









The Impossible Collection of Whiskey
Description
Whether served neat, on the rocks, or stirred into a cocktail, whiskey is often praised as the finest spirit in the world. On paper it might sound like a simple concoction water and grain, fermented by yeast, then aged in a wood cask but whiskey is about so much more than its physical ingredients. During the middle ages, Europeans called it aqua vitae, or “water of life, a name that speaks to the cultural, social, and historical significance that this spirit holds.
In The Impossible Collection of Whiskey by Assouline, bestselling spirits writer Clay Risen unpacks the history of this storied drink, inviting the reader to tour some of the world most famed distilleries and their finest bottles. From the best Scotch of the Scottish Highlands to Kentucky finest Bourbon, Rise selection of 100 unparalleled whiskeys come from age-old makers as well as trailblazers of the craft distilling movement that has swept across the globe. Here are whiskeys selected not only for their exquisite flavor but also for rarity, age, flavor, and innovation. Bottles from countries with nascent whiskey markets, such as India and the Czech Republic, sit beside old American classics like Pappy Van Winkle and some of the rarest, most coveted bottles on the market. Risen marvels at bottles like Ireland Midleton Very Rare 45 Year Old, the oldest, most expensive Irish whiskey in the world. Together, these 100 bottles comprise a collection of whiskeys so exclusive that no one could ever assemble them all under one roof. A must-have for the library of any true whiskey connoisseur, he Impossible Collection of Whiskeyis a carefully crafted homage to a liquor long revered as the œwater of life.
Presented in a wrought-iron trimmed wood box modelled after an authentic whiskey barrel, this addition to Assouline bestselling Impossible Collection may very well be its most outstanding volume published to date.
Complimentary white gloves and signature canvas tote bag are included with each purchase from Assouline's Ultimate Collection
- 212 pages
- over 150 illustrations
- English language
- Released in October 2020
- W 17.9 x L 20 x D 3.5 in
- Handcrafted limited edition in a luxury wooden box
Explore more titles from the Assouline book collection, where luxury, design, and storytelling converge.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Clay Risen is a deputy editor at The New York Times and one of the country’s leading authorities on whiskey and other spirits. He is the author of Single Malt: A Guide to the Whiskies of Scotland and American Whiskey, Bourbon and Rye: A Guide to the Nation’s Favorite Spirit, which has sold more than 100,000 copies through two editions. Risen writes about spirits for The New York Times and other national publications, and he is a panelist for the renowned Ultimate Spirit Challenge. Raised in Nashville, Tennessee, he lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two children.
About Assouline
The largest collection of Assouline books is now available at Spacio. More than just books, these meticulously crafted volumes are celebrations of art, culture, fashion, and lifestyle. Designed to be treasured heirlooms and captivating focal points, Assouline books are the ultimate statement pieces for luxury homes, offices, and collectors.
Discover a curated selection of limited editions and a wide range of titles spanning the worlds of fashion, travel, sports, art, culture, movies, and jewellery. Each Assouline book is a testament to unparalleled quality, featuring iconic brands, exclusive photography, engaging narratives, and superior craftsmanship, making them the ultimate statement pieces for the discerning connoisseur.

Please share your details, and we’ll get back to you shortly.