Prologue: A Whiskey Book Without a Whiskey Story

Part 1: Islay Whiskey

Steel Young, Ardbeg 14
The new legend of Rockin' Dal, Brooklady 26
White Horse Whiskey, Lagavulin 38

Part 2 Speyside Whiskey

Single Malt Masterpiece, Glenfiddich 50
Glenfarclas 64, the first 'live' whiskey
The Weight of the Article 'The', Glenlivet 76
Glen Grant 86, a whisky born from Italian passion
The King of Sherry Cask Whiskeys, Macallan 94

3-part blended whiskey

Royal Salute 104, a salute to the Queen
The King of Cocktails, Martini 114
Rum and Gin: Unsung Heroes of Modern Western History 122
The Phoenix-Like Vitality of Irish Whiskey 134

Part 4 Japanese Whiskey

Hokuriku Whisky Journey 150
A Lost Legend, Karuizawa 160
The Resurrection of a Legend, Comoros 172
The Origin of Japanese Whiskey: Yamazaki 184
Love Transcending Borders and Time, Yoichi 194
Awamori and Okinawan Whiskey 204
Takamine 214, a whiskey brewed with yeast
Red Gate Distillery, Alembic 224

Part 5 American Whiskey

Tears of Non-Mainstream Immigrants, Bourbon 234
The Unbound Spirit, Jim Beam 242
A Taste of Southern American Culture, Buffalo Trace 254
The Essence of Mount Vernon, George Washington Rye Whiskey 264
A Drop That Completes Jazz: View Carré 276

Epilogue: Curiosity, the driving force of my life

Significance of publication

▣ Alcohol, the coexistence of images of 'joy and sadness', 'happiness and despair'

It may be a cliché, but alcohol has been an indispensable element in human history.
According to one study, the social cost of drinking amounts to approximately 15 trillion won.
Alcohol has always been at the center of all incidents, big or small, and has never been left out of life's 'joys and sorrows'.
Isn't alcohol the only thing in the world where such ironic images as 'joy and sadness' and 'happiness and despair' coexist?

▣ Whiskey, the only alcoholic beverage that can be enjoyed 'lightly', 'tastyly', 'enjoyably', and 'variously'

The biggest recent change in alcohol is the expansion of the whiskey market.
In the industrial age, alcohol provided a temporary respite from the hardships of labor and provided solace in the bleak political realities.
On the other hand, whiskey, which was called 'Yangju', was often associated with a 'decadent' image of luxury or dark 'nightlife'.
However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, whiskey has become central to the 'home drinking' culture, sparking a new trend.
Because whiskey is the most ideal for enjoying ‘lightly’, ‘tastyly’, ‘enjoyably’, and ‘variously’.

▣ What knowledge is needed to enjoy whiskey?

That's why so many people are looking for books about whiskey.
To meet these demands, various projects and foreign translations are being published.
It offers a wide range of information, from practical tips to expert advice to help you make a purchase.
However, it is filled with a lot of information that you have to memorize, starting with Western expressions for taste and aroma that are difficult to understand at first glance.
How much will this information help you enjoy whiskey?

▣ To enjoy whiskey in a special way, understanding the cultural background is a must.

This book is not a whiskey travel guide or a whiskey information book that is widely available on the market.
There is no information on whiskey making methods, tastings, or year-by-year characteristics.
However, it contains cultural backgrounds on history, politics, humanities, and geography centered around whiskey.
Just as foreigners cannot understand the taste and aroma of fermented skate, we also have a hard time understanding the peat aroma of whiskey, which is like hospital disinfectant.
This is because taste and flavor have been created and developed within a cultural background.
"Whiskey, Still Young" is a story that focuses on the cultural background of whiskey.
I hope that this book will make your time enjoying whiskey more special and happy.

Features of this book

▣ Whiskey stories from local pubs as well as whiskey distilleries

Author Park Byeong-jin visited various distilleries around the world to understand the cultural background of whiskey.
What Park Byeong-jin noticed was not their unique whiskey-making technology, but their long-standing 'story'.
So whenever I visit a distillery, I stop by a local pub and chat about whiskey with the townspeople.
The stories of those who grew up in a long pub culture with whiskey have much to teach us.

▣ Whiskey makers are like seekers

The history of whiskey is deeply connected to monasteries.
So, 'whiskey' means 'drop of God'.
Many whiskey distilleries are located deep in mountain valleys.
Although it is a world-renowned brand, it quietly produces whiskey like a seeker deep in the mountains.
It contains the story of people who make whiskey in a simple way, without even caring about fame or anything like that.


▣ Whiskey also has its own path to innovation.

Author Park Byeong-jin, who has worked as an executive and CEO in domestic and international companies, has always led the way to innovation.
As a CEO, he kept a close eye on the path of innovation in whiskey distilleries.
When it comes to whiskey, a classic image comes to mind first.
However, global brands are pursuing a path of continuous innovation along with bold investments.
Park Byeong-jin coldly criticized the situation.

Interesting content

▣ Steel Young from Ardbeg's long-term project

In 1998, Ardbeg began a long-term project aimed at gaining popularity by 2008.
The whiskey distilled in 1998 was aged until 2004 to release the six-year-old whiskey 'Very Young'.
Two years later, the same original wine was further aged to create 'Still Young', then a year later, 'Almost There', and finally in 2008, 'Ardbeg Renaissance' was released.
Beyond being a simple commercial product lineup, the story it contains is symbolic.
(Page 21)

▣ Staff photo on whiskey label

If you visit the Bruichladdich Distillery on the Isle of Islay in Scotland, you can buy some very special whisky.
It is a single cask whisky sold only to visitors, and the label features a photo of the staff.
We created this tribute whiskey to express our gratitude and respect for our employees.
The photo of the 74th selected employee is currently displayed.
It is a touching glimpse into the heart with which they make whiskey.
(Page 34)

▣ Funeral held at the distillery

For whiskey lovers, just hearing the name Ardbeg makes their hearts flutter.
Jim McKelman, who drives a taxi on Islay, had fathers and grandfathers who worked at the Ardbeg distillery.
My father passed away a few years ago and we held his funeral at the Ardbeg Distillery.
And all the whiskey used at the funeral was provided by Ardbeg.
It was a courtesy to Jim's family who worked at the distillery.
Jim was very proud of this fact.
(Page 20)

▣ Karuizawa Whisky, which conquered the world as soon as it closed

Until the mid-20th century, Japan was on the outskirts of the whiskey world.
Karuizawa Whiskey did not have any whiskey stars like Suntory or Nikka, but they did strive to create an elegant whiskey.
However, it failed to overcome management difficulties and was sold to or merged with several companies.
Despite these difficulties, their dream of creating the ideal whiskey did not waver.
In the year that the decision was made to close the business, Karuizawa Whisky took first place at the IWSC, the world's leading whisky competition.
(Page 164)