by Michael R. Veach, © 2013 by The University Press of Kentucky
Book of the Month – November 2020
It’s quite a trick to write a history book that reads like a great novel. Michael Veach has done just that in his book, Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey – an American Heritage.
Michael Veach is a 2006 inductee into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. He’s written and contributed to five books and is the foremost authority on bourbon history. In addition, he is the former Filson Historical Society Bourbon Historian. Michael has provided bourbon history education in many different forms over the years. He owns his own bourbon consulting company, Bourbon Veach LLC.
– Michael Veach Website
Veach takes you on a chronological journey from the early, farm-based distilleries to the Whiskey Rebellion (protests against the 1791 Whiskey Excise Tax), war-time challenges, Prohibition, the highs and lows of the bourbon business, and everything in between. His knack for storytelling and mixing in all the essential facts at the right time makes this a quick and easy read. I did it in two sittings – maybe six hours tops. If you’re not drinking bourbon while reading it, maybe quicker.
He also includes sidebars to provide additional insight into key terms and events, which I found helpful and interesting. And if you want to take your bourbon knowledge and appreciation a step further, be sure to check out the bibliography at the end of the book – the book is worth its price for that section alone.
What Others are Saying
For the most part, the reviews are quite positive and well deserved. You can read them for yourself here and here.
As I read through a few dozen of them, two themes emerged. The first is that the book is not the most comprehensive study of the history of bourbon. To me, that’s a good thing, and it makes for a more casual read. And it was never the book’s intent – the author states as much in the preface. Instead, his goal is to “lead the reader to a better understanding of the bourbon industry” and to “perhaps inspire others to explore further…” I’d say he did what he set out to do.
A few reviewers mentioned the book seems to end sort of abruptly. They make a valid point. The last chapter, Into the Twenty-first Century, is covered in just 11 pages. When I got to the last page, I wondered for a few moments if my book was missing some pages. Maybe he’s planning a sequel. I hope so.
The Bottom Line
Do yourself a favor and buy this book. I’m pretty sure you won’t regret it.You can find it at major retailers, distillery gift shops, and online here.
To learn more about Michael Veach, visit his website here.
