Course Spotlight: Wake Up Your Whisky Nose
Embark on a sensory journey that will transform the way you experience Scotch whisky, ensuring that your future tastings become a sensory adventure that you can unpick, analyse and enjoy. Wake Up Your Whisky Nose is a theory-based module packed with practical tips that will awaken your senses to the rich, aromatic world of whisky tasting.
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Vic Cameron, one of our whisky lecturers says: âToasting is one of the heat treatments that we can do to the inside of a cask. It’s when we heat the wood to breakdown some of the lignin in there to release compounds like sugars and aldehydes that can then go into the spirit.â
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Edinburgh Whisky Academy Launches Online Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey
The Edinburgh Whisky Academy, in partnership with the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, proudly announces the online Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey will launch on Monday 19 August. This groundbreaking online course is designed for whiskey enthusiasts and industry professionals eager to deepen their understanding of the dynamic and emerging category of American single malt whiskey.
Course Overview
The Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey is a self-paced online course created in partnership with the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission. The course features short, easy-to-follow multimedia lessons over seven immersive modules. Upon completion of the final assessment (a 50-question multiple-choice test) participants will receive an EWA digital completion certificate and digital badge for immediate sharing. A printed copy and a physical purple lapel pin are available to purchase.
Authored by Industry Experts
Embark on a voyage through this exciting new category with experts who are truly at the forefront of the industry. Theyâll help you master the craft roots and innovative techniques at the heart of American single malt whiskey production.
Contributors include:
Steve Hawley (President, American Single Malt Whiskey Commission)
Joseph O’Sullivan (Master Distiller, Minden Mill Distilling)
Tyler Pederson (Master Distiller, Westland Distillery)
Jared Himstedt (Head Distiller, Balcones Distilling)
Murphy Quint (Master Distiller, Cedar Ridge Distillery)
Matt Hofmann (Consultant, American Single Malt Whiskey)
Clay Risen (Journalist & Author)
Kirsty McKerrow, Founder and Managing Director of Edinburgh Whisky Academy, said:
“We are thrilled to introduce the first course of its kind with our Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey. This category is new, exciting, and growing rapidly, and our partnership with the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission allows us to pioneer a new standard of whiskey education. At the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, we believe that you never stop learning about whiskey, and this course is a testament to our commitment to providing cutting-edge and comprehensive education for whiskey enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.”
Steve Hawley, President of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, said:
“We’re excited to partner with the Edinburgh Whisky Academy to offer this comprehensive and pioneering educational opportunity. The category of American single malt whiskey is an intriguing blend of tradition and innovation, capturing the essence of both worlds. This course furthers our mission to establish American single malt whiskey as a recognized and celebrated category among global whiskey consumers.â
Curriculum
Module 1: The History of American Single Malt Whiskey
Module 2: The Business of American Single Malt Whiskey
Module 3: Raw Materials
Module 4: Production Process (From Grain to Liquid)
Module 5: Maturation
Module 6: Blending & Bottling
Module 7: Sensory
Final Assessment: 50 questions, multiple-choice format
Interactive & Engaging Learning Experience
In addition to engaging multimedia lessons, participants can opt to receive a tasting pack containing six American single malt whiskeys (Virginia Distillery Co., Stranahanâs, Boulder Spirits, Andalusia, Whiskey Del Bac, and McCarthyâs) to accompany the Sensory module.
The course includes video explainers, panel discussions, text, and quizzes, ensuring a rich and engaging learning experience. Each lesson features a Discussion tab for interactive engagement with peers and instructors.
Details
ÂŁ125 (online course only), or ÂŁ180 (online course + tasting pack)
LINK: CLICK HERE:
About Edinburgh Whisky Academy
Edinburgh Whisky Academy provides world-class whisky education, offering online and in-person whisky courses that are both rigorous and accessible. With a focus on the rich traditions and innovative practices of the whisky industry, the Academy is committed to nurturing the next generation of whiskey connoisseurs and professionals.
About American Single Malt Whiskey
American single malt whiskey is an exciting and rapidly growing category in the whiskey world, characterized by its unique production methods and diverse flavour profiles. This course provides an in-depth exploration of its history, production, and place in the broader whiskey industry.
SPARTA, KY (July 24, 2024) âHidden Barn Bourbonâs Series 1, Batch 23B has won a double gold at The Tasting Allianceâs San Francisco World Spirits Competition in the Small Batch Bourbon â up to 5 Years category and is a finalist for its Best in Class awards, which will be announced in October 2024. The judges described 23B as âa perfectly balanced bourbonâ and awarded it a score of 98 points. This is the second year in a row a Hidden Barn Bourbon has won a double gold at the esteemed San Francisco award competition.
