Overview

Do you know what's in your drink? Which grains go into your favorite Bourbon? What makes an artisanal Tequila? Or why molasses-based rum is so different in flavor from its sugarcane juice counterpart? In ​Spirits Distilled, San Francisco World Spirits judge and spirits educator Nat Harry travels the world from Oaxaca and Islay to Okinawa and Louisville to showcase elixirs from the ground up­¾from the raw ingredients and skilled hands that form the backbone of the world’s most popular (and underappreciated) spirits. Filled with maps, photos, infographics, and bottle and cocktail recommendations.

Full Product Details

9781958510018

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""A book that is both as detailed and geeky--informative for fellow experts like me in the industry--as it is approachable and digestible to novices and the average spirits drinker. Helpful graphs and breakdowns keep it fun, while categorizing by ingredient is an approach that reminds us all how important it is to know what goes into a bottle, just as we want to know what's in the food we eat. I particularly love chapters on fruits that go into underrepresented fruit brandy/eaux de vie, alongside the likes of sugar cane, agave, grapes and barley. Nat has blessedly written a drink book we didn't yet have--and needed."" --VIRGINIA MILLER, Dining/Spirits/Cocktail/Wine Writer and Judge, Founder of The Perfect Spot"

"""A book that is both as detailed and geeky as it is approachable and digestible. Helpful graphs and breakdowns keep it fun, while categorizing by ingredient is an approach that reminds us all how important it is to know what goes into a bottle, just as we want to know what's in the food we eat. Nat has blessedly written a drink book we didn't yet have--and needed."" --VIRGINIA MILLER, Dining/Spirits/Cocktail/Wine Writer and Judge, Founder of The Perfect Spot ""Nat Harry advocates for what is good and beautiful in our business. I am certain this book will guide and inspire many readers."" - Thad Vogler, Founder, Bar Agricole; Author, By the Smoke and the Smell ""Nat Harry's ambition is to inform with depth the true nature of how our favorite spirits are made--in Spirits Distilled Harry succeeds. With clear prose and unwavering research Harry demands we rethink what's in our glass, delivering Spirits Distilled as a trusted, must-have resource for the origins of drink."" --DUGGAN McDONNELL, author Drinking the Devil's Acre: A Love Letter From San Francisco & Her Cocktails"

""Great for both the casual drinker and the avid spirits connoisseur, Spirits Distilled is a valuable resource that goes beyond mere reference guide to show us the intricacies of the agriculture, politics, and culture that go into every bottle of gin, vodka, tequila, and beyond. Nat Harry’s genuine curiosity, thorough research, and welcoming approach to sharing their insights makes them the perfect guide for this delicious adventure."" -- EMMA JANZEN, award-winning spirits & cocktail journalist, author of The Bartender's Pantry ""With clear and concise writing, helpful diagrams, and unbounded enthusiasm, Harry provides drinkers with everything they didn't realize they needed to know about the contents of their glass."" -- BETH SQUIRES, Deputy Editor of The Whiskey Wash ""Harry has succeded in writing a unique book that needs to exist. Whether you're an avid enthusiast or someone who works in the spirits of hospitality industry, this is a book that needs to be added to your library."" -- JACOB KIPER, Drinkhacker ""As a chef, I want to know what ingredients I'm putting into my dishes, where they came from, how they were grown or raised. I want to feel and taste that connection to the source. So why not apply that same concept to your evening cocktail? Spirits Distilled is a great farm-to-bottle exploration that will make a helluva hapyp hour to book."" -- GUY FIERI, restaurateur, author, and Emmy Award-winning television presenter ""In Spirits Distilled, Nat Harry expertly uncovers the often overlooked but vital foundation of every great drink -- the fines raw materials. Blending engaging narrative with in-depth reference, this essential volume is a must-have for any spirits enthusiast's library."" -- JEFFREY MORGENTHALER, award-winning bartender and author of The Bar Book

"""Nat Harry's ambition is to inform with depth the true nature of how our favorite spirits are made--in Spirits Distilled Harry succeeds. With clear prose and unwavering research Harry demands we rethink what's in our glass, delivering Spirits Distilled as a trusted, must-have resource for the origins of drink."" --DUGGAN McDONNELL, author Drinking the Devil's Acre: A Love Letter From San Francisco & Her Cocktails ""A book that is both as detailed and geeky--informative for fellow experts like me in the industry--as it is approachable and digestible to novices and the average spirits drinker. Helpful graphs and breakdowns keep it fun, while categorizing by ingredient is an approach that reminds us all how important it is to know what goes into a bottle, just as we want to know what's in the food we eat. I particularly love chapters on fruits that go into underrepresented fruit brandy/eaux de vie, alongside the likes of sugar cane, agave, grapes and barley. Nat has blessedly written a drink book we didn't yet have--and needed."" --VIRGINIA MILLER, Dining/Spirits/Cocktail/Wine Writer and Judge, Founder of The Perfect Spot"

Author Information

NAT HARRY is a cocktail professional with more than 20 years’ experience in the beverage industry. They fell in love with artisan spirits in the course of running the farm to table bar program at Berkeley’s Revival Bar & Kitchen and curating the spirits portfolio as a buyer for fine spirits distributor Cask. Harry has been a judge for the San Francisco World Spirits Competition since 2020 and is currently serving as Director of Education for the US Bartenders’ Guild’s San Francisco chapter.

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