99 drams of whiskey : the accidental hedonist's quest for the perfect shot and the history of the drink

pt. 1. The right side of the Atlantic. To Ireland -- Dubliners -- The promised land -- The British influence -- This is John Jameson -- Locke's and loaded -- Two Irish men -- Kings and snobs -- The dance of the grouse -- The speyside major -- Drinking my age -- Castles and collapses -- Rain and peat -- pt. 2. The left side of the Atlantic. Whiskey rebellion -- Riding the coattails -- Blame Canada -- Westward, ho! -- Capone's cash cow -- To Kentucky and prohibition -- Obsession awakening -- Small batches and the big stage -- Way down South -- Reflections.;Traces the exploits of a popular food blogger in her international search for the world's finest whiskeys, a narrative account that shares historical information, profiles of forefront distilleries, and the insights of experienced aficionados. Kate Hopkins knew there had to be more to whiskey than using it as a mixer. She had an unquenchable thirst to learn more about "the drink" and set out on an ambitious itinerary researching its history. Combining comprehensive research with informal narrative, Hopkins entertains and educates the readers on whiskey's place in the history of the world. She visited historians and pub owners, went to distilleries owned by corporations who sell thousands of gallons per day, and artisans who sell thousands of gallons per year, and interviewed the aficionados and the common drinkers, because one of the best aspects of whiskey is not just its taste, but the stories about the drink that are told around the bar. As an added bonus, she discusses the fine art of distilling, the proper ways to drink whiskey, and provides tasting notes on different brands, all in the hope of discovering the best shot of the liquor.