I thought this one was too rambling and the prose style not at all up to Banks' ordinary standard. A disappointment (but I would have loved to accompany Iain on the trips!) ;) ( )

I don't usually read non-fiction for pleasure, but "Raw Spirit" is not only one of my favorite non-fiction books, but one of the best books I've read in a long time, period.

The book is as much an autobiography as anything else, as in the process of exploring all things whiskey, Banks shares little gems about so many other topics. The book is littered with observations about Scotland, driving, Science Fiction, and the start of the war we still find ourselves dealing with over five years later. Think of it as a whiskey-themed stream of consciousness with notes of politics and storytelling. Scotland itself is the most important component, just as the water that feeds a distillery determines the character of the whiskey produced.

I look forward to reading more from Banks very soon. I borrowed "Raw Spirit" from the Stornoway library, so I also look forward to picking up my own copy of this book, as I expect it will be a well-thumbed reference as we explore Scotland in the next few years ( )

Well, it's a romp, isn't it. But, Iain, an index would have been nice, as I bring home a bottle of this or that, read it up in Michael Jackson, then think "what did Mr Banks have to say about it". Well, I don't have twenty minutes to spare to find it... Sorry, I know this isn't a dry old reference book, but we could all have been helped on the journey a little more than we are!
End of whinge. Actually, IMB sounds like cracking company. ( )

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/4... ( )

Iain Banks admits that he was commissioned to write this book, paid to drive around Scotland and sample the great variety of single malt whiskys that are available, which is probably why it comes off a bit like a 366 page advertisement. But don't let that put you off: Banks is a Scotsman, and he loves his country, and he shares that love with the reader. The focus of the book is whisky, but the rich background that fills out the book is the stories of the distillaries, and the people that built and run them, and the communities that they are part of. This is an enjoyable read for anyone who likes travel writing. You may even find yourself hankering for a wee dram when you're done. (I did; I didn't like it. Somehow I feel like I've let him down.) ( )