronounced Eye-la, by the way), the Hebridean island nowadays known for its unique whiskies but once a power center from which the Lord of the Isles (Clan Donald) ruled much of western and southern Scotland. I'm not sure someone uninterested in single-malt scotch whisky would love the extremely detailed studies of the seven distilleries of Islay (an eighth has appeared since this book was published) and descriptions of their products. Jefford savors the baffling but lyrical lingo of the professional taster and connoisseur. Just to share one sample, a fairly restrained one:
"No other whisky on the island combines the savoury warmth of a true peat fire with the thrown salt of a wild sea like Laphroaig, and this cask-strength 10-year-old at present is the best place to find it. The wood sweetness is still there, of course, but this time the peat smoke seems to have the upper hand. The sweetness, thus, now has the dignity of scented moss, or of young seaweed freshly uncovered by the tide. The oily peat, meanwhile, slaps the tongue with a calving seal's strength; the salt is tightly packed; there is a blackness there, almost a bitterness. Even the spices are black: licorice, clove. This is a grand, stoic malt."
The one problem with Peat Smoke and Spirit is that it makes you want to have a glass of whisky in your hand as you read. I'm a glacially slow reader anyway, but not wishing to either squander my supplies of single malt or become (more of) a lush, I ended up nursing this book over about half a year. That's OK, it is a book for occasional sipping, not regular guzzling.
"No other whisky on the island combines the savoury warmth of a true peat fire with the thrown salt of a wild sea like Laphroaig, and this cask-strength 10-year-old at present is the best place to find it. The wood sweetness is still there, of course, but this time the peat smoke seems to have the upper hand. The sweetness, thus, now has the dignity of scented moss, or of young seaweed freshly uncovered by the tide. The oily peat, meanwhile, slaps the tongue with a calving seal's strength; the salt is tightly packed; there is a blackness there, almost a bitterness. Even the spices are black: licorice, clove. This is a grand, stoic malt."
The one problem with Peat Smoke and Spirit is that it makes you want to have a glass of whisky in your hand as you read. I'm a glacially slow reader anyway, but not wishing to either squander my supplies of single malt or become (more of) a lush, I ended up nursing this book over about half a year. That's OK, it is a book for occasional sipping, not regular guzzling.
September 9, 2010
A book I read in anticipation of a trip to Islay in Scotland. It interweaves chapters on each of the Islay whisky distilleries with chapters on the history of the island (including a chapter on shipwrecks, which was cool since I know a song which mentions a few of them -- now I know their stories!). It was a perfect introduction for our trip, and was a fun read throughout. If only the author could write a little less floridly, it would have been excellent. He describes the weather and scenery with the all the excessiveness of whisky tasting notes (I mean, seriously, how many places do you see water described as "uterine"?). If you can get past the prose, it is a wonderful reference for the island and its whiskies (and quite entertaining).
January 16, 2020
A long and fairly extensive book not just on the Islay whiskies but also on it's history, various shipwrecks, the nature of the island, even down to the sociopolitical conditions on the Island. The amount of information on each of the individual distilleries is quite staggering and I did tend to skim the various specifications at the end (I am sure those really dedicated to whisky would love them).
While the prose can get a bit flowery at time I don't think it really takes anything away from the book as a whole and I think should be in any whisky connoisseur's library for the amount of information it impairs.
While the prose can get a bit flowery at time I don't think it really takes anything away from the book as a whole and I think should be in any whisky connoisseur's library for the amount of information it impairs.
July 23, 2022
I have to admit I have conflicted feelings about this book.
On the whole it is virtually unimpeachable. Clearly Jefford sees Islay and all that encompasses it through barley-coloured glasses but it really couldn't be done any other way. A book like this couldn't be written by someone who doesn't have an adoration for whiskey and Islay malts in particular. Others have criticized his language for being poetic or flowery but I don't fault that; there's so much mystery behind what makes each distillery's product unique, so many intangibles and arguments (whether Islay sea air creates unique tones in their whiskies, if the water source really informs the peatiness, etc) that a purely straight forward and clinical breakdown would be far too antiseptic to enjoy. Moreover the descriptions of the island and the wildlife, both animal and human, and the conditions that surround them is something I may never get to experience; I want a writer who can paint the word picture, create a mythos. I want it to be a place I can imagine.
