As most of you know, I have been writing for Mutineer Magazine a few months now and in doing so, have been attempting to challenge myself in different ways. The biggest challenge being to achieve a better understanding of spirits. Despite a penchant for fine calvados and really spectacular gin, I have always been a tad wimpy when it comes to most other liquors, namely whiskey. I have a little nip from Phil’s tumbler here and there, but have always been a little intimidated by the robust, smokey drink. I recently was given the chance by St. Martin’s Press to review a new book by Kate Hopkins (You may know her as the Accidental Hedonist), called “99 Drams of Whiskey: The Accidental Hedonist’s Quest for the Perfect Shot and the History of the Drink”, (you may have noticed it in my left margin). I jumped at the chance to not only review the book, but was also excited to learn about whiskey and the mysteriously contented world around it.
Like many of you I have been reading the insightful and informative food blog Accidental Hedonist for some time now. Several times a week, Kate provides thought provoking information on food and drink, carefully blended with humor for our reading pleasure. I should tell you that as great as her blog is, the book is even better. I had heard “99 Drams” described as an anthology of whiskey and Kate told me herself that many are treating it as a travel guide, when nothing could be further off the mark. I think calling her the Ted Simon of whiskey may be a little overboard, but it is certainly more apt than calling her the Rick Steves of whiskey. Whatever conclusions you draw about Kate from this book, I am sure you’ll agree that she is an excellent guide.
In the book Kate chronicles her journey through Ireland, Scotland, America and Canada with friend Krysta in the search for greater understanding of not just whiskey, but of the passionate whiskey lover. Kate approaches this journey with enviable open mindedness balanced with a critical eye for the hard sell. “99 Drams of Whiskey” is part philosophical journey, adventure and historical explanation. Unlike many beverage books out there, this book is engaging and an all around great read. She embraces the idea that taste is subjective and encourages others to do the same, acknowledging that snobbery has little place in such a varied world. It could have been so easy for Kate to deliver us pages of dry history coupled with neat little descriptions of whiskey. Instead, she threw herself into the experience, provides us with well researched history, that is kept light through the healthy injection of Kate’s wonderfully dry humor and a generous amount of skepticism.
I am a bit of a sucker for this book. It falls into my own made up category of “anywhere but here” writing that includes those such as Simon, Mayle and Mayes. These are books, by people who seem to have discovered something as precious the meaning of the Deathly Hallows; the art of slowing down and living in the moment, often with a friend and something lovely in a glass is one of the simplest ways to gain enjoyment out of life.
I was fortunate enough to speak with Kate last week on the subject, though I will admit that a great majority of my usual questions were answered in the book itself. What I did find was someone who doesn’t just question things in life but explores them and lives them. Personally, I believe that with so many people out there ready to tell you your taste and perceptions are wrong, it is refreshing to find someone as openminded as Kate and I’m happy she decided to commit her ideas and journey to paper. I completely recommend this book to anyone from novice (like myself) to whiskey expert and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Oh, and if you haven’t already; check out the Accidental Hedonist it is a fascinating blog.
P.S. I also completely recommend you read Jupiter’s Travel’s by Ted Simon, it’s one of my favorites.
** For all of you who have commented or checked in on the site while I have been away from the keyboard; thank you! I am now back and on my regular posting schedule. I appreciate all of the well wishes more than you know.
This just might be the antidote to the whiskey aversion I’ve experienced since that night with Jack Daniel’s. Thanks, Erin!
Mmmm, whiiiiskeeey!… ahem. I like whiskey, gin, cointreau… and wines, but don’t drink beers and lagers or stout because I don’t like the taste.
My trouble is finding a whisk(e)y that’s good enough to go with other things, but not too good to waste tainting it with other things!! A whisky with ginger for example or a whisky sour – I like them, but don’t want to waste a good whisky by plonking ginger or other things with it.
I am equally fussy with champagne – won’t drink anything with it. I likes me champagne naked as nature intended!
“What I did find was someone who doesn’t just question things in life but explores them and lives them.” … so this is where I’ve been going wrong then! I constantly question everything in order to learn from it…. but actually don’t much like living. Chocolate, spirits and wine and definitely books, but living not so much.
Oh Griffin, I only meant she asks her questions in a different way, a way more of us should.
Oddly enough, chocolate, wine and spirits are the subjects of three different pieces I have recently written (or am writing)!
Les, You may wish to skip that portion of the book, unless you are sure your tum can take it. Kidding.
Leslie, bourbons are my nightmare too! I hate sweet and bourbons smell and taste disgustingly sweet. I once took a huge mouthful of what I thought was a soft drink that my husband was drinking….. only to decorate the room with it as it was bourbon and coke….. absolutely vile! I still shudder at the memory.
Whisk(e)y on the other hand is something I love love love.
I like the fact that you quoted her saying that the different tastes of whiskey shouldn’t be treated snobbily. Too many times people have said that you “must only drink” XYZ whiskey. There are a few different brands in my cupboard and I pick which one I feel like at the time. Sometimes I want a really smokey, richly scented whiskey, other times I will go for an irish whisky as I want the clear unpeated flavour.
Must say that I do not buy cheap whisk(e)y though. I do have a penchant for aged, traditional ones – none of the Johnny Walkers etc are allowed to cross my doorway. As I rarely drink alcohol these days, I think that when I do have a dram I want it to be the best I can get. “Best” being the one I like, not the one that is cheapest.
Griffin, whisk(e)ys go perfectly with cheese!! The stronger types, not a really delicate flavoured cheese.
Am going to look for the book as I think it sounds a good read. Thanks for the tip!
BTW
Welcome back!!!!! Missed you!
Erin, I was thinking that possibly it is wiser not to question so much but to explore and just get on with living. But in order to do that, you have to be fearless and to actually like living… which I don’t especially. And all my questioning usually leads to yet more questions rather than answers… sigh!
Possibly I should get this book just to learn how to live… and get whiskey!
Griffin, I see, I see. I believe you should read this book, whiskey in hand. Getting out and experiencing the question along with the answer is my favorite part of life.
Debbie, Oddly enough I experienced the same thing with bourbon, of course I was about 12. My mother and I were visiting her friend, I wasn’t paying attention and grabbed my mothers bourbon and water instead of my pop and ahh!
I think that is what I like most about the book and Kate. The idea that taste is subjective seems to be something I am hearing more of these days and I am glad for it. No one can tell another what they should and should not like; where is the adventure in that? I still have no idea why wines are given percentage ratings and grades, it means absolutely nothing to me.
Here’s to an open mind!
Thanks Debbie, it feels good to be back! I have a rather delicious post I am preparing to share with you Friday.
Oooh, can’t wait!
I bought some yummy small potatoes to make another potato salad tomorrow. Can’t quite decide which type of potato salad I feel like this week though…… definately will not be a mayo based one I can guarantee….. possibly smoked salmon and lemon zest, possibly tuna and capers, possibly none of the above.
What ingredients do I need to get in ready for friday night??
Debbie, get your nectarines, speck and quark ready!