A Double Scotch How Chivas Regal and The Glenlivet Became Global Icons

by Pacult, F. Paul

• ISBN13: 9780471662716
• ISBN10: 0471662712
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-03-21
• Publisher: WILEY

Summary

Praise for A DOUBLE SCOTCH "A Double Scotch tells the tale of how two men from farming stock, George Smith and James Chivas, found themselves as central figures in the birth of the modern whisky industry and who by hard work, hard-nosed determination-- and some luck-- created what were to become known as 'brands.' The pace is fast, the tone light but punchy, witty, and informed. Pacult has also uncovered facts that have been ignored by other whisky scholars and along the way, punctures some of the myths which have sprung up around the drink. Pour yourself a dram and dive in." -- Dave Broom Whisky journalist, United Kingdom "Clear, concise, informative, and full of wonderful personalities, A Double Scotch is a fascinating look at the distiller's art and the business that supports it. F. Paul Pacult's research is meticulous and his storytelling fluent. I enjoyed it mightily. What more could one want?" -- David Wondrich Esquire "F. Paul Pacult has literally poured himself into his work (and, to be sure, his work into him). . . . A Double Scotch is as vital and aromatic as a wee dram sitting by the reader's side. Make it a double!" -- Duncan Christy Editorial Director, Sky magazine "Scotch whisky, Scotland's gift to the world, developed, grew, and succeeded through the skill and tenacity of colorful and resourceful individuals. In A Double Scotch, these characters and the tribulations they had to overcome are brought to life, making the book a joy for all who wish to understand what has made Scotch whisky the global success it is today." -- Campbell Evans Scotch Whisky Association Edinburgh, Scotland

Author Biography

F. PAUL PACULT is the founding editor and publisher of the newsletter F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal – The Quarterly Independent Guide to Distilled Spirits, Beers, and Wines, now in its fifteenth year of publication. He is the author of the critically acclaimed book American Still Life: The Jim Beam Story and the Making of the World's #1 Bourbon, from Wiley, as well as Kindred Spirits and The Beer Essentials. He is the wine and spirits columnist for Sky, the Delta Air Lines in-flight magazine; a contributing editor and the spirits tasting director for Wine Enthusiast magazine; a contributor to CARGO; a special projects editor for the New York Times Magazine; and the judging director at the annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition. He is also honored to be the only journalist worldwide to be a member of The Bourbon Hall of Fame, a member of the Armagnac Company of Musketeers, and a life member of The Keepers of the Quaich Scotch Whisky Society. Paul lives in Wallkill, New York.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Patrick Ricard.

Preface: Sparks and Bonfires in Whiskyland.

Acknowledgments.

PART ONE: RASCALLY LIQUOR.

Prologue: The Guid Auld Drink.

1. AMagic of Locality.

2. Reaching the Boiling Point.

3. George Smith, Glenlivet, and Ancient Liberties.

4. The Great Era of Smuggling.

5. The Glenlivet.

6. Timely Passages.

7. Smoking Guns and Castles Three.

8. From On-the-Job Terror to Purveyor to Her Majesty.

9. Panicked Grouse and the End of a Defining Era.

PART TWO: THE SONS.

10. A Father’s Dreams.

11. The Chivas Brothers Company.

12. Such a Character as the Late Mr. Smith.

13. The Magic Words: Chivas Regal.

14. The Gallant Major’s Whisky, O!

PART THREE: THE BARONS.

15. A Spirit of No Common Rate.

16. Young Men of Conspicuous Gallantry.

17. Mr. Sam and Scotland’s Prince of Whiskies.

18. Drams of America.

19. Mr. Sam’s Historic Scotch Whisky Gambit.

20. The Joining of Two Scotch Whisky Giants.

Epilogue: The World of Opportunities.

Appendix A: Whisky Talk.

Appendix B: Personal Tasting Evaluations.

Bibliography.

Index.