I do have some qualms about the layout. Opening the Islay portion with an extensive history feels like a mistake. When you start reading you're excited about the whiskey; to get bogged down in a painstaking list of past lairds and each of their family histories on and off Islay was, mostly, quite dull. Especially when you've been promised close looks at each distillery and the history of horrible shipwrecks that dot the seascape. It was a bit f a slog to get through the first couple of chapters.
But on the whole it's a minor quibble. For the ardent scotch fanatics that will actually be interested in the material it's a terrific volume.
On the whole it is virtually unimpeachable. Clearly Jefford sees Islay and all that encompasses it through barley-coloured glasses but it really couldn't be done any other way. A book like this couldn't be written by someone who doesn't have an adoration for whiskey and Islay malts in particular. Others have criticized his language for being poetic or flowery but I don't fault that; there's so much mystery behind what makes each distillery's product unique, so many intangibles and arguments (whether Islay sea air creates unique tones in their whiskies, if the water source really informs the peatiness, etc) that a purely straight forward and clinical breakdown would be far too antiseptic to enjoy. Moreover the descriptions of the island and the wildlife, both animal and human, and the conditions that surround them is something I may never get to experience; I want a writer who can paint the word picture, create a mythos. I want it to be a place I can imagine.
I do have some qualms about the layout. Opening the Islay portion with an extensive history feels like a mistake. When you start reading you're excited about the whiskey; to get bogged down in a painstaking list of past lairds and each of their family histories on and off Islay was, mostly, quite dull. Especially when you've been promised close looks at each distillery and the history of horrible shipwrecks that dot the seascape. It was a bit f a slog to get through the first couple of chapters.
But on the whole it's a minor quibble. For the ardent scotch fanatics that will actually be interested in the material it's a terrific volume.
December 15, 2015
A book is much like a dram of whiskey, if you don't have the right one at the right time you won't be satisfied. If it's adulterated in anyway you won't feel content, and above all else you have to approach it with the right attitude and give it the time it needs to open up.
I have heard very good things about Peat Smoke and Spirit, but for me it was ultimately unsatisfying. I love Islay Whiskies, but the history, the geography, even the flora and fauna of this wet and wind tossed little island left me cold.
This book, is a brief history of Islay's seven distilleries, sandwiched between, too long, chapters on every thing from the prehistoric development of Islay to the island's shipwrecks. (There are in fact now eight distilleries on the island but at the time this book was written, number eight, Kilchoman was still just a gleam in its master distiller's eye.)
I really enjoyed the distillery chapters but they are too short, and of course out of date. The world of whisky is moving too fast and the distillery's production numbers and expressions are woefully behind the times.
I also very much enjoyed the chapter on peat, I think a lot of people in the whisky community who enjoy drinking peated whisky don't know anything about what peat is or how it interacts with the malt. I know I didn't.
I wish Andrew Jefford, also the author of numerous books on wine, had left out the literary allusions, the flowery evocative language, and the constant digressions and just told us about the damn whisky!
I have heard very good things about Peat Smoke and Spirit, but for me it was ultimately unsatisfying. I love Islay Whiskies, but the history, the geography, even the flora and fauna of this wet and wind tossed little island left me cold.
This book, is a brief history of Islay's seven distilleries, sandwiched between, too long, chapters on every thing from the prehistoric development of Islay to the island's shipwrecks. (There are in fact now eight distilleries on the island but at the time this book was written, number eight, Kilchoman was still just a gleam in its master distiller's eye.)
I really enjoyed the distillery chapters but they are too short, and of course out of date. The world of whisky is moving too fast and the distillery's production numbers and expressions are woefully behind the times.
I also very much enjoyed the chapter on peat, I think a lot of people in the whisky community who enjoy drinking peated whisky don't know anything about what peat is or how it interacts with the malt. I know I didn't.
I wish Andrew Jefford, also the author of numerous books on wine, had left out the literary allusions, the flowery evocative language, and the constant digressions and just told us about the damn whisky!
February 8, 2016
While the book is a definitely useful resource for the history of Islay and Ileach distilleries, I found the author's use of excessive poetic and/or flowery language quite distracting--often times I'd be thoroughly enjoying a chapter or paragraph, suddenly to be pulled out of my reverie by a forced poetic aside or analogy. Some of the parts that were poetic were honestly quite enjoyable--well-written, dare I say poignant--but the majority of the poetics in the book were unneeded.
