Master of Whiskey & Master of Whisky

The next exams are scheduled for Oct 6-10 of 2026 in Pitlochry, Scotland

If you are interested in joining the program, please enroll HERE NOW, or contact the Council offices HERE.

The 2025 exam took place in May of 2025 at Garrison Brothers Distillery in Texas. The 2025 new MASTERS OF WHISKEY are James Ball, Will Breslaw, Mark Griffith, Chase Henry, Kevin Malta, Justin Strumpfer, and Andy Westley.

The 2024 exam took place in April at the Isle of Raasay Distillery, Scotland. The new (and first) MASTERS OF WHISKEY 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 enrollment fee is $7,900.

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:

1. Blind Tasting #1: 8 whiskeys, a 2-hour tasting exam with in-depth questions on flavor causality

2. Oral Theory Exam: a 1.5-hour exam covering all whiskeys, their distilleries, markets, history, production

3. 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 important brands:

The above list is updated for the 2026 exam season.

The Core List of Required Readings for the Oral Theory Exam includes the following books:

On Whisk(e)y:

1. World Atlas of Whisky (3rd Edition), by Dave Broom
2. Whiskey Master Class, by Lew Bryson
3. Cask Management for Distillers, by Matt Strickland
4. Batch Distillation, by Matt Strickland
5. Field Guide to Whisky, by Hans Offrings

On Scotch Whisky:

1. Understanding Scotch Malt Whisky, by The Council of Whiskey Masters and Charles MacLean
2. Difford's Guide to Single Malt Scotch Whisky Production
3. Appreciating Whisky by Phillip Hills
4. A Sense of Place by Dave Broom
5. A Passion for Whisky: The Scottish Island of Islay by Ian Wisniewski

On Bourbon Whiskey:

1. Understanding Bourbon Whiskey by The Council of Whiskey Masters and Adam Edmonsond
2. Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, by Michael Veach
3. American Whiskey Master Class, by Lew Bryson
4. Kentucky Bourbon, by Susan Reigler
5. Bourbon, by Clay Risen

On Irish Whiskey:

1. Whiskeys of Ireland, by Peter Mulryan
2. A Glass Apart, by Fionnán O’Connor

On Japanese Whisky:

1. Whisky Rising (2nd Edition), by Stefan van Eycken
2. The Japanese Way of Whisky (revised edition of The Way of Whisky), by Dave Broom

On Canadian Whisky:

1. Canadian Whisky (3rd edition), by Davin de Kergommeaux

The 16 whiskeys tested in the 2025 Master of Whiskey blind tasting exam at Garrison Brothers in Texas were:

• Alberta Premium Rye Cash Strength

• Balcones American Single Malt

• Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

• Fuji Single Grain

• GlenDronach 12

• Glenfarclas 17

• Ichiro’s Malt & Grain

• Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7

• Johnnie Walker Green

• Kavalan Classic Single Malt

• Maker’s Mark 46

• Old Pulteney 12

• Paul John Brilliance

• Power John’s Lane

• Talisker 10

• Yamazaki 12

The 16 whiskeys tested in the 2024 Master of Whiskey blind tasting exam on the Isle of Raasay were:

• Amrut Single Malt, India

• Four Roses Bourbon Single Barrel, Kentucky

• Glenkinchie Distillers Edition, Scotland

• Glenlivet 18, Scotland

• Hibiki Harmony, Japan

• Highland Park 12, Scotland

• Johnnie Walker Black, Scotland

• Kavalan Concert Master, Taiwan

• Kanosuke Single Malt, Japan

• Knob Creek Rye, Kentucky

• Lagavulin 16, Scotland

• Larceny Small Batch, Kentucky

• Nikka Coffey Malt, Japan

• Old Pulteney 12, Scotland

• Red Breast 12, Ireland

• Westland American Oak Single Malt, Washington

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.