A central drafting guardrail: traceability and distinctiveness can support a story of origin without implying universal quality superiority.
The conclusion to the Waterford tasting distinguishes evidence of difference and identity from evaluative ranking.
Arnold concludes that terroir may produce unique, concentrated, or rediscovered flavor differences, but it cannot provide a map to an objectively best whiskey. Place-specific provenance and personal preference answer different questions.
PDF sheet 280; printed p. 274
PDF sheet 280; printed p. 274
Chapter 19 — At Last, a Sip
Freshly checked 2026-09-28 against supplied PDF 280 / printed 274 using enlarged rendered pages and sequential reading. Verification establishes faithful source representation, not independent validation of every author claim.
Evidence
Arnold concludes that terroir may produce unique, concentrated, or rediscovered flavor differences, but it cannot provide a map to an objectively best whiskey. Place-specific provenance and personal preference answer different questions.
Locator and context
PDF sheet 280; printed p. 274; end PDF sheet 280; printed p. 274. The conclusion to the Waterford tasting distinguishes evidence of difference and identity from evaluative ranking.
Assessment
A central drafting guardrail: traceability and distinctiveness can support a story of origin without implying universal quality superiority.
Fresh verification
Freshly checked 2026-09-28 against supplied PDF 280 / printed 274 using enlarged rendered pages and sequential reading. Verification establishes faithful source representation, not independent validation of every author claim.