That said, the book is fantastic. I really enjoyed the author's version of the history of Islay, although admittedly the pacing can make the portions of the book seem to drag on and on before getting a chance to read about one of the distilleries on the island. (Which was the main draw of the book for myself.)
Those two small issues aside, this is a fantastic read for anyone interested in the history of Islay and its distilleries (minus Kilchoman, though maybe with luck we'll see an updated edition in the future?).
Oh, one last complaint--the chapter on shipwrecks around Islay was just depressing. Hard to read as I just found it terribly upsetting, but perhaps that's a testament to Jefford's writing prowess.
That said, the book is fantastic. I really enjoyed the author's version of the history of Islay, although admittedly the pacing can make the portions of the book seem to drag on and on before getting a chance to read about one of the distilleries on the island. (Which was the main draw of the book for myself.)
Those two small issues aside, this is a fantastic read for anyone interested in the history of Islay and its distilleries (minus Kilchoman, though maybe with luck we'll see an updated edition in the future?).
Oh, one last complaint--the chapter on shipwrecks around Islay was just depressing. Hard to read as I just found it terribly upsetting, but perhaps that's a testament to Jefford's writing prowess.
August 9, 2016
A well written book for zealots. Since I am one, I have to say I really enjoyed the book (for pleasure, I'd give it 4 stars), but as a reader, Jefford was excessively fond of detail. He does a nice job of portraying Islay as of 2003 (the book was published in 2004), and it's clear some things have changed since then. Maybe not on the island (I haven't been, so I don't know), but the distilleries seem to be doing well - better than they were in 2003. But the business has always been cyclical, and it's currently on an up swing. Hopefully they don't become victims of excess enthusiasm. For the whisky loving geek, a fun read. For everyone else, much too much about a largely unpopulated (3000 people) island with some very good whisky.
April 19, 2016
A beautiful written book about Islay and it's people. This book include history, nature and of cause whisky from all the existing distilleries. The author also share the technical details and data from each of them. Kilchoman is just mentioned briefly since it just got started. I feel I been to Islay and smelled the peat bogs the sea salt watching the seals and been pelted by rain. A very well written book which has funny moment in bedded in each chapter. Islay is on my list of destinations to visit and to explore specially all the different lovely distilleries and their single malt whiskies, sláinte to you all. A highly recommended read.
June 7, 2017
I wish I had read it before going to Islay, instead of just after leaving, as it was a great overview of the island, the whiskies, the history, etc. Fascinating, engaging, and very well written. I was hoping "Islay, Jura, and Colonsay: A Historical Guide" would be the same for the history but it was much drier and came up badly short. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone going to Islay, especially whisky lovers.
I'm actually about 30 pages from the end of this book, but had to give it back to my Mom (it was after all my Mother's Day gift to her that she hadn't had time to read yet) before flying back to Kabul, so I won't get a chance to finish it until August.
I'm actually about 30 pages from the end of this book, but had to give it back to my Mom (it was after all my Mother's Day gift to her that she hadn't had time to read yet) before flying back to Kabul, so I won't get a chance to finish it until August.
August 9, 2011
Jefford is a wine writer and this book purports to survey the famous whisky distilleries on the Hebridean island of Islay. But it does much more than that. Delving into the remarkable history of this Western Isle while bringing the salty, wet and heather strewn landscape to life, Jefford manages to capture the essence of the island, its people and yes, the whisky. He is a gifted writer and this fine work will leave you longing to up and go. So do the next best thing: read it on a winter’s night by the fire, a dram of Ardbeg within easy reach.
June 21, 2017
This was such a joy to read! Elliot bought it for me for Mother's Day since we were meeting up in Islay, Scotland for a week later in May. Bill and Elliot both read it before I did, but I'm glad I waited until the trip was over. It was like reliving all our distillery tasting experiences, and once again seeing the beautiful scenery of the Island. I also learned lots more about the making of the whiskeys and the history of the Island. Extremely well researched and written. I just wish there were a second edition describing all the changes that have occurred since 2004.
September 8, 2014
Parts of this book are overly technical (lyne arms and kettle shapes, etc), but the history in between is really crisply written and entertaining, and the book explains better than anything I've read the connections (or theories of connections) between the components of a whisky (water, terroir, grain source, timing of distillation process and its various stages...) and its taste. Plus you can just skim the technical parts.
