Whiskey and Philosophy : A Small Batch of Spirited Ideas

by Allhoff, Fritz; Adams, Marcus P.; MacLean, Charles

• ISBN13: 9780470431214
• ISBN10: 0470431210
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-10-19
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Thoughtful essays on the history, significance, and pleasures of whiskeyEveryone becomes a philosopher with a drink in hand, but Whiskey & Philosophy takes this natural pairing to a new level. It explores a range of philosophical topics related to whiskey through engaging reflections written by philosophers, whiskey writers, and others.You will learn things that are both practical (how do tasting notes vary across guides and whiskey brands?) and thought provoking (why is there the popular conception that drinking whiskey makes people mean, and is it true?). Whether your interest lies in the drink itself or in the philosophical issues surrounding it, you'll find something to interest you in this unusual book. Covers subjects ranging from geographical origin to stylistic differences between whiskey and Scotch Explores philosophical ideas such as the aesthetics, metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics of whiskey and whiskey drinking Includes contributions from academics, journalists, and whiskey specialists, all written in an engaging and accessible styleWhether you prefer your whiskey neat or in a Manhattan, from the United States, Scotland, or elsewhere, Whiskey & Philosophy is your perfect drinking companion.

Author Biography

Fritz Allhoff, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Western Michigan University. His research areas are in ethical theory, applied ethics, and the philosophy of biology/science. He is the editor of Wine & Philosophy and Food & Philosophy (with Dave Monroe).

Marcus P. Adams, M.A., is a Ph.D. student in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Start up the Still

Scotch Whisky: From Origins to Conglomerates

Provenance and Authenticity: The Dual Myths of Scotch

The Heritage of Scotch Whisky: From Monks to Surgeon Barbers

Women, Whiskey, and Libationary Liberation

The Manhattan and You: Thinking about a Classic Whiskey Cocktail

Whiskey, Whisky, Wild Living, and the Hedonistic Paradox

What to Drink? Why We Choose the Bourbons We Do

The Phenomenology of Spirits: How Do Whiskeys Win Prizes

The Ideal Scotch: Lessons from Hegel

Where the Fiddich Meets the Spey: My Religious Experience

As a Good Bartender Might: Whiskey and Natural Kinds

Heisenberg's Spirits: Tasting Is More Uncertain Than It Seems

One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Buddhist Theory of No-Self

What Do Tasting Notes Tell Us

The Virtuous Whisky Drinker and Living Well

Nasty Tempers: Does Whiskey Make People Immoral

Whisky and the Wild: On Preserving Methods and Distilleries

Peat and Seaweed: The Expressive Character of Islay Whiskies

Japanese Whisky: æItÆs Called Queen George, and ItÆs More Bitched Up Than Its NameÆ

Whisky and Culture: From Islay to Speyside

Whiskey Tasting Notes

Our Favorite Whiskey Cocktails

Contributor Biographies

Index

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