Whiskey Entrepreneur, Charles Maclean

He was founding editor of Whisky Magazine, and since 1995 has been Contributing Editor of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society's Newsletter (where he also chairs the Nosing Panel and writes the tasting notes). He is whisky correspondent of Scottish Field, British Editor of Whisky (Russia), and Consultant Editor to Fine Expressions (London). In addition he regularly contributes to magazines in Britain, the Netherlands, the U.S. and Canada.

He was trained in 'the sensory evaluation of potable spirits' by the Scotch Whisky Research Institute in 1992 and has presented numerous tastings and talks in the U.K. and abroad for whisky companies, corporations, universities and clubs, and on radio and TV. He is a member of the Judging Panel (Spirits) of the International Wines&Spirits Competition, and was runner-up as 'Communicator of the Year' in the 2003 IWSC Awards.

He acts as a consultant to the whisky industry on a variety of matters, and over the past 20 years has written promotional materials for all the leading companies and brands. He is also Whisky Consultant to Bonhams Auctioneers.

He was elected a Keeper of the Quaich, the industry's highest accolade, in 1992 for 'his services to Scotch over many years'.

He holds degrees in Art History (St Andrews) and Law (Dundee), is a Writer to Her Majesty's Signet, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, a Visiting Lecturer to the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, an Honorary Fellow of Massey College, University of Toronto and of Champlain College, University of Trent, a Councilor of the Clan Maclean and a member of the Society of Authors.

Charles MacLean is also a leading whisky writer. Having sacrificed a career in the law, he began to write about scotch in 1981 Since then whose he has published eight books to date, including the standard work on whisky brands, Scotch Whisky and the leading book on its subject, Malt Whisky, both of which were short-listed for Glenfiddich Awards.

Some of his leading whisky titles are

Maclean's Miscellany of Whisky
Pub: Little Books, 2004

A collection of investigations into abstruse aspects of whisky production, presentation and appreciation, including: worm tubs, barley varieties, maltings, bottles, corks and capsules, colour, aroma, drunkenness...

Scotch whisky : A Liquid History
Pub: Cassell, 2003

The book weaves the many and varied threads of the story of Scotch whisky into a coherent whole. Starting with the first written reference to distilling in Scotland in 1494,the tale unfolds decade by decade over five centuries, tracing the development of the drink from cottage craft to national industry. The story is lively and colourful, sometimes romantic and sometimes tragic, invariably pragmatic.

Wine&Spirits Book of the Year 2005
James Beard Foundation Awards

Short listed Drinks Book of the Year
Andre Simon Awards 2003

Malt Whisky
Pub: Mitchell Beazley, 1997 (Rep. 2002)

The leading book on its subject, beautifully illustrated, embraces the history, raw materials, production, maturation and sensory evaluation of malt whisky. It includes a directory of all the malt whisky distilleries operating since World War II, with brief tasting notes, and a guide to buying and enjoying the world's best spirit.

Shortlisted Drinks Book of the Year, Glenfiddich Awards 1998
Winner Best Illustrated Book, Glenfiddich Awards 1998.

Review

"MacLean's deft, well-informed, historically rich writing would be enough to make the book a worthwhile purchase; what makes it very nearly irresistible are the magnificent black and white and sepia photographs taken by Jason Lowe."

Evening Standard

"Charles MacLean is a world authority on malt whisky."

Daily Telegraph

The Pocket Guide to Scotch Whisky
Pub: Mitchell Beazley, 1992 (Rep. 1997)

An A-Z directory of malt, grain, blended and liqueur Scotch whiskies, with notes on the history and idiosyncrasies of each, the licensee to the distillery or brand and its owner. Preliminary sections introduce the history of whisky, the production of malt, grain and blended whisky, regional differences, appreciation and tasting procedure, and a note on the industry today.

Whisky Tales

Wide-ranging in its scope, yet served up in easily digestible portions, liberally spiced with quirky and unusual facts and figures, Whisky Tales is perfect weekend reading for all lovers of a dram or two, a book that should be consumed at leisure, in appreciative sips.