Review of America’s Spirit: A History of Bourbon, the People Who Pioneered It and Its Rise from the Ashes of Prohibition, Flavor Basics, and Classic Cocktail Recipes

 

I’ve known Robert Mohr for several years. We recently met face-to-face at the Heartland Whiskey Competition in Indianapolis, where we served on the judging panel. Robert asked me if I’d be interested in reviewing his book, America’s Spirit: A History of Bourbon, the People Who Pioneered It and Its Rise from the Ashes of Prohibition, Flavor Basics, and Classic Cocktail Recipes. 

 

Yeah, that’s a mouthful, but it gives you an idea as to what to expect. And, frankly, that’s how Robert’s mind works.

 

If you’ve never heard of Robert, he has a finance background, is a CPA, and, more relevant, he’s the Managing Director of the School of Wine and Spirits as well as an instructor at Moonshine University in Louisville, Kentucky. He holds a Level 3 WSET Certification in Wine and Spirits and is a WSG Certified Spirits Specialist. In a nutshell, he’s a smart guy. He’s also a storyteller. Hence the book.

 

America’s Spirit covers everything you’d ever want to know about Bourbon, from its European origins, American innovations, the famous names behind its development and continued expansion (both men and women), and the science behind its distillation.

 

From there, Robert discusses Bourbon-based cocktails, including their impact on American culture, innovations in mixology (such as the advent of smoked cocktails), and a brief introduction to Bourbon and food pairings.

 

Robert explores aspects that many writers often overlook: the influence of Bourbon on cinema, literature, music, and even global politics. While you’re learning about that, America’s Spirit guides you through building your own Bourbon collection, drawing up an itinerary to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and even decorating your Bourbon cave. He also talks about flavor wheels and, unsurprisingly, aroma kits (which the School of Wine & Spirits makes and sells).

 

All of this and more is packed into 178 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, Kindle, and audiobook editions.

 

Robert provided me a copy of it at no cost for my no-strings-attached, honest review. I assume that America’s Spirit is self-published because of various formatting errors. There is also a QR code repeated a few times, inviting you to leave a review on Amazon.com. These are slight distractions that have a minor effect on its readability. 

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Every time I do a book report, it feels weird to use my rating scale. But, consistency is essential (at least it is to me). America’s Spirit won’t take eons to get through; the language is at an everyman’s level, and the print is easy on the eyes. In my opinion, it is something that both the whiskey curious and connoisseurs should find interesting. As such, it takes my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.