Master of Whiskey & Master of Whisky
2025 Exams: April 14-19, in Texas. Enrollment is open now.
The 2024 exam took place in April at the Isle of Raasay Distillery, Scotland. The new (and first) MASTERS OF WHISKY are: Daniel Crowell, Adam Edmonsond, Nikolas Kosobucki, Thomas McCormick, Siddharth Sawkar, and Samuel Wright.
Current MASTERS OF SCOTCH and MASTERS OF BOURBON can now enroll for the highest designation of the Council, the MASTER OF WHISKEY / MASTER OF WHISKY designation.
The next MASTER OF SCOTCH and MASTER OF BOURBON exams for existing Certified Whisk(e)y Specialists will take place at the same time and location.
Upon passing of either the MASTER OF SCOTCH™ or MASTER OF BOURBON™ examination, candidates may choose to apply for the top knowledge level in whisk(e)y:
The 4th and final level of our program, the MASTER OF WHISKEY™ course & exam, completes the last step towards the highest level of whiskey expertise in the world, and is awarded only after detailed examination of theory and practical knowledge in the world of Scotch, Bourbon and other global whiskeys.
The MASTER OF WHISKEY and MASTER OF WHISKY examinations will consist of 3 parts:
Blind Tasting #1: 8 whiskeys, a 2-hour tasting exam with in-depth questions on flavor causality
Oral Theory Exam: a 1.5-hour exam covering all whiskeys, their distilleries, markets, history, production
Blind Tasting #2: 8 more whiskeys, a 2-hour tasting exam with in-depth questions on producer styles
These level 4 examinations do not include a written component, as writing is extensively tested at level 3.
All three exam sections of the Level 4 will apply an increased review of communication quality.
The Blind Tasting Exams are expected to feature whiskeys drawn from this list of 48 classical brands:
SCOTLAND
Bunnahabhain
GlenDronach
Glenfarclas
Glenfiddich
Glenkinchie
Glenlivet
Glenmorangie
Highland Park
Johnnie Walker
Lagavulin
Monkey Shoulder
Mortlach
Oban
Old Pulteney
Springbank
Talisker
USA
Angel’s Envy
Buffalo Trace
Elijah Craig
Four Roses
George Dickel
Jefferson’s
Jim Beam
Jack Daniel’s
Knob Creek
Maker’s Mark
Old Forester
Stranahan's
Westland
W.L. Weller
Wild Turkey
Woodford Reserve
JAPAN
Akkeshi
Chichibu
Hakushu
Hibiki
Kanosuke
Mars Shinshu
Nikka
Yamazaki
IRELAND
Bushmills (single malts)
Connemara
Redbreast
Spot Whiskeys
CANADA
Canadian Club
Crown Royal
TAIWAN
Kavalan
INDIA
Amrut
The above list is now set as “final” for the 2024 exams.
The Core List of Required Readings for the Oral Theory Exam includes the following books:
On Whisk(e)y:
1. World Whisky, by Charles MacLean (member of the board)
2. World Atlas of Whisky, by Dave Broom (member of the board)
3. Tasting Whiskey, by Lew Bryson (member of the board)
4. Whiskey Master Class, by Lew Bryson
On Scotch Whisky:
1. Understanding Scotch Malt Whisky, by The Council of Whiskey Masters, with Charles MacLean
2. A Sense of Place, by Dave Broom
3. Scotch Whisky, by Joseph Micallef (member of the board)
On Bourbon Whiskey:
1. Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, Michael Veach (member of the board)
2. Bourbon, by Clay Risen (member of the board)
3. Bourbon Straight, by Chuck Cowdery
On Irish Whiskey:
1. Whiskeys of Ireland, by Peter Mulryan (member of the board)
2. A Glass Apart, by Fionnán O’Connor (member of the board)
On Japanese Whisky:
1. Whiskey Japan, by Dominic Roskrow (member of the board)
2. The Way of Whisky, by Dave Broom
3. Whisky Rising, by Stefan van Eycken
On Canadian Whisky:
1. Canadian Whisky, by Davin de Kergommeaux (member of the board)
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All master-level examinations take place in-person and on-site in America, or in the Scottish Highlands.
Candidates may choose the spelling “Master of Whiskey” or “Master of Whisky” for their diploma print, in acknowledgement of the various regional spelling preferences.
All master-level exams are judged by exam panels consisting of existing Masters, as well as Keepers of the Quaich who serve on the Advisory Board of The Council of Whiskey Masters.