This was sold as a book that would talk about alcohol’s role in spirituality. Instead, it is Tom Morton rambling on a variety of alcohol related subjects, often related to religion but not always. He gives us poems, talks about Pakistani producers’ unknown corporate slogans, waxes on about his childhood and rails against Buckfast. He very rarely goes deep into the links between alcohol and belief. If you like Tom Morton’s voice then this is all well and good, but I found it grating after a while; too jolly, too much laughing at his own jokes. As such I did not finish this book.

A travelogue, a book about the relationship between religion and alcohol, an intriguing book that talks about travels and experiences.
Loved it, made me wish I could visit the different places.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Tom Morton’s book has, to someone not an aficionado of alcohol, a pleasant slightly chaotic quality. The drinks he samples seem a bit random, but none the worse for that, as he himself might say. And his musings on them are witty and down to earth.

The idea of considering the role of alcohol in religion across history and cultures is a great one, and the book is full of fascinating facts. Spirits and the spirit, after all, have long been linked. I would love to hear more about the ‘thin’ places in Unst, of Madge Coutts, the witch or the Death Bird of Colvadale, though.

Alcohol has long been used to preserve herbs and extract plant medicines, used by women for domestic medicine, and monks for their hospitals, and I found those parts of the book particularly fascinating.

There is a personal story woven into the book, and this makes it, for me, much more interesting and accessible. And it urges the reader to find the ‘middle way’ to enjoy the amazing arts demonstrated in drink making, without heading down a destructive path. Like Buddhists, who seem to find a middle way to interpret the Buddha’s advice on avoiding intoxication. He also acknowledges that, for some, that is not possible.

Ceremonies and rituals, including family meals, can be much more memorable with a good glass or wine. And a ‘digestif’ as the French know, helps the temper as well as the digestion.

It’s full of unexpected facts and observations, as well as thoroughly entertaining. I highly recommend it.

I love learning about how people see something differently around the World, and this book hits the mark with Whisky. Learn how it’s used in religions and cultures around the world. You can travel the world without ever leaving home. Grab a dram or two and enjoy while you see how others are enjoying it as well.