sources and resources to learn about spirits

Welcome to Spiritsfully Resources section, a curated list of the tools and websites I strongly recommend for understanding alcoholic beverages making from other perspectives than Spiritsfully's.

You'll find recommendation in that order: BOOKS, GENERALIST WEBSITES, SPECIALIZED WEBSITES, SOCIAL NETWORKS, MAGAZINES, PODCASTS. Have a good scrolling down!
Download the resource guide for the full list of resources. Or scroll down below.
Cheers!

my FAVORITE BOOKS

deep dive books* (the core of the bookshelf)

Alcools.
André Dominé.
Published by HF Ullmann Editions, 2016
-> It's a bit old fashioned (the style of picture or the brand mentioned) but every category is covered in depth.
Proof. The science of Booze. Adam Rogers.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014.
-> This book looks at alcohol from a scientific point of view, from yeast to the mechanism behind hangover. It's harduous but you'll have a better idea of what you are talking about afterwards.
Distilling knowledge.
Dave Broom.
WSET, 2013
-> Can't find this book in retail as it comes (came?) with the WSET Diploma. But if you happen to, it's a great overview of each category.
The Drunken Botanist.
Amy Stewart.
Published by the Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2013
-> This book goes through alcohol via the potential base material, from anis to banana to dill to coffee. Easy and joyful to read. Some nice cocktail recipes too. Many botanical explanations.
A visual Guide to Drink.
Ben Gison and Patrick Mulligan.
Published by Penguin, 2015.
-> As the title suggests, it is all about infographics. Very entertaining and another way to learn about alcohol.
Spirituous Journey
Jared Brown and Anastasia Miller
-> Because it worths diving into the history of alcohol to understand why we drink what we drink today.
Alcohol : an History.
Rod Phillips.
Published by The University of North Carolina Press, 2014
-> This long read contextualized our (western world) relationship to alcohol. From history to sociology.
Distilled knowledge.
Brian Hoefling.
Published by Abbeville Press Publisher, 2016.
-> This book looks at alcohol from a scientific point of view, from yeast to the mechanism behind hangover. It's harduous but you'll have a better idea of what you are talking about afterwards.
The Art of Distilling
Bill Owen, et al.
Published by the American Distilling Institute, 2019
-> Because it explains distillation with a lot of pictures and this is very useful.

OTHER BOOKS YOU WILL ENJOY READING!

Craft Spirit World.
Emily Miles.
Published by Dog n Bone, 2015
-> A cool short intro, interesting point of view on craft and many recipes.
A short history of drunkenness
Mark Forsythe
Published by Penguin, 2018
-> A very entertaining book about alcohol from unusual perspective.
Craft Spirits.
Eric Grossman.
Published by DK, 2016
-> A cool short intro, interesting point of view on craft and many recipes.
The School of Sophisticated Drinking
Beate Lindemann
-> A very entertaining book about each category. Many unheard stories about vodka or tequila.
Distilled. 
Joel Harrison & Neil Ridley. Published by Mitchell Beazley, 2014.
-> A cool short intro, more details about each category and many recipes.

MY FAVORITE WEBSITES

generalist websites

Liquor

Another great website, the online brainchild of a US magazine. They recently added great "less than 60 seconds" youtube videos that review each category, fast and easy.
Distiller

Clear and easy to browse, good design, easy access educational texts never despising never snob, and many spirits recommendations. They are connoisseurs based in Seattle,

MY FAVORITE SOCIAL NETWORKS

Spiritsfully hasn't found an account to follow and learn about spirits in a systematical manner yet (except Spiritsfully’s account thanks to flashcards series which are published every Wednesday and Saturday, but this is not the point of this paragraph.) 
Did you? Please tell me. It seems it is all about brands or cocktail. Even Liquor.com is all about cocktail. So let's skip instagram for the moment. Or if you really want to go in that direction, just read that post.
Pinterest is still the best social media when you want to learn. Check Spiritsfully's account to see who to follow. You'll also find a collection of infographics, a different way to learn.
Twitter is great to stay on top of trade news. Here you'll find a blog post with who to follow on Twitter if you are a fine liquor lovers.
You Tube is definitely a place to learn, I already mentionned the great videos you'll find on the website of Liquor.com, some other channel are interesting to follow just like Grain d'ivresse. (if you understand French).
Otherwise, it's again depending on the category of spirits. It requires some searching time. But check that one below on Tequila.... It worths a text.

MY FAVORITE magazines

Spirits business

English language
Worldwide looking with many news from the industry, from the trade (off and on) but reviews to take with precautions : the magazine also organizes  awards, which they make money from (is this their business model?) and review afterwards.
 
Drink business

English language
See above but this website is not limited to spirits as it also includes beer, wine.

Whiskie magazine & spirits magazine by la maison du whiskie

English and French language
Worldwide looking with many news from the industry, from the trade (off and on) but reviews to take with precautions : the magazines are published by the great Paris based spirits distributor LMDW, so you may find good reviews about their new products. Regularly interesting lengthy articles about new trends and revived spirits.

IWSR

English language.
The magazine of the eponymous research institute is not very sexy but provides a wide knowledge about the current state of the industry. Not limited to spirits.

Mixology magazine

German and English language
Because Tale of the cocktail is not everything

MY FAVORITE PODCASTS

Same as with instagram, the podcast world is trusted by cocktails and bartender afficionados. Many are fantastic. such as Bartender at Large or the Mixology talk podcast or Bartender Journey or Speaking easy podcast or At the Bar.

Another two (outside of the bartender and cocktail world)
I'm thirsty 
I'm Thirsty is a full review and alcohol history podcast. Dave and John sit down to taste the latest out there while telling everyone willing to listen all about the history of the alcohol that they review. Though they might not have a certificate to consider themselves experts, these two know a thing or two about drinking. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a nice beverage as Dave and John introduce you to the wonderful world of spirits. A monthly podcast

&

The spirit guide Society.
For over seven years, the biggest spirit brands in the world have been coming into our bars to teach whiskey, rum, tequila and mezcal enthusiasts about the drinks that they love. Now, we’re happy to bring that same level of knowledge and fun to you online as a podcast! Every Tuesday and Friday, Pedro Shanahan will be joined in front of a live audience by the people who know these alcohol brands the best, the ones who make it.

But spiritsfully does prefer the one it concocted with Artisan Bar Camp. If you understand German, this is a must hear!

credits and thank you

The wonderful illustrations from the agave based spirits related posts are all from Ana Briceño : check her fantastic work HERE
*I have bought every book recommended on this page (no gifts or affiliate link). They have been instrumental or crucial for me I hope they will be for you.