DAVIN DE KERGOMMEAUX is the author of the recently published Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert, the definitive guide to Canadian whisky. An independent whisky expert, de Kergommeaux has been writing about, talking about, and teaching about whisky for more than a decade and a half. His writing and tasting notes appear in Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate, Scotch Whisky Review, Whisky and Fine Spirits, various lifestyle magazines, and on websites such as maltmaniacs.org. His website, www.canadianwhisky.org , has become a reference standard for Canadian whiskies with its comprehensive and no-nonsense tasting notes. Just six months after it was launched in 2010, the Association of Canadian Food Bloggers named de Kergommeaux’s website as the best wine and spirits blog of the year..

Internationally acclaimed whisky writer, Dave Broom invited de Kergommeaux to write the chapter on Canadian whisky for his most recent book, The World Atlas of Whisky, released in October 2010. De Kergommeaux also wrote all the Canadian entries in Dominic Roskrow’s new book, 1001 Whiskies You Must Taste Before You Die. De Kergommeaux’s own book, Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert was published by McClelland & Stewart in May 2012 to enthusiastic reviews, and is distributed in Canada and the U.S. by Random House. The book is available world-wide through most on-line book sellers in hardcover and as an e-book.

De Kergommeaux is a much sought after judge at international whisky competitions, including the World Whisky Awards. Since 2003, he has served as a judge for the annual Malt Maniacs Awards. These are long-standing and highly respected whisky competitions. Given his commitment to telling the Canadian whisky story and to making its qualities known around the world, in 2010 he decided to create the annual Canadian Whisky Awards, which he coordinates as well as leading the judging panel.

The pursuit of whisky is an individual passion as it is also about individual taste. This is why de Kergommeaux also leads tutored tastings for both individuals and groups. People certainly like what they hear. His master classes at the Victoria Whisky Festival, in British Columbia. have regularly sold-out well in advance every year since 2009. Similarly his master classes for the “Spirit of Toronto” event at Roy Thomson Hall have become a mainstay of this event.

Still, it’s a sad fact of whisky life that Canadian whisky, despite its quality, doesn’t get its due. And worse, myths and misunderstandings about Canadian whisky abound, only to confuse those who try to learn more. De Kergommeaux has taken on this challenge and is committed to change that with his book, his articles, and his regular public appearances, using a “kill-rumours-with-facts” approach. It is his mission to help serious whisky fans and whisky newcomers alike to discover one of Canada’s best-kept secrets: the hidden riches of Canadian whisky.