08/29/2023
Press Release:
THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS Announces
More Details for the 2024 Master Exams
Between April 17th and 21st of 2024, the Isle of Raasay Distillery in Western Scotland will host the annual Master examinations of THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS. All candidates and judges will stay at Raasay House, a castle hotel in walking distance to the distillery. A group of 12+ examination judges will be comprised of members of the Council’s Advisory Board, as well as current Masters of Scotch and Masters of Bourbon.
Together, the candidates, Masters, and Advisory Board members will go through an intense series of theory exams, practical tasting exams, hands-on distillation workshops at Raasay Distillery, spirits judge training, and sensational Master-guided tasting dinners, with the additional option to visit the nearby Isle of Skye featuring the distilleries Talisker and Torabhaig.
This year’s Master exams will be overseen by the 2024 Chairman of the Board, global whiskey authority Bernhard Schäfer, a Master of the Quaich. Several other Masters of the Quaich, including resident Scots Charles MacLean and Dave Broom, are looking forward to their involvement, along with many other experts on American, Scottish and world whiskeys, all drawn from the globally unmatched Advisory Board of The Council of Whiskey Masters. Past judges included whiskey legends Steve Beal, Lew Bryson, Martin Duffy, Sebastien Gavillet, Tobias Gorn, Monique Huston, Arthur Nägele, Becky Offringa and Hans Offringa, plus several active Masters of Scotch who passed the exam in recent years.
In the months leading up the exams, all candidates are prepared individually, through monthly guidance and pacing calls with the Council offices, and each candidate will also be paired with a current Master who will lend support as an advisor, enabling the highest possible success rates.
Three different types of exams are offered during this 3-day residency:
1. The MASTER OF SCOTCH exam will consist of 3 components:
A. Blind-Tasting Exam, tasting and discussing 8 single malt whiskeys
B. Oral Theory Exam, widely covering production, distillery specifics, and more
C. Written Theory Exam based on 25-predefined knowledge topics
The reading list for the theory exam covers 10 of the most important books on the Scotch whisky, plus the back catalogue of Whisky Magazine and Whisky Advocate.
The 24 Scotch Distilleries designated as “important” for this exam are Ardbeg, Bladnoch, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, GlenAllachie, GlenDronach, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, Glen Garioch, Glenlivet, Glenmorangie, Glenturret, Highland Park, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Mortlach, Oban, Old Pulteney, Springbank, Talisker, Tamdhu, Tobermory.
The MASTER OF BOURBON exam has the same structure as the Scotch track.
The American Whiskeys designated as “important” for this exam are Angel’s Envy, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Blanton’s, Booker’s, Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare, E.H. Taylor, Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Four Roses, George Dickel, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s, K**b Creek, Larceny, Maker’s Mark, Michter’s, Old Forester, Old Grand Dad, Russell’s Reserve, W.L. Weller, Wild Turkey, Willett, Woodford Reserve.
Existing MASTERS OF SCOTCH and MASTERS OF BOURBON are eligible to sit for the final level of the Council’s study program, the MASTER OF WHISKEY credential. This top level credentials tests global knowledge of all important whiskey types, and the 2024 MASTER OF WHISKEY exam will be the first in history. The alternative spelling “WHISKY” is open to all candidates, expressing their preference or specialization.
In addition to rigorous testing of Scotch and Bourbon knowledge, the following global brands will also be part of the examination scope: Akkeshi, Chichibu, Hakushu, Hibiki, Kanosuke, Mars Shinshu, Nikka and Yamazaki for Japan; Bushmills, Connemara, Redbreast and Spot Whiskeys for Ireland, as well as Kavalan, Amrut, Crown Royal as well as Canadian Club.
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Prior Master examinations took place at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort Kentucky, and at Rothes Glen Castle in Speyside, Scotland. THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS develops aspiring and existing whiskey professionals around the world, currently including several thousand candidates from 46 countries. Interested individuals do not need prior knowledge, as the Level 1 study guide provides all necessary information to get started. The Council offers separate tracks for Scotch and for Bourbon.
Candidates become eligible for the Master-level exams after first becoming a Certified Scotch Professional or Certified Bourbon Professional (the Level 1 exams, completed remotely), followed by gaining global competence as a Certified Whiskey Specialist (the Level 2 exam, also completed remotely).
THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS calls out to all whiskey professionals at this time, encouraging enrollment for the 2024 Master Exams. Castle lodging will be allocated in the order of enrollment. The enrollment fee is $6500 and includes all lodging, all meals and whiskeys, plus examinations and an unforgettable on-site program. Everyone interested in the program is asked to send an Indication of Interest to the Council office without delay, or enroll directly on the website.
THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS is a global education institution, based in Los Angeles, California. The Advisory Board of the Council includes 35 of the most respected whiskey experts alive today.
A list of current Masters and Advisory Board Members, and Exam Information can be found at www.WhiskeyMasters.org.
The office can be reached at [email protected] and +1 310 467 5582.
