101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die Hardcover – December 1, 2010

If you're the type of whisky drinker who hasn't ventured outside of a handful of malts or blends, or are just starting to discover whisky, this book is a great resource for discovering new and exciting expressions. First, I must commend Mr. Buxton for placing whiskies on his list which he confesses to not enjoying, but realizes others might find excellent - some of the peatier Islay scotches for example. I bought this book knowing it was a subjective list, and did so gladly since the book doesn't try to focus only on single malts or a specific whisky making region - like Mr. Jackson's treatise, a "Complete Guide To Single Malt Scotch." And in the process of reading through the 101 whiskies presented in the book I've discovered a handful of whiskies from distillers I've never thought of buying (i.e. Buffalo Trace) and in a couple of instances I've expanded on the list by filling the gaps in the ranges Mr. Buxton recommends. One such example is The Macallan, which places three spots on the list with their 10, 18 and 30 year old expressions. After buying a bottle of The Macallan 10 year, and trying their 18, I decided to purchase a bottle of 15 year Fine Oak, which isn't on the list. The Macallan profile was so good in the two I tasted from the list that it convinced me to try the 15 year and see what I might have been missing between the 10 and 18 year expressions; I'm glad I did!The list isn't presented in any hierarchal structure, but rather alphabetically, which makes finding whiskies easy and the book enjoyable to read. The only complaint I have is with Mr. Buxton's color coded price guide, which can often be hard to decipher requiring a trip back to the front of the book to glance at the legend and as one color blind friend mentioned is near useless for him. Other than that small quibble, this is an excellent book and one I highly recommend.

The book is very basic and will allow for you to really explore the world of whiskey, one bottle at a time. The author provides his input and a simple justification of why a particular whiskey was selected. I find that it will be a great challenge from here forward to try all the listed whiskies before I die, but I am already at a 16 bottle start before I picked up the book. I found that his reasons for listing the ones I have tried match very much to why I liked them as well. I would recommend anyone that has an interest in drinking a whiskey without coke to pickup this book and a few bottles, and you just might make some new friends.

This is my first book on Whisky/Whiskey and may I just say my mouth is watering at the descriptions.Perfectly laid out, with a pic of each bottle, price andcompany name. Then the authors delves deep into the location, history, taste, colour, nose etc. I drink alot of whisky, not always the top brands, I only sample them when going through customs which happens a couple of times a year. But this book is a must for anyone wanting to gain or increase their knowledge of Whisky. I for one have marked 10 bottles already that I'm going to try asap.I bought the Kindle version and although the pics are in B and W they are still detailed. Not as good as the book version but good.Thanks to all the other posts, you helped convince me.To your health guys Slangevar!!!

I got this as a gift for my husband because he loves trying new whiskies. And let me just say, he STILL thanks me for it a year later. The book is broken up into 101 whiskies that the novice may never have heard of, but aren't necessarily too difficult to come by. Over the past year, we've brought it with us when going on a quick liqour run and check off the ones we've tried. Plus it tells you a bit about the whiskey, where it originates from and other fun facts. It's not for the person who loves the mixed drinks, just the person who likes to nurse and enjoy a nice glass of whiskey. Great for the whiskey beginner :)

I bought this for my husband for his birthday based on reviews I read online. Of course when it arrived I decided to browse through it myself and I must say that it's easy to read and is a handy reference guide for someone who likes scotch whiskey but doesn't know as much about it as he/she would like (which is a category my husband falls squarely in!!). So I think he'd enjoy reading this very much and can't wait for him to start trying all the whiskies he'd never tried before as per the book's advice.

A useful introduction to the world of whisky. It is informative in so far as we get a small amount of history and associated facts about the various whiskys. And it is useful in so far as it offers a way to structure your purchases of whisky, especially so in the Kindle version. Just keep it on your phone, next time you're in the grog shop, if a particular whisky catches your eye - look it up. You may not get an exact match but it will certainly add some gravity to your choice.

I bought this little volume for myself, while buying a gift book on the same subject for a friend. To tell the truth, I expected at best to occasionally read an entry or two. Usually books like this are very dry and matter-of-fact only. Ian Buxton, however, is not just an expert on the subject of Whisky. He's a very entertaining writer. The book is full of anecdotes and the kind of esoteric facts that those who enjoy their daily dram (or two) will really enjoy. I've laughed out loud, chuckled, been amazed and thoroughly entertained. All that said, the entries give a great picture of what to expect when trying one of the 101 selections.

I really like this book for the unbiased approach to ranking the whisky. There are some really good ones in here that I never would have tried had I not purchased the book. I am not a long time whisky drinker, but am learning to appreciate some of the finer qualities they have to offer. There is even a little section after each one for you to compare notes. I am sure I will never try them all,but at least it give you a guide to try and buy something different each time.

O livro é muito simples de usar e eficiente para o que se propõe: estabelecer um quadro de referências pessoais, altamente abalizadas pela qualidade dos seus experientes e renomados degustadores, que sirva de apoio na exploração de horizontes pelos amantes do malt e do whisky em suas várias formas.Em vários aspectos o trabalho adota o conceito de design/projeto o que se pode ver clara e lindamente na forma final do livro de grande rendimento estético e motivacional...Altamente recomendado!

It is a very good whisky book

just the right book to buy for yourself or as a present for a true whisky drinker! My wife Kt bought this for me (with a lil nudgin & a this would be a nice prezzie for xmas comment) This gives a clear & easily read description & explanation of the taste you should expect from the different whiskies, whether you can taste what you've read about a whisky is a different matter! All i know is, its going to be a good book to pick up & have a little flick thro when you're bottle at home is getting a bit low & your birthday, fathers/mothers day, xmas, new years day or any other day you can think of that deserves a present or just because you or the person you're buying for is worth it! (just hope the one you pick to try is to your taste when you get it :-)) Happy flickin, pickin and sippin! and hopefully not have to be buyin! Thanks Kt, love you lots! i'll just make sure the expensive ones i want to try are the ones you can tell our beloved son he can buy me lol!

The whisky world is overflowing with tasting notes and spurious aewards. This book does not seek to add to the pile. Instead, Ian Buxton has simply listed 101 interesting whiskies, together with reasons, background information and tasting notes. It is a thought provoking read and presenting the whiskies in alphabetical order makes it impossible to infer a hierarchy - on the other hand, it does make the last two or three rather less of a surprise.I have tried most of the 101 whiskies already and agree with most of the choices - I would take issue with one or two but then where would the fun be if we all agreed all the time.This is a nicely presented, well written book and by steering clear of rankings, ratings and one off super expensive bottlings it sills a real gap in the market.

A good starting point for anyone interested in getting to know /getting around the world of whisky..... by the time you are even 1/3 of the way in you should have found at least the vocabulary to know why you agree -or disagree -with the suggestions given- but such is research, one won't like Everything.....!or rather there will be some a lot lees to anyone's taste tan others -n[but at least you'll knoiw why!