Whisky Dreams is not your average whiskey book, with endless reviews of various whiskies and a selection of (the same old) cocktail recipes – far from it. Easily one of the best whisky cookbooks I have ever read.
Title : Whisky Dreams
Subtitle :Having Your Dram and Eating it Too
Author :Riannon Walsh
Publisher:Mill City Press
Type: Recipes ( in this case mostly food with whisky playing a part in each recipe )
Binding: Softcover, Super Octavo, 203 pages, illus,
Cost: $18.95
REVIEWED BY: Chris Carlsson, Spirits Review.com
Notes: Riannon Walsh is not only a Whiskey expert but was the founder of Whiskies of the World Expo and the designer of the Celtic Malts Glass , along with being a consultant to spirits ventures among many other things including a start up distillery that is in the works . Whisky Dreams is not your average whiskey book, with endless reviews of various whiskies and a selection of (the same old) cocktail recipes – far from it. Packed with a series of delicious recipes for all types of foods, starting with appetizers, progressing to side dishes,on to main dishes then on to desserts with information,tips and suggestions on each chapter on how to select and pair whiskies for each type of food/course. This starts first for Scotch and other Celtic Whiskies and then in the second part of the book “A Salute to The Colonies” sets out in the same progression for Bourbon and Rye Whiskies. There are also short sections on whisky and cheese pairing, how to enjoy whiskey, a couple of glossaries and an invaluable US to UK Measures and Conversions ( so you anglophiles out there can decode your other recipe and cookbooks too) .
Brimming with delectable and delicious recipes (a number of which we tried of course and working on more, the recipes are very well written, easy to follow and not overly complex or calling for overly exotic/expensive/hard to find ingredients, exotic whiskies that no one can get or afford, or skills that require a degree from the CIA (That’s Culinary Institute of America in this case) to execute. Almost all of the recipes can be made by ingredients on hand and a trip to a better grocery store ( and maybe a liquor store now that you finally have an excuse to get that bottle you wanted in the name of a meal and possibly entertaining a guest or two.
Final Thoughts: A must have cookbook for whisky enthusiasts, chefs, cooks, and bon vivants who cook. Definitely one of the best whisky cookbooks I have come across with both delicious and approachable recipes that blend two of my favorite things, whiskey and food. it beats the classic Esquire Hospitality Book in the shade in terms of planning, execution, and enjoyment of both Whisky and Drink
Website:http://www.whisky-dreams.com for retail orders or btol.com for wholesale orders or Riannon@celticmalts.com (direct source of all knowledge and wisdom )