A Sense of Place: A journey around Scotland’s whisky

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Where are the tasting notes? Where is the information? Where is the story? Why is nobody asking “why?”? I honestly do love it. There is always something exciting, something new coming along. Are you a completist? Do you feel that you must try every single whisky? A mix of anecdotes, information on distillers, history and recipes, this is an informative and engaging book that will appeal to those learning about whisky as well as aficionados, and home cooks.

I do, to some extent, collect music. But the nature of my collecting music is that I just want to find interesting things, rather than wanting to be a completist.With stunning specially commissioned photography by Christina Kernohan, A Sense of Place will enhance and deepen every whisky drinker's understanding of just what is in their glass. A classic example being this week. A press release that was gibberish to begin with was then reprinted with even more gibberish added because whoever wrote the piece didn’t understand what they’re writing about. That’s not journalism. Is the most transparent way for reporting a press release to just publish a photocopy of it? I am always interested in distilleries which are pushing things forward. I’m interested in what’s happening in New Zealand. I’m interested in what’s happening the Nordics. And, what is happening there?

A book so beautifully tweedy I actually want to wear it as a hat. I am very glad it includes a map as Dave's authoritative guide has given me many great whisky-holiday ideas.” Damian Barr This is an engaging, humane and important book. I cannot recommend it too strongly.' Charlie MacLean Keeper Magazine A Sense of Place blends pin-sharp writing with evocative photography in a book to savour and treasure.’– Ian RankinThe ending of Scotch’s hegemony over the whisky category is a good thing because it’s allowing space and it’s also challenging Scotch whisky. The festival is being held in collaboration with The Fife Arms, The Royal Reading Room and is co-curated by Genevieve Gaunt with support from Tom Parker Bowles, St Margaret’s and local cultural partners. I do take a degree of pride that the artists I’m interested in are not easily traceable. Maybe I am programmed to like the obscure. So, what is the “ weird shit” that you are interested in? I am talking strictly whisky here. Dave Broom refers to a preposterous 1977 episode of Happy Days where Fonzie (Henry Winkler) is challanged to jump the shark. The show aired for another six seasons. Hasn’t whisky always been a commodity of sorts? It won’t be plain sailing (if I can extend these watery metaphors further). Isle of Raasay is only one of any other new plants starting up across Scotland and there are robust challenges to be faced. It needs to work out its character, what is its point of difference, how it can cut through in what is a cluttered market, but they are going in with eyes open.