The 2021 Malt Whisky Yearbook was released this month, garnering due and appropriate attention around the world. It’s worth looking into this remarkable publication….
[Update: If you’re looking for our article on the 2024 Malt Whisky Yearbook, see here]
As any Scotch whisky enthusiast will tell you, the first written reference to whisky being made in Scotland was in 1494. That was in the Royal Exchequer Rolls, but it would be several centuries until someone thought the subject was interesting enough to merit writing a book about it. Alfred Barnard’s “The whisky distilleries of the United Kingdom”, published in 1887, became a seminal publication.
Of course, hundreds of books on whisk(e)y have been written since, but there is just a handful that might universally be considered as being as influential or groundbreaking as Barnard’s writings. “Scotch whisky: Its past and present” by David Daiches in 1970 set the tone for “modern” authors, and – in the context of the current Scotch whisky boom, which had its foundations laid in the 1990’s – it was the work of Michael Jackson that tore down the mysteries of malt whisky and made the subject matter readable and accessible for the layperson. His “Malt Whisky Companion”, first published in 1989 and subsequently updated and re-published six times now (the 6th and 7th editions published after his death) was the go-to textbook and reference guide for any serious whisky lover. Whilst other authors and books addressed the topic in either a more general/holistic sense, or narrowed the subject matter to a more defined sub-topic (there are numerous fantastic books by the likes of Dave Broom, Charlie Maclean, Jim Murray, Ian Buxton, Dominic Roskrow, Ian Wisniewski, David Wishart, and many more) Michael Jackson’s book was unique for its time because it gave a profile on each distillery, plus effectively reviewed and scored its core range expressions. And, with each subsequent edition, it reviewed an increasing (and unmanageable) number of independent expressions.
The problem with such books – and the Malt Whisky Companion was particularly prone – is that published facts and information rapidly and continuously changed and became incorrect or out-of-date. Distilleries change ownership; core range expressions and livery change; production methods or equipment change; distilleries expand or re-open or close; and new players arrive on the scene. Such was the rate and extent of change, it was almost as though these books needed to be updated every year. Enter the Malt Whisky Yearbook…..
First published in 2005 by Ingvar Ronde and updated, refreshed, and released each year since, the Malt Whisky Yearbook has now become an invaluable resource for anyone wanting the short and fast facts about a distillery and its whiskies. Historical timelines; major releases; and the happenings of the previous twelve months are presented for each of the listed distilleries. With subsequent annual publications, the book has grown and expanded to incorporate opinion pieces, profile pieces, industry assessments and reports, and it has also grown in its listings and information on distilleries around the rest of the world, outside the “traditional” whisky countries. The 2021 edition covers 665 whisky distilleries from around the world; offers over 200 tasting notes (including independent bottlings), and lists more than 150 of the world’s greatest whisky shops.
One of the more fundamental and appealing attributes of the yearbook is its accuracy. Whilst the notion of a physical hardcopy book might seem antiquated to some folks in a world with Google and the internet, it can often be a very difficult task to find correct and up-to-date information in the ocean of web pages that often propagate or stem from the same outdated source material.
Not surprisingly, the book focusses chiefly on Scotch whisky, and its pages and information are structured accordingly. However, as malt whisky production extends further and wider into “new world” territories, the pages devoted to the international scene outside Scotland grow with each subsequent edition.
Of particular use and value, the Malt Whisky Yearbook also lists and provides information on the plethora of new distilleries that have emerged in the last ten years or so. For the Scotch whisky enthusiast, this section brings you instantly up to date with the details and activities of the many smaller (and some large) distilleries that have commenced operations across Scotland, but have yet to release matured stock to the market.
For those who like their facts and figures, the Malt Whisky Yearbook goes beyond a mere listing of distilleries, but also gives summary insights into the industry at large. Sections towards the back of the book feature lists that outline overall production levels, comparisons of international production and export data, industry statistics, ownership details, tables and details of the relative size of each distillery, geographical maps, and so on.
One of the more appealing aspects of the Malt Whisky Yearbook is that its additional content changes a little each year. Whilst the information on the distilleries is paramount and key (and they’re the bits that need updating each year), the other feature articles and inserts make for interesting and informative reading also. And, contrary to what you might think, many of those inserts are less time-sensitive. In other words, there is merit and reward in acquiring previous editions of the Yearbook, as they contain informative and interesting snippets that educate and remain relevant.
For example, last year’s 2020 Yearbook had a series of profiles on Pioneers of Whisky; the 2018 Yearbook had profiles on each of the major whisky companies and how they were founded/formed; the 2017 Yearbook interspersed the distillery listings with a fascinating series of “Six burning questions” that were asked of key industry personnel. Similarly, the 2014 Yearbook had a series of profiles on famous blended whisky brands and whisky scenes/people around the world. The latest 2021 edition has a series of profiles on the industry’s “whisky icons”, looking at the names and personalities of key figures who’ve been in the industry, for three, four, and five decades. In short, the previous editions should not be viewed as being obsolete or out of date – there is more beyond the distillery listings.
And for those who seek further reading on the subject matter, the Malt Whisky Yearbook shines a light on the whisky blogs and resources that are “Websites to watch”. Whisky & Wisdom is humbled to make the list once again.
So…as someone whose whisky education and enthusiasm for the subject was heavily cultivated by reading the whisky books of the late 1990’s, I can sincerely and heartily endorse the Malt Whisky Yearbook to anyone wanting to further their knowledge of whisky. You can get your copy of the 2021 Yearbook (and also back-issues back to 2008) at www.maltwhiskyyearbook.com for £14.95 + shipping. Recommended reading. 😊
Cheers,
AD
