Valentino Zagatti began collecting malts in 1957, and over the years he has built a collection that is beyond belief.  How many bottles has he? It is difficult to say, for it is not noted in the book.  However, with over 550 photos and some photos having 20 or more bottles within them- well, clearly Mr. Zagatti's collection is in the thousands and includes unopened bottles from the late 19th century.

The Best Collection of Malt Scotch Whisky is essentially a photographic and textual overview of this collection.  It's a big book- over 9 inches across and 14 inches tall, and absolutely gorgeous.  The photos are beautiful, and the text (which is in both Italian and English) is elegant and informative, letting you know what you are looking at and interesting factoids thereon. The result is both a work of art and history, and any serious student of scotch whisky would be well advised to acquire this volume.  Nowhere else will you see these malts.  Nowhere.
-Kevin R. Kosar