"Got Rum?" Magazine
Wood, Whiskey and Wine: A History of Barrels
Margaret Ayala, Publisher of "Got Rum?" magazine, reviews a book called "Wood, Whiskey and Wine: A History of Barrels", written by Henry H. Work, in the April 2015 issue in the section called "The Rum University Library".
Book Review: "Wood, Whiskey and Wine: A History of Barrels", written by Henry H. Work
-Review by Margaret Ayala
Aging is at the core of the final and most profound metamorphosis a distilled spirit can go through. But simply having wooden barrels is not enough to understand -or guarantee- the expected transformations.
In this book, author Henry H. Works takes us on a journey of discovery, through the pragmatic, commercial and organoleptic needs that have shaped the cooperage industry over millennia.
I have to admit that I was expecting this to be yet another book that repeated the same popular facts about barrels, but I was pleasantly surprised by the attention to detail Mr. Work devoted to researching history and uncovering obscure facts. I was fascinated, for example, by the description of job responsibilities of coopers aboard shipping vessels and warships. I also enjoyed reading how coopers, like most other tradesmen, came to allign themselves by creating influencial and powerful associations.
This book is a must read, not only for cellar masters, but also for brand owners and even tour operators who want to shower their guests with colorful yet factual accounts of how modern barrels came to be.
The material is presented in a very easy to follow manner, the language is engaging yet simple, making this a quick and delightful read, from cover to cover.
Margaret Ayala, Publisher
Margaret@GotRum.com