With the whisky industry being possibly the most dynamic it’s ever been – for example, new distilleries being established; existing distilleries changing ownership; defunct distilleries being resurrected; distillery upgrades and refurbishments; new brands appearing; new releases and new expressions entering the market; personnel changing companies; etc, etc – it’s a tough job trying to stay on top of every update and development. Fortunately for all of us, one man takes on the task each year and does all the research and reporting for us. For the avid whisky enthusiasts among us who want a one-stop-shop for all the latest data and information, there’s really only one resource: Ingvar Ronde’s “Malt Whisky Yearbook”.
First published in 2005 by Swedish whisky enthusiast, 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. However, the Yearbook is so much more than just a collection of facts and stats. Over the course of each annual publication, 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 malt whisky distilleries around the rest of the world.
The 2022 edition of the Malt Whisky Yearbook has been further expanded on last year’s edition and incorporates…
- Listings and updated details on 727 malt whisky distilleries from around the world.
- New and informative articles by well-known whisky writers including Charlie MacLean, Gavin D Smith, Ian Wisniewski, Neil Ridley, Joel Harrison, and Stefan van Eycken.
- Tasting notes for over 200 whiskies, including independent bottlings.
- A new feature where we meet the Trailblazers of Malt Whisky – those who pioneered malt whisky making in their respective countries.
- A listing of more than 150 of the world´s greatest whisky shops (a handy resource for when we can freely travel to other countries again!)
- A fantastic review of “The whisky year that was” – a comprehensive summary of all the news and trends in the industry.
- An entire chapter about the world’s leading independent bottlers.
- All the latest info on bottlings and web sites as well as the latest statistics and figures.
- More than 500 colour photos.
It’s more than just a good resource; it’s an entertaining read that is well written and presents itself with far greater personality than a mere factsheet. Whisky and Wisdom endorses and commends the Malt Whisky Yearbook to any whisky enthusiast who wants to deepen their knowledge of whisky and their connection with the industry. So how do you get yourself a copy? It’s available through www.maltwhiskyyearbook.com for £14.95 plus shipping.
Cheers,
AD
PS….interested in other whisky books? Check out Whisky & Wisdom’s review of The Highland Coast 700 Whisky Route, and there’s also its sequel, The Speyside Whisky Trail. Or you can read our write up of The Malt Whisky Yearbook’s 2024 edition.
