Now Available · Rockridge Press · April 2020

Beginner's Guide to Whiskey Whiskey

Traditions, Types & Tastes of the Ultimate Spirit

From the history of the Whiskey Rebellion to the fine art of nosing a single malt, Sam Green — the first certified Whiskey Sommelier in Southern California — guides you through everything you need to know about the world's most celebrated spirit.

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Industry Praise

What the Experts Are Saying

Whether a beginner or veteran to whisk(e)y there is something for everyone in this guide. Sam has done an excellent job of distilling (pun intended) how whisk(e)y is made into an enjoyable read. Cheers.

Raj Sabharwal Founding Partner, Glass Revolution Imports

A fast and furious guide to all things whisky and whiskey. Get informed with the facts of whiskey―from making to tasting. Your instant guide to becoming a whiskey pro!

Tim Herlihy Former National Brand Ambassador, Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey · Founder, Lost Irish Whiskey

The Beginner's Guide to Whiskey is an absolute must-have book! This book will set you up to be confident in conversation on the world of whiskey. What I love most about this book, outside of its easy-to-follow, easy-to-read content, is that it fits nicely into my jacket breast pocket and I can carry it everywhere. I was recently asked by my company director to make easy, concise definitions of whiskies from around the world and simply explain what the differences in the laws and legalization were. I couldn't have explained it any better than what Mr. Green had written in The Beginner's Guide to Whiskey. I have already purchased 12 copies for my team.

Rick Edwards Former Sr. Master of Whiskey · Former National Ambassador, Stranahan's Colorado Single Malt · Former National Ambassador, The Glenlivet

The Beginners Guide To Whiskey is a fantastic guide to the traditions, types and tastes of Whisk(e)y. Brilliantly written to be an accessible companion for the novice and the expert alike. The graphics used for production and processes make a complex scientific process enjoyable and easier to understand. The recommended brands in each of the Big 5 and the anecdotal stories of some of the key players within these countries, is a fun insight to the individuals who have shaped our business. Grab your current favorite Whisk(e)y and get ready for Sam to keep you interested and ready to try something new and different.

Kirk Gaither In Memoriam Former VP of Sales Southwest, Conecuh Brands
The Book

The Spirit of Whiskey — Distilled in One Essential Guide

Raise a glass to whiskey with this essential beginner’s guide!

The Big 5 + CraftScotch, Irish, American, Canadian, Japanese — plus a full chapter on Craft Whiskey, covered in depth.
Bartender Tips & Tasting NotesLearn to recognise smoke, malt, fruit and more — with Sam's sommelier method for nosing and tasting.
Grain to GlassMalting, mashing, fermentation, distillation, aging, blending and bottling — all clearly demystified.
Cocktail Recipes & Food PairingClassic recipes including the Old Fashioned and Manhattan, plus food pairing ideas for every style.

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Signed Copy — $19.99 Standard Copy — $15.99
"Sam does a good job of writing at a level where things are easy to understand without treating the reader like an idiot. He even managed to teach me a new way to explain Bourbon with his ABC's of Bourbon — I've never seen it put together like that but it made a ton of sense."
— WhiskeyFellow · Verified Amazon Review · April 2020
144Pages
6Spirit Styles
12Chapters
128+Distilleries
"It will make you wanna try some whiskey. Kudos to the author. An absolute must-have book for any whiskey fan."
— Amazon Customer · 5-Star Verified Review · May 2020
Chapter by Chapter

What's Inside

01
The History of Whiskey
From 11th-century monks in Scotland and Ireland through the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, Prohibition, and Repeal Day — December 5, 1933.
02
Putting Whiskey on the Map
The six Scotch regions, bourbon country, Irish counties, Japan's whisky landscape — because where it's made matters as much as how.
03–04
How Whiskey Is Made
Grains, malting, mashing and fermentation through to distillation, aging, blending and bottling — the complete journey from field to glass.
05–10
The Big 5 + Craft Whiskey
Deep dives into Scotch, Irish, American, Canadian, Japanese and Craft whiskies — with recommended bottles at inexpensive, affordable and premium price points.
11
How to Drink & Taste
Nose it, taste it, understand it. Sam's sommelier method for developing your palate — neat, on the rocks, with a splash — plus cocktail recipes.
12
How to Pair Whiskey
Food pairings for every style — from Islay peat with dark chocolate to bourbon with barbecue — plus how to host a whiskey tasting party. Sláinte!
Reader Reviews

What Readers Are Saying

Perfect Book for the Whiskey Novice
This one completely strikes the appropriate tone for someone fairly new to the exploration of whiskey. The author has a voice and a viewpoint, sharing insights based on his own experiences. The whiskey novice will end up with a solid knowledge that should give them the confidence to accelerate their exploration.
Elton Billings Verified PurchaseApril 10, 2020 · Paperback
Quite Basic but Infectiously Enthusiastic
It hits just the right level of depth for an introductory volume. Handy short tables at the end of each section list inexpensive, moderate, and expensive whiskeys with tasting notes. You can tell the author is pretty young — partly because he tells you, and partly because his enthusiasm is obvious and infectious.
Jeddy 3 Amazon VineApril 17, 2020 · Paperback
A Brilliant Big-Picture Overview
Sam Green presents an all-encompassing, easy to digest, highly informative guide while still being novice-accessible. What Sam does so succinctly is what I've been trying to teach my bar guests for years — he does it better than I have. An absolute must-have for any whiskey fan.
Amazon Customer Verified PurchaseMay 23, 2020 · Paperback
Sam Green, author of Beginner's Guide to Whiskey
Bourbon Steward 2nd Degree Whiskey Sommelier Author
About the Author

Sam Green

Bourbon Steward & Second-Degree Whiskey Sommelier · Los Angeles, CA

Sam Green's journey into the realm of whiskey and spirits started at age 22. His rapid ascent can be traced back to the same reason he entered the spirits industry in the first place: passion for and a bottomless curiosity about whiskey.

Based in Southern California, Sam has dedicated himself to sharing the world of whiskey with anyone willing to raise a glass — leading tastings, writing, and working alongside some of the industry's most respected names.

First in Southern CaliforniaBecame the first certified Whiskey Sommelier in Southern California at age 24
Internationally Recognized ExpertCited as a whiskey subject matter expert by industry professionals and media worldwide
Second-Degree SommelierHolds a second-degree certification from the Whiskey Sommelier program
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