Book Review: Bourbon Land
Bourbon is often said to be America’s native spirit. Bourbon can appeal to a wide spectrum of individuals who all come via different routes. Are enthusiasts drawn to bourbon because of geographic proximity to the heartland of bourbon? Perhaps a bourbon lover enjoys the Kentucky chew because the affinity was passed down through the family? Is the attraction to bourbon the result of a brilliant marketing campaign that led to a new experience based on curiosity? In an era of the slow-food movement, Chef Edward Lee seeks to entice through the route of cuisine. Bourbon is often looked at as simply a beverage. Lee’s Bourbon Land: A Spirited Love Letter to My Old Kentucky Whiskey targets a crowd that has not necessarily given a lot of prior thought to the beauty of bourbon as a beverage. Lee has penned a book that details the splendor of bourbon through the lens of a fine ingredient for cooking. Readers of Bourbon Land do not necessarily come across the book due to a pre-existing interest in bourbon, but more so due to their appreciation of the culinary arts and the acclaim of Chef Edward Lee.
To best appreciate Bourbon Land, it’s essential to understand the book for what it is and who it intends as its target audience. There are numerous authors who have a following due to their relationship with distilled spirits. Those who read books authored by the likes of Chuck Cowdery, Fred Minnick, and Clay Risen are potentially well-versed in the world of whiskey prior to reading. Those who find their way to Bourbon Land do not necessarily have a pre-existing relationship with the intricacies of bourbon. The readers of Bourbon Land are more likely to encounter the book due to their knowledge of Chef Edward Lee and his cuisine.
The value in Bourbon Land is painting a picture of bourbon that is far more colorful than many have previously considered. Lee’s book is an excellent tool for generating new interest in bourbon, rather than stoking the flames of those with existing passion. This distinction is important as Lee covers a multitude of thought-provoking details in the complex process that brings bourbon from ground to glass with beautiful language, but without a level of detail that many established enthusiasts might be seeking. If an existing enthusiast is hunting for in-depth discussion on the finer points of bourbon production, they’ll need to look elsewhere. However, Lee’s book is a fantastic introduction to those who are contemplating the complexity of bourbon for the first time. Lee writes in a manner that seeks to generate interest and admiration for a spirit where it might not have existed before.
Bourbon Land is not a cookbook. However, Lee includes 50 recipes that utilize bourbon as an ingredient. In addition to providing details on the intricacies of bourbon production, Lee details the intricacies of bourbon as a cooking ingredient. Rather than randomly reaching for a bourbon to include in a recipe, Lee breaks down the best choices and factors to consider. Depending on the nature of the dish, Lee recommends styles of bourbon. Is it worth using expensive bourbon? Lee suggests using quite affordable bourbons as the delicate differences in bourbons are lost in the process of cooking, and rather than focusing on price, Lee suggests focusing on mash bill and proof. Lee also provides guidance on how to safely cook with bourbon, rather than approaching in a manner that might lead to the loss of facial hair.
For those who have a well-established knowledge base regarding bourbon, Lee does not present a lot of information that is new. Bourbon Land is indeed a love letter to bourbon that builds admiration and appreciation. For those who are culinary enthusiasts rather than whiskey enthusiasts, Lee does a fantastic job of presenting information in an accurate and entertaining manner. Bourbon Land is effective at attracting culinary enthusiasts and ushering the transformation to a bourbon enthusiast. For those who have come to bourbon by way of cuisine, welcome.
A- / $26 [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
The post Book Review: Bourbon Land appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider’s Guide to Good Drinking.