Five New MASTERS OF SCOTCH Announced by THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS

Speyside, Rothes Glen Castle

Group photo of judges

The COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS, a U.S. education body dedicated to whisk(e)y, has conducted its first global MASTER OF SCOTCH examination and named 5 new MASTERS OF SCOTCH in a historic announcement.

Last week, a remarkable group of candidates and judges took residence at Rothes Glen Castle in Speyside, Scotland, to undergo 3 intensive days of masterclasses, tasting and examination that led to the identification of an inaugural class of MASTER OF SCOTCH titleholders.

The examination included a comprehensive blind tasting of single malt scotches, a detailed oral theory exam, as well as a 6-question essay exam. Candidates were examined on all aspects of the world of Scotch whisky, covering history, production, regions, trade, tasting, presentation, and more.

The international judging panel consisted of the Council’s advisory board members, featuring globally acclaimed whiskey authorities. This year’s judges in residence were Tobias Gorn, Charles MacLean, Arthur Nägele, Hans Offringa, Bernhard Schäfer, as well as Rebecca Offringa, who was officially appointed as a new advisory board member during the event. A majority of this judge group holds Keeper or Master of the Quaich designations.

Judges evaluated all candidates independently and elected new MASTERS OF SCOTCH based on agreed-upon standards developed and upheld by the Council. To become a candidate in the MASTER OF SCOTCH program, individuals must first pass the CERTIFIED SCOTCH PROFESSIONAL exam, and in a second step pass the CERTIFIED WHISKEY SPECIALIST exam to demonstrate global knowledge. The study program is open to all individuals, around the world, through enrollment at www.WhiskeyMasters.org.

Today, THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS congratulates the following professionals on their monumental achievement in Scotch whisky:

Daniel Crowell, Master of Scotch

Dan Crowell is the Glenmorangie brand ambassador for the United States. With nearly 30 years of spirits experience, Mr Crowell is one of the most highly decorated professionals active in the whisky industry today, holding awards from countless respected institutions. Mr Crowell lives in Omaha, Nebraska.

Jerad Justesen, Master of Scotch

Jerad Justesen has been a dedicated analyst and advanced student of Single Malt Scotch for several decades, with outstanding articulation of flavor components, as well as deep competence in the causality of production methods. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Guy Sporbert, Master of Scotch

For many years, Guy Sporbert has served as a Scotch Ambassador at the Westin Kierland Resort’s Scotch Library, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mr Sporbert gathered several decades of expertise in the spirits business, after transitioning from a accomplished career with the U.S. Air Force.

John Wabeck, Master of Scotch

John Wabeck serves as the beverage director for the Richard Deshantz Restaurant Group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr Wabeck has dedicated several years of professional study to the understanding and appreciation of Scotch whisky.

Samuel Wright, Master of Scotch

Sam Wright has studied the production, history and profiles of Scotch whisky for several decades while continuing an accomplished career in engineering. Mr Wright lives in Colorado.

As of September 10th, 2022, the above individuals have joined the COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS as members for life, subject to the Council’s code of ethics. Those candidates who did not pass all parts of the exam will be supported and mentored by the Council toward success in later examinations.

The COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS currently consists of 36 full members, including existing advisory board members, executives, and the new MASTERS OF SCOTCH. Since 2019, the Council has developed and served thousands of certification candidates, located in 45 different countries.

The next MASTER OF SCOTCH exam will take place in Bardstown, Kentucky, between April 25th and April 28th of 2023, at a private ranch in the heart of Bourbon country.

During those days, the first global MASTER OF BOURBON examination will also be held on site, judged again by the globally respected members of The COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS. The Council expects a total of 25 candidates to be examined at the Master level during this event.

Enrollment is now open for the 2023 Master examinations. To be eligible for either exam, candidates must first take levels 1 and 2 of the Council’s certification program.

All program and contact information can be found at www.WhiskeyMasters.org

The full list of board members is published at www.whiskeymasters.org/whiskey-masters