Sourced, A Wee Dram: Scotland’s Whisky Distilleries.

James Mortimer. Loch Lomond Publishing, £25.

Books on Scotch whisky in all its aspects are a growth industry at the moment, with many new titles covering not just whiskies but distilleries and every other aspect of the vast and growing enterprise.

However, every now and again a book comes along that really kittles the fancy and one of these is Sourced, A Wee Dram: Scotland’s Whisky Distilleries. Basically, it is a collection of full-page colour photographs of all – or almost all – Scottish distilleries, with a short informative caption plus full address, postcode, phone number and website or email address.

In addition, there’s a brief preface plus pictures and pen portraits of Scotland’s major cities, most of which – ironically – are distillery-free, although some have the odd new boutique gin distillery.

However, what sets this book apart is the photography by the book’s creator, Monifieth-born James Mortimer, who travelled the length and breadth of Scotland to obtain pictures that are in many instances absolutely outstanding.

To be blunt, not all distilleries are architectural marvels – and in some instances they are drab and ugly. Yet he has a shrewd photographer’s eye and has managed to make the most unprepossessing of distilleries look, if not beautiful, at least far less an ugly duckling than it is. That many of the photos were shot in the depths of winter, under wintry skies and with scant light, is a tribute to Mr Mortimer’s skill behind the lens.

All in all, it will hold pride of place in my library of whisky books. And it would be a worthy addition to any whisky enthusiast’s Christmas list.