Whiskey Book Review: Canadian Whisky: The New Portable Expert (Second Edition)

. I appreciated learning about the nuances and influences shaping Canadian whisky, which was essentially born of a desire to do something both creative and functional with the country’s natural resources, making the most of what existed (from water, to grain crops, to wood). de Kergommeaux’s explanation of the economics of whisky in Canada, and why and how it shapes production on a broader scale – from volume produced, to what ultimately ends up in a bottle – was helpfully explained in layman’s terms. As a citizen of Canada’s southern neighbor, I also enjoyed discovering the interesting interplay between Canadian whisky and American whiskey, especially around several key historical moments in time (wars, Prohibition). It makes sense given proximity and our own country’s complicated history with alcohol, but this wasn’t a story I previously knew. Overall, Canadian Whisky: The New Portable Expert offers a discerning look at Canadian whiskey, albeit perhaps not a critical or neutral one. And, at least for me, this is not a bad thing. As someone who admittedly has not had extensive exposure to Canadian whisky, I got what I hoped for from this book: interesting historical intricacies of what Canadian whisky was and what influenced where it is today, and expert insights on a variety of bottles that might pique my interest further. While there is a linear narrative throughout, this book does well leafed through and read piecemeal, depending on what one is interested in learning about. It’s not quite sweeping nonfiction, nor is it a dry reference book — it’s an appropriate hybrid of sorts. I also enjoyed de Kergommeaux’s tasting notes peppered throughout the book. Given his wealth of knowledge on the topic and such an advanced and experienced palate, I can see myself picking it back up from time to time to compare notes, so to speak, or gifting a copy to a fellow whiskey enthusiast.