by Peter Kjær and Lars Gregersen
(Læs den danske anmeldelse
HER)
A new whisky book. In Danish. Written
by Danes.
The title translates to ”Scotch
Whisky -no colour, no filter” and it it probably gives better sense
in danish as ”no colour” also can be read as ”no bias”
It is not often one sees whisky books
in danish. Most whisky books written in other languages are
typically not translated into danish. Here, two danes, who both work
with whisky, has taken this step into writing a book about Scotch.
The authors are Peter Kjær (Krut's Karport, a whiskybar in
Copenhagen) and Lars Gregersen (LAGO, a wine and spirits import
company)
The authors
If you want to learn the differences
between the various distilleries in Scotland, you have to do the
hard, but enjoyable job, of tasting your way through the
approximately 110 distilleries, each of which is available in a huge
range of bottlings. But if you want to acquire a good general
background knowledge, a good whisky book is a great place to start.
”Skotsk Whisky” is such a book. The book offers good background
knowledge and it is well written and easy to understand, but at the
same time filled with lots of facts and special knowledge. This makes
the book a good reading both for the beginner and for the very
experienced whiskyentuiast.
The book's core is 5 chapters on Scotch
whisky's history, Description of how both malt and grain whisky is
produced, Scotch whiskys´ geography and whether it makes sense
talking about such, a trade description, and finally an advice on how to
actually taste and enjoy a whisky.
Exciting chapters in which the authors
appear on the right side of the often seen marketing driven
"literature" which can be read or heard when you move
around in the whiske world.
The chapters are scattered with a
number of interesting interviews with both danish and scottish whisky
professionals, that is, other authors, brand ambassadors, blenders,
managers etc. including a well known danish Glenfiddich collector. It
is simply excellent reading. The authors manages to get the majority
of the interviewed persons out of marketing mode, and into exciting talks
about how to work in the industry, and also share some of their
personal views on a variety of topics.
”Skotsk Whisky” do cover areas that
other whisky books usually skips or cover very ligthly. In the
chapter about the industry, there is a good description of what
independent bottlers is, and a very thorough description of what SWA
(Scotch Whisky Association) actually is.
SWA has been subjected to some
criticism in recent years. The authors don't cover this directly, but
it is mentioned peripherally in some of the proffesionals interviews,
and a few things they would like to see changed is mentioned.
The authors have chosen not to write
about the scene of Scotch whisky in Denmark. This is probably because
the authors themselves are part of this, respectively importer and
owner of a whisky bar. The people chosen for interviews are all from
companies the authors doesn't represent here in Denmark, which adds
integrity to the book.
My only criticism of the book is that
it isn't consistent on how to spell ”whisky” but changes the
spelling to ”whiskey” as soon as the whisky concerned is bourbon.
But I know that it would certainly irritate others if they had chosen
to do this... but people will learn some day :-)
Overall, the book is a must for any
danish whisky enthusiast, and clearly the best a whiskybook I've seen
from danish writers. Some may think that the competition here is not
exactly very big, but this book is so good that it's a shame that
people who do not speak danish is not immediately able to read it.
In the category of whiskey books
dealing with Scotch whisky in general, it is nice to see a book that
approaches the topics a little different, which makes the book a good
supplement on the shelf even if it's well stocked with other whisky
books.
The book is expected for sale
mid-October
