One of the strengths if this book is a very pleasing format that uses the subjects themselves as decorative illustrations. A picture here is worth more than a thousand words. The introductory matter is informative and well presented. Unfortunately a glaring error present in a former edition is perpetuated in the current volume. Laphroaig is labeled as a northern highland scotch, when it is clearly labeled and well known as coming from a distillery on the southern coast of Islay. The fact that this mistake appears in another edition makes one wonder whether poor editing or poor research is at root. In all, a nice little volume. However, if you can only get one refernece book on the topic, get Michael Jackson's.