Master of Whiskey & Master of Whisky

2025 Exams: April 22-25, 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 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 now set as “final” for the 2025 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)

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)

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

• Johnny 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.