
Holy Waters
Searching for the sacred in a glass
Tom Morton(Author)
Watkins Publishing
Published on 8. November 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-78678-656-2 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
"A remarkable, fascinating, highly informed and perceptive reflection on the interweaving of alcohol and religion." - Rev Professor Sir Iain Torrance - former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland"An exquisite blend of scintillating story-telling and anthropological adventure that's as smooth and satisfying as a peated single malt." - LoveReading review
More details
Edition
0th New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Watkins Media Limited
Edition type
New edition
Dimensions
Height: 211 mm
Width: 131 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
302 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78678-656-2 (9781786786562)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
11/2022
Watkins Publishing
€9.49
Available for download
Person
Thomas Morton is a Scottish writer, broadcaster, journalist, musician and funeral celebrant. He lives and works mainly in the Shetland Islands. Tom has written several books. His most recent publication was the book he wrote jointly with his son James, Shetland: Cooking on the Edge of the World. He is currently hosting a weekly internet radio show called The Beatcroft Social. He blogs regularly about food, island life and music.