Any recommendations for books useful for studying for WSET Diploma Unit 4 (Spirits)?
Do you still get Distilling Knowledge (Broom & Grant) free with your course materials?
If so, that’s pretty much all you need. If I remember rightly (it was 2008 I took the Spirits module, so I may be wrong) I got a distinction on the theory, and as far as I remember, did it with that book alone…
I’ll be doing Unit 4 later this year as well, though I sat the Professional Spirits qualification a few years ago and the curriculum is identical - the Distilling Knowledge book that comes with both is ultimately all you’ll need, but if you want to read around as well, I can recommend the following:
‘Spirituous Journey: A History of Drink’ by Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller is a book in two volumes, the first covering the evolution of spirits and the second the evolution of mixed drinks. Both are excellent and entertaining.
‘The Bartender’s Gin Compendium’ by Gaz Regan is, unsurprisingly, all about Gin and covers its history as well as covering popular (as well as some esoteric) brands in addition to a collection of classic and modern cocktails.
Dave Wondrich penned ‘Imbibe!’ which studies the evolution of the cocktail through the lens of Professor Jerry Thomas, author of ‘The Bon Vivant’s Companion’ (the first cocktail guide, written c1862).
Dave Broom has written some very good books on both Whisky and Rum.
Thankfully, it’s much easier (and cheaper) to sample many of the spirits and styles than it is wines. Any decent cocktail bar will have a gantry featuring multiple products within each spirits category. Over the course of a few weeks (and some very drunken evenings), you can become acquainted with the subtle variations between a highland and a lowland tequila, an Islay or a Speyside whisky, a Bourbon and a Tennessee Whiskey, or even a potato-based and a grain-based vodka.