Now Available · Rockridge Press · April 2020

Beginner's Guide to 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

An absolute Must-Have Book. Whether a Seasoned Ambassador, a Brand Supplier, or a dedicated Consumer, this book will set you up to be Confident in Conversation on the World of 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

A fantastic guide to the traditions, types and tastes of Whisk(e)y. Brilliantly written to be accessible to novice and expert alike. Grab your favourite 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 Sales Southwest, Conecuh Brands · Former EVP Sales & Operations, SelvaRey Rum

The Book

The Spirit of Whiskey — Distilled in One Essential Guide

The Beginner's Guide to Whiskey is the best way to become a true aficionado without taking a mixology masterclass. Inside, you'll discover its rich history, the detailed whiskey-making process from grain to glass, the main types of brown liquor, and the fine art of savoring handcrafted whiskey.

Written in a conversational tone that avoids academic jargon, Sam shares insights from his own journey — giving the novice drinker the confidence to explore on their own, while keeping seasoned enthusiasts genuinely engaged. Sláinte!

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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"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

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.

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.

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.

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!

Amazon 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 · Format: 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 · Format: Paperback

A Brilliant Big-Picture Overview

Sam Green presents an all-encompassing, easy to digest, highly informative guide while still being novice-accessible. I've been in the bar business for 20+ years. What Sam does so succinctly is what I've been trying to teach my guests for years — he does it better than I have. An absolute must-have for any whiskey fan.

Amazon Customer Verified PurchaseMay 23, 2020 · Format: Paperback

Author Photo

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.

He hosts private tastings throughout the world and brings his boundless desire to learn and share whiskey with him wherever he goes. His mission has always been to grow his knowledge as quickly as his passion — and to share that journey with everyone willing to raise a glass.

First in Southern CaliforniaBecame the first certified Whiskey Sommelier in Southern California at age 24

Global Private TastingsHosts private whiskey tastings and masterclasses throughout the world

Second-Degree SommelierHolds a second-degree certification from the Whiskey Sommelier programme

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