These Are The Books Every Whiskey Connoisseur Should Own

The world has been enjoying whiskey in one form or another since the late 15th century, and in that time the drink has gone from an experimental elixir to a globally-celebrated beverage staple. And while anyone can consume whiskey, to fully appreciate the nuances and complexities of the flavors, notes, and aromas, you’ll need to educate yourself. So, while you could pack up, move to Scotland, and train under any one of the numerous legendary malt masters and experts from the region’s renowned distilleries, you’re almost certainly better off cracking open one of the many stellar whiskey-focused literary works. However, in the more than 500 years since the drink was invented, countless books have been published on the subject, which can make finding the right one for you feel like a stiff proposition.

So, to ensure your hunt for the best whiskey-themed works doesn’t leave you feeling on the rocks, we’ve compiled this concise list of the best whiskey books. Whether you’re looking to add a few new cocktail recipes to your arsenal, or learn the difference between a Japanese and Scottish whisky, how it’s made, a bit about the culture, how to properly nose and taste, or about the rich history of the enigmatic amber liquid, one or more of the entries on this list is sure to strike a chord with you and have you well on your way to becoming a bonafide whiskey connoisseur.

Why Read About Whiskey?

In today’s technologically-driven world of smart devices, augmented and virtual reality, streaming services, and 1,000HP+ supercars, it might seem an odd choice to spend one’s precious free time reading about a five-century-year-old liquor. The reality is, however, that learning about the finer points of the water of life comes with a host of worthwhile benefits. In addition to impressing your friends and family, a solid comprehension of whiskey will help you to better understand what specific qualities and characteristics make for a good whiskey, as well as what aspects you personally enjoy. Lastly, being privy to the history and centuries of hard work and ingenuity that went into the liquor adds another level of appreciation to the experience.

Le Snob Guide To Whisky

This unique take on a whiskey guide uses a tongue-in-cheek high-end approach and views whiskey appreciation as its own art. Capable of transforming its readers from whiskey novices to know-it-alls, this book touches on everything from how to properly taste whiskey to how to correctly pronounce certain whiskey-related terms and words. Offered in both soft and hard-cover versions, we’d argue this work’s main selling point is its included directory of some of the most prestigious and elite whiskeys ever to be bottled.

Whisky, Wit, and Wisdom

Though Whisky, Wit, and Wisdom takes a different approach than most other pieces of whisky-related literary works, it’s nonetheless just as deserving of a spot on this list. Rather than focusing on the drink itself, this book is a collection of fun, whisky-themed anecdotes from inside the wonderful world of whisky. And though Gavin D. Smith is credited as the author, it nonetheless includes stories from a variety of big names in the whiskey world. On top of providing its reader with some genuinely entertaining stories, the book also offers a unique look at whiskey culture, the industry, and the people who dedicate their lives to it.

Bourbon: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of an American Whiskey

As American as baseball or apple pie, bourbon is heavily ingrained in the cultural fabric of the US, and this fantastic 240-page book tells the story of the amber liquid in the States. Written by Fred Minnick, the book delves into how the drink was brought to the new world, from early corn liquor to modern-day mass-scale operations, this book traces the history of the drink back to the 1700s, going over its effects on everything from politics to pop-culture, and telling the definitive story of bourbon and its impact on America. It also features more than 100 illustrations and historic photos.

Hacking Whiskey

Written by Aaron Goldfarb, a self-described “whiskey nerd” and writer based in Brooklyn, Hacking Whiskery offers a unique take on traditional whiskey books. The 264-page literary work includes tips and tricks for drinking and cocktail mixing, as well as a slew of wildly unique recipes for drinks, including marijuana-smoke-infused whiskey and bone-marrow luge shots, among many, many more.

The Whisky Dictionary

This “whictionary” is the world’s most comprehensive whisky dictionary, going over countless words, terms, and phrases, though it doesn’t end there. From the same outfit behind the Tequila Dictionary and Gin Dictionary titles, this book also explores the history of the drink, the ingredients and techniques used in its production, and some of the science behind fermentation and the aging process. The hundreds of entries that constitute this 144-page book undoubtedly make it one of the most well-rounded books ever penned on the topic.

Big Whiskey

Big Whiskey tells the tale of America’s premier whiskey region: the dirty south, namely, Kentucky and Tennessee. It goes into the fascinating history of whiskey, moonshines, rye, and bourbon in the US through the use of historical archives, records, and photographs, while also profiling no less than 80 of the South’s most elite distilleries. The book also includes interviews with a myriad of Master Distillers. If you’re a fan of distilleries like Buffalo Trace, Russell’s Reserve, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, and Knob Creek, this is the book for you.

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2023

Jim Murray’s annual Whiskey Bible is pretty much the gold standard in whiskey literature. This particular volume is the latest edition (and the 20th in total) and boasts over 4,000 ratings and notes that are all easily understood by a layman. Everything in this book is broken down and organized by region and distillery, too. With Murray’s books having covered well over 22,000 different whiskeys, it’s not hard to see why he’s become such a respected authority on the subject.

The Complete Whiskey Course

As the title suggests, this book breaks down whiskey for the uninitiated in easily digestible language and through the abundant use of some handy graphics and illustrations. In addition to teaching readers how to “nose” and taste whiskey, the book contains information on the history of the spirit, why different regions use varying techniques, and some basic info on the science and process behind how it’s made. If you’re looking to become a connoisseur, this is the book you want.

The World Atlas Of Whisky

The latest version of this ultra-comprehensive guide to whiskeys of the world, the World Atlas of Whisky features a variety of detailed maps of key whiskey regions along with tasting notes on more than 300 select whiskeys. Penned by Glenfiddich Award-winning author, Dave Broom, the book also breaks whiskeys down into different groups, helping the reader to better understand the qualities and nuances involved in the so-called water of life.

The Way Of Whisky

Another entry from noted whisky/whiskey expert, Dave Broom, this book recounts the rise of Japanese whisky over the last two or so decades. Born out of more than 25 trips taken by Broom to Japan, this book explains the state of the single malt industry in Japan since the island first started exporting the stuff in 2002. With each chapter covering a different distillery of significance, the book also explores what makes Japanese whisky unique and how distilleries there balance tradition and innovation.

Malt Whisky

This book gives an in-depth and comprehensive look at good ‘ol malt whisky: what it is, where it comes from, and how it’s gotten to where it is today. This guidebook also includes a helpful whiskey dictionary covering common terms and phrases, along with tips and tricks on how to properly taste whisky and some advice on buying it. Written by industry legend, Charles Maclean, the book also includes some 150 high-quality photos, a myriad of full-color maps, and a slew of other features that help bring this literary work to life.

Bourbon: The Story of Kentucky Whiskey

You may think that $100 is a lot about a book on bourbon (although there are some deals to be had here and there) but Clay Risen’s Bourbon is more than just a book; it’s an experience. The tome itself chronicles the full, extensive history of America’s spirit from the beginning to where it currently is today. It’s filled with tons of photographs and interviews with historians and important people in the industry, detailing how to build a collection and highlighting the most important players in the game. If that’s not all, the book is packaged with a compartment filled with replicas of ephemera from pre-Prohibition. There are reprints of old promotional sheets from distilleries and maps of the bourbon trail in Kentucky from 150 years ago.

The Best Cocktail Books for Your Home Bar

If you’d like to collect some more books outside of the world of whiskey, check out our guide to the best cocktail books so you can make some concoctions at home.