Short Synopsis
Discover the underdog story of the improbable rise of small-batch distilling in America. This bracingly written, fast-paced work traces the relationship of Americans to spirits such as bourbon, scotch, vodka, gin, and rum.

Full Synopsis
Discover the underdog story of the improbable rise of small-batch distilling in America. This bracingly written, fast-paced work traces the relationship of Americans to spirits such as bourbon, scotch, vodka, gin, and rum. And it presents the full story of a plucky band of entrepreneurs who disrupted the nation's conception of how those libations could appear and taste—and how much they could cost. Tom Acitelli weaves the unlikely triumph of the small-batch distilling movement into other major trends, including a neo-Prohibitionism that nearly croaked the entire thing, America's re-embrace of cocktails, and the twin rises of craft beer and fine wine. He also expertly delves into the controversies currently wracking American spirits, ones that threaten to tank the movement at the moment of what should be its greatest triumph.

“Tom Acitelli cuts through the myths and outright falsehoods about craft distilling with a compelling, comprehensive account of the industry’s earliest days, and its eventual emergence as a revolutionary force in America’s changing culinary tastes.” ---Clay Risen, author of American Whiskey, Bourbon & Rye

"It’s a grand tale, full of dogged reporting and colorful detail. Warning: this book will make you very, very thirsty.” ---Wayne Curtis, author of And a Bottle of Rum

"Meticulously researched, Whiskey Business is an educational and entertaining book that should satisfy both the academic and casual interests of readers and whiskey fans.” ---Chris Chamberlain, author of The Southern Foodie

"There are wonderful spirits to enjoy and fascinating stories to be told; and Tom Acitelli is the one to guide us.” ---Philip Greene, bestselling author of To Have and Have Another—A Hemingway Cocktail Companion