Tom Morton takes us on a journey around the world as he explores the links between spiriats and spirituality in Holy Waters: Searching for the sacred in a glass.
Our Editorial Expert Joanne Owen says, "fans of food writing, travel writing, history and global culture will be satisfyingly intoxicated by this fascinating exploration of connections between spirits and the spiritual."
Released on the 8th November, this book is "is the ideal gift for drinkers and thinkers – an exquisite blend of scintillating story-telling and anthropological adventure that’s as smooth and satisfying as a peated single malt."
To read Joanne's full review, click here to head to the book page.
We also have a competition to win a signed copy of Holy Waters and a Whisky Stones and Glass Set, click here to enter.
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Tom Morton, keen motorcyclist, funeral celebrant and whisky aficionado, takes us on a journey around the globe, exploring the links between famous alcoholic spirits and spirituality.
Waters of life. Distilled spirits of all kinds have borne that name, in various tongues, since time immemorial. Aqua vita. Eau de vie. Uisge Beatha.
Tom Morton has travelled the world in search of the finest drams the planet has to offer. His journeys reveal the links between faith and alcohol, between spirits and the spiritual. From Christianity’s Holy Communion to the temple libations of Japan, through the rum concoctions of Haitian Voodoo to the monastic producers of every liquid from beer to "tonic" wine. And of course Tom’s beloved whisky, brewed in many corners of the world.
Holy Waters is Tom’s journey to the spiritual heart of whisky, sake, rum, Champagne, beer, mead and a variety of wines. With great insight, humour and for the most part sobriety, he traces the links between brewing, winemaking, distilling and worship, from ancient pagan rites to the most modern Trappist technology. He revels in the lore and mysteries of craft production, the elemental, magical love stories, the passionate relationships between human and landscape, grain and pure water, grape and fire. And he does so on a motorcycle which, to his astonishment, runs very well on cask-strength Islay single malt. This book is a celebration of cultures and artisan craft, a book for food and drink, travel and history lovers.
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With thanks to Alfred from BertyBoy123 and Carolyn from The Boozy Bookworm for helping us share the love for Holy Waters. We'd love it is you could head over to their blog to show them some #BookLove and see what they have to say about Holy Waters.
9th: bertyboy123
11th: theboozybookworm
With thanks also to the following consumer review panel members for reading and reviewing this book:
Sarah Noakes - "A fascinating read over a wide range of topics. There's the history of brewing, holy wells, wassailing and voodoo. A great gift for a whisky lover."
Luke Thrower - "A wonderful book for anyone who wants to know what to stock up their bar with, but to also learn some great stories, sit back, relax and take a sip."
Sue Berwick - "I’d recommend Holy Waters to a wide audience of those interested in any or all of the subjects covered. It would make a great gift, accompanied by a bottle or two of the hard stuff mentioned."
Alison Bradbury
Comments (30)
vickie j - 11th December 2022
This sounds really interesting ?Maureen F - 11th December 2022
Tom Morton is such a good writer anyway but as a Highlander, already well versed with the wonder of usige beatha, this book will make fascinating readingMichael O - 9th December 2022
Sounds interesting.Susan B - 7th December 2022
A very different and fascinating book.Richard T - 28th November 2022
Looks like a great read, will add to my wish listLisa C - 27th November 2022
Looks really goodKate M - 27th November 2022
As a child I often questioned my parents about the catholic mass when the priest took wine as the blood of Christ. Interesting bookAndrew S - 26th November 2022
This looks an interesting read.Sarah W - 26th November 2022
My (grown up) son and his girlfriend both love whiskey and reading so this would make a great gift for themRuth T - 26th November 2022
This is on my wish list and my husband also wants to read itSue R - 26th November 2022
My husband works in the brewing industry and would love this book!Hannah B - 24th November 2022
Looking forward to reading this.stuart w - 23rd November 2022
Looks greatSHARON JAYNE B - 23rd November 2022
Thanks for the chance to win this captivating bookLinda H - 23rd November 2022
This looks a fascinating book.Martine M - 23rd November 2022
Really looking forward to reading this!Linda J - 22nd November 2022
I love whisky and a good book. A perfect combinationLeila B - 19th November 2022
Thanks for sharing, will be a perfect gift to close friend of mine and a great read.Hayley A - 16th November 2022
I love travel writing and I like a drink so this book is double bubble! Brilliant giveawayCarolyn E - 15th November 2022
Love the sound of this. It’s been ages since I put a book on my wishlist, but this is on it !Priscilla S - 13th November 2022
This sounds like a fascinating readfiona w - 13th November 2022
this looks an interesting read, intriqued to know if being drunk helps contact the deadPamela T - 13th November 2022
Not my usual read but sounds fascinatingSheena B - 12th November 2022
Sounds like the author had the perfect job for a while therePippa A - 12th November 2022
This sounds like an interesting take on the social history'travel type genre, definitely interested in reading it.amy S - 12th November 2022
This sounds and looks like a great bookMARIA R - 11th November 2022
Looks a great book to read beside the fire with a little tippleRichard H - 10th November 2022
Always liked an occasional drink so this should make interesting readingLisa D - 9th November 2022
This book looks really interesting and I know a few people who might like to read it.Julia L - 8th November 2022
A wonderful book for my husband a whisky fanLeave A Reply
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