"A whiskey novice's best friend . . . It's a book I plan on keeping around for constant reference."--Saveur

"Ideal for the hobbyist and neophyte alike, it makes for a great reference for building your perfect at-home bar."--Wine Enthusiast "Clay Risen brings a light and unfussy tone to his descriptions of distilleries and the many variations each distillery makes. How reliable are his ratings? He wins me over by consistently scoring bottlings from the obscurish but excellent Springbank above the exposed Glendfiddich."--The Wall Street Journal

"Regardless of where the whiskeys fall on the single malt spectrum, Risen and his tasting panel have created a definitive reference on the topic. This is a must-have guide for novices and aficionados alike."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Risen rates and describes 200+ whiskeys in direct honesty, and delivers a fine, concise history and guide to American whiskey. Tuck it in your hip pocket and go drinking."--Whisky Advocate

"Smart and stirring."--New Republic

"There are numerous Scotch books on the market, but Risen's is the best introduction to single malt Scotch to hit the shelves since Michael Jackson's Complete Guide. If you know a beginner or intermediate Scotch drinker, it would be hard to find a better gift."--K&L Wine Merchants