July 23, 2018
A magical book about a magical place and its whisky. At times it may seem dense but only because the author packs in a sweeping account of everything: the history, the geography, the wildlife, and of course, the whisky.
August 28, 2021
A deep-dive into Islay distilleries for whisky aficionados! Although a bit dated now (Kilchoman Distillery was still under construction at the time of the book's publication), this is a nice snapshot of the island circa 2005. The book devotes a chapter to each of the Islay distilleries that existed at that time. In addition, the author included chapters on island history, culture, people, and flora & fauna. Like the influence of terroir on a single malt whisky, all of these factors have exerted their influence on the development of distilling on the island. A good book to peruse on a rainy day with a dram of your favorite whisky on hand! Slàinte!
September 14, 2020
This book added fuel to the fire of my burgeoning passion for not just Scotch whisky, but also the stunning islands some of the smokiest drams are distilled on. A wonderful read, cozy and relaxing, especially against the backdrop of my own visit to Islay a few years ago.
May 23, 2023
A very readable history of Islay, focusing on the whisky but covering history, economy, geology, demography, politics and nature too. Probably worth reading during or after a visit to provide a bit more context.
May 22, 2017
For the Scotch aficionado primarily.
May 1, 2020
Really wonderful and beautifully written with a passion, delicacy and sensitivity that stokes the heart as well as the head.
May 8, 2020
A perfect book for Islay & whisky lover
August 8, 2010
A book with several threads on Islay - the geology, the history, and the whisky. The geology was surprisingly fascinating - the Rhinns of Islay are some of the oldest rocks on the planet.
It's packed with historical details, whisky politics&lore and geology. Highly recommended to anyone interested on malt whisky.
the southern part of the Rhinns came into being 1,800 million years ago, a period of time which altogether defeats the imagination. The English Channel, for example, did not exist 8,000 years ago; England was then part of France and the European mainland. The stone of the Rhinns coming into being is 225,000 times more ancient an event. Another way to put it is to imagine the earth's history as a 24 hour day. Human beings have evolved in the last 8 seconds of that day alone; even the dinosaurs didn't appear until 22:48(and they lasted just 51 minutes). These rocks, by contrast, date back to shortly after lunch.
It's packed with historical details, whisky politics&lore and geology. Highly recommended to anyone interested on malt whisky.
January 16, 2016
I liked it - the explanation of whisky making and the comparison of distilleries is excellent - but I couldn't finish it. Andrew Jefford is a good writer and he has done his homework, but the subject just doesn't warrant a 400-page book: the human history and the natural history of Islay just aren't that interesting to a general audience in the grand scheme of things.
My favorite quote, which illustrates the writing style:
"What distinguishes malt whisky from vodka is, precisely, its impurities – a bundle of assorted alcohols, esters, aldehydes, phenols and acids which are usually termed 'congeners'. These are precious; these are, indeed, the whole point... The pot still, if you like, is the bicycle of the distilling world. Technically superseded long ago, but still the greatest and most efficient machine ever invented for the purpose for which it is used."
My favorite quote, which illustrates the writing style:
"What distinguishes malt whisky from vodka is, precisely, its impurities – a bundle of assorted alcohols, esters, aldehydes, phenols and acids which are usually termed 'congeners'. These are precious; these are, indeed, the whole point... The pot still, if you like, is the bicycle of the distilling world. Technically superseded long ago, but still the greatest and most efficient machine ever invented for the purpose for which it is used."
June 30, 2008
Decent book, but more poetic language than actual substantive information. I thought it would be a detailed guide to Islay whiskies, and it is, sort of, but it just wasn't particularly useful. I would recommend it to anyone other than a romantic scotch lover looking to indulge in romantic writing about scotch.
March 15, 2013
A really interesting and different way to write a book about whisky, a lot more about the people and place
November 23, 2013
Must-read for every Islay fan.
April 3, 2014
must read for any whisky lover, so many amazing details for each islay distillery. you will learn a lot. the chapters between the distilleries are semi-interesting but the distillery details... wow
August 5, 2014
Gives a good insight into Islay-life, the history and preparation of whikey.
May 22, 2016
A good resource - but now slightly dated - I'd guess about ten years out of date.
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