I read this book on my kindle. This is an unsolicited review.

A Distilled Spirit is the debut poetry collection from author Joseph Pinto, the bar fly poet. I loved his dedication: “for you: the wayward, the broken, the pained, the lost, the grieving, the unloved, the lonely, the blackened, the muted, the different, the observant, the rare.” A fitting beginning to observation and rumination he made while sitting in bars, drinking the evenings away. The book is broken up into sections, beginning in the early evening at 7pm and making its way to last call. Pinto sums up humanity, in particular the lost, dark, and sad sides of it, as if watching from the corner, patrons coming and going, sipping scotch and jotting notes or sketches throughout the evening.

There were times I could hear the rise and fall of voices, laughter, muted conversation, bottles clinking, money slapped on the bar, music waxing and waning and a never empty glass. As such, I did not read this in one sitting. Sometimes I read a few pieces, or a whole section, but I felt the need to sober up here and there. The pain, the loneliness, the longing, the spite, the dread, he covers it all. I loved it. I grimaced. I held my heart.

I liked the simple cover and the layout worked great for me. Nice length with just over 160 poems included, not too short or too long for my tastes. I wished, at times, for a break in the darkness, but felt it would have been out of place, had it been included. When I needed a break I took one and came back refreshed and thirsty for more. 4.75/5

I have to admit, this was a tad intense for me. There were different emotions I felt...darkness in the experiences...sadness in the outcome of such experiences. What this book is, is direct. No shame in expression...in a sense 'it is what it is'..in other words...what will be said, must be said as is. Perhaps my review makes no sense, and so, you'll have to dive in yourself and see if you can better understand what I mean. I hope you can because I hope you can appreciate the directness of his pieces.

Joseph Pinto is an amazing writer and I thoroughly enjoy his unique style and how he connects with me in his amazing pieces, I have all his books, he is just that good.

Robert Bradley, Jr., LCSW, LSATP

Family Therapist and multi published author

I adore Joe’s writing. This is the second collection I’ve read from him, and it definitely did not disappoint. There’s something very nostalgic for me picturing Joe sitting at the bar, writing about the passersby and patrons he observes or writing whatever may come when the floodgates of the old lexicon come swinging open after a drink or two, as I used to do the exact same thing.

This collection was divided into four sections: 7pm, 9pm, 11pm and Last Call. Obviously I’m a fan of this chaptering of poetry, if you will, and have used it myself. I love how you can sense the shift in tone in the poetry as it progresses through the sections, with Last Call being quite metaphorical. A few of my favorite pieces were “Ode”, “Gallon of Milk”, “Your Uncanny Way of Knowing”, “Keep to Yourself” and “Gone”, though honestly, there were too many favorites to mention them all here.

I highly recommend this collection to anyone, especially anyone who was ever lonely, anyone who has ever drank alone, or anyone who found the words pouring after their drink was.

The only thing missing is I'm not on the other side of the room watching him do his thing. A Distilled Spirit is a gathering of responses of one man ever in his own skin and trying to prove he wants to know what that means albeit vicarious as an intention. These poems are real life in a watch from the other side of the room and learn something about humankind kind of way. Raw. Truthful. Unapologetic but with such a touch of gentleness it's hard to imagine how he is able to achieve such a balance, such exquisite insight just by showing up and being alive in a place. How does he do it? I'm at the point where I need to rip out all the pages and paste them to my walls. Only so many earmarks can have a job in one book. I will never stop picking it up.

An incredible debut of work! Very heartfelt and deep. It will make you want to pour a drink along with him and feel as deeply as he has. Can’t wait for the next book!

Occasionally I take a step away from my usual genres, because who doesn’t need a break from time to time. This time I took a break and read some poetry, yes you heard me correctly. It’s a form of writing I enjoy once in a while. When I get a chance to read a writer I’ve enjoyed before, I like to see what the author has to share. As with most poems I’ve read, they come from a deep and personal place in the writer’s heart. When I read the back of A Distilled Spirit, and it said “..conversations heard inside and outside my head”. I could get behind that, I’ve had many in my head that I wish I didn’t. It’s not always a good place to hang out. In A Distilled Spirit, Joseph Pinto pulls the curtain back and shows us his dark corners and hidden thoughts, or those conversations bouncing around in his head. Thoughts of disgust at the world, and how communication has broken down. If you take a moment to think and reflect on the words chosen, you will hear the message. Sadness about communication, lies, pain, and sometimes a few too many drinks. The following poems cut me deeply, ‘hand poised on knob’, which is nothing short of brutal. ‘high time’, and yes Joseph, I fully agree, and ‘down the drain’… ouch, that is sad and painful. I don’t claim to be an expert on poetry and many were beyond my understanding. Sometimes the subjects are too personal for anyone other than the author to understand. I strongly feel that if you have ever enjoyed poetry that makes you pause and think, plus cause emotions to come straight to the surface, then you will enjoy what Joseph Pinto is throwing down in A Distilled Spirit.

I found a sense of peace and connection to my own pain, reading the eloquent words Joseph Pinto has put together in this collection. When one is lost in the pains of life, there are different roads we can travel. Is it where one wants to be?...Do we need to continue in the pain?...can we rise above it and conquer it?...these words make you dig deeper into the shadows of our own minds, hearts, and souls. Thank you, Joseph, for provoking me to think!...

To start with, the cover is so crisp and clean - the first thing I was impressed about... and the tagline "pained prose from a bar" fitting for the content which takes one through several rounds of drinks between 7pm and Last Call (I must admit I was half expecting a chapter dedicated to 'Happy Hour'!)

Starting with a dedication that reaches out those of our world who have suffered or are suffering (which immediately spoke of life experience and compassion on the writer's part)... despite the significant darkness and weight felt throughout, often in waves, "A Distilled Spirit" features a kaleidoscope of content.... from personal opinions, experiences and feelings, to conversations or memories... littered with deeply insightful and meaningful reflections and introspection.

Although I was in the comfort of my own home when I read it, having worked in hospitality myself, as others have mentioned in their reviews, often in very few words the writer was able to grasp imagery that was so realistic, you sense the mustiness, smell the stench of sour beer, hear the drunk ramblings and rambunctious laughter, and picture the vast array of characters drifting in and out. (Some of the meals mentioned had my tummy rumbling and wanting to order a counter meal!)

The observations made from 'people-watching' ranged from very sad and somewhat critical... to highly amusing and full of sarcasm, which had me smirking and stifling a giggle.

Most poignant perhaps, was under all the many layers were some key melancholic moments that touched my heart. Pain birthing resilience. Longing and love, lined with grieving... and despite a keen desire to keep their walls up, if you took the time not only read but feel the words... there was much more said, than what lay within the lines.

Amazing read Joe ☺ 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A collection of everyday pain everybody can rely on and masterly penned in verses .

You don’t need to love poetry to love what is in these pages.

A journey inside the post soul but also inside the one of the reader.

This is a beautiful collection and even the shortest of pieces offers a pause for thought and a mediation on what makes people tick. Recommended.