Batch 23B, released in the fall of 2023, was distilled at Neeley Family Distillery and blended by Jackie Zykan. The two have paired up for six other Hidden Barn Bourbon releases, including a Seven-Year-Old bourbon, released on July 7th of this year. Batch 23B is a blend of 20 barrels aged five to six years old using Neeleyâs flagship mashbill of 70 percent corn, 20 percent rye and 10 percent malted barley.
Like all Neeley Family Distillery distillates, this bourbon was double pot distilled after fermenting with wild-crafted Appalachian yeast, a practice of the Neeley Family dating back generations. Batch 23B was bottled at cask strength at 110.1 proof with only sediment filtration.
âWeâre so humbled that Hidden Barn has won double gold medals back-to-back in 2023 and 2024, in what is one of the most distinguished and also largest spirits competitions,â said Master Blender Jackie Zykan. âTo have the judges describe it as âperfectly balancedâ is an enormous compliment as a blender, especially in such a crowded category as small batch bourbon.â
Zykanâs tasting notes for this bourbon call it rich and intense, with a buttery caramel corn base, dark fruit and florals, and significant baked apple. A touch of pepper throughout ramps up into a robust finish complemented by dried peppermint and anise.
Suggested retail pricing for the Hidden Barn Series 1, 23B is $74.99. It is available at Neeley Family Distillery gift shop, online and at retail in Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia, Missouri, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
About Hidden Barn Bourbon
Hidden Barnâs name harkens back to the local communities who painted their barns black in solidarity with distillers during Prohibition. This sense of community is continued today through the passion for quality whiskey and camaraderie shared by its three partners, Jackie Zykan, Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar. Together, the three friends bring their own strengths â a superior palate, distilling prowess, and a powerhouse connector to form Hidden Barn Bourbon. Previous Hidden Barn Series have earned Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023 and 2024 and Best Small Batch, 1st Place at the 2023 New Orleans Bourbon Festival. Hidden Barn Bourbon is owned by Neeley Family Distillery.  The brand is available online and in select states. For more information visit hiddenbarnwhiskey.com
About The San Francisco World Spirits CompetitionÂ
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition was founded in 2000 and is the largest competition of its kind with nearly 5,000 entries. Each entry is judged double blind by a panel of spirits experts. A double gold medal is awarded when each judge on the panel gives a gold medal to the entry. The SFWSC medal is a testament to the hard work of the spirits industryâs distillers and producers and is a universally recognized indicator of exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
SAZERAC COMPANY AWARDED 27 MEDALS AT THE SPIRITS BUSINESSâ 2024 AMERICAN WHISKEY MASTERS
 Among the top honors are Thomas S. Moore Cabernet Sauvignon Finished Bourbon and 1792 Aged 12 Years, both winning prestigious Master medalsÂ
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (August 5, 2024) â The Sazerac Company, one of the worldâs largest, privately-owned distilled spirits companies, is honored to receive a total of 27 medals in The Spirits Business American Whiskey Masters 2024. Top honors include two Master medals â awarded to Thomas S. Moore Cabernet Sauvignon Finished Bourbon and 1792 Aged 12 Years â as well as 15 Gold medals and 10 Silver medals. Traveller Whiskey, the first new brand release from Buffalo Trace Distillery in several years, won a Gold medal in its first year of existence.
The American Whiskey Masters is chaired by The Spirits Business and a panel of leading spirits specialists. Spirits are judged in a blind taste test and awarded by category. This year, the competition included 85 entries from 19 companies across America.
âThank you to the judges at this yearâs American Whiskey Masters, we are honored and thrilled to have received 27 medals at this yearâs competition,â said Jake Wenz, President and CEO at Sazerac. âOur teams working across Sazeracâs vast portfolio of American Whiskeys are committed to the craft of making quality whiskey. These awards are a strong reflection of our teamâs daily dedication to exceptional distilling and aging.â
Sazerac brands awarded medals include W.L. Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, E.H. Taylor Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Traveller Whiskey, Benchmark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Early Times Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and more. Sazeracâs full list of winners includes:
Master
Gold
Silver
About Sazerac:
With over 400 years of history, Sazerac is one of the worldâs largest distilled spirits companies. Now in the fourth generation of the current family ownership, Sazerac strives each day to bring the finest spirits to consumers and communities around the world.
Over 500 of the worldâs most extraordinary brands are part of the Sazerac portfolio, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, The Last Drop Distillers, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Southern Comfort, Wheatley Vodka, Meyersâs Rum, White X Cognac, Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Paddyâs Irish Whiskey, and many more.
Sazerac is also the steward of many fine distilleries internationally, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, United States; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; Paul John Distillery in Goa, India; and Lough Gill Distillery in County Sligo, Ireland. Additional impressive locations can be found in New Orleans, Montréal, London, Cork and Sydney, to name a few.
To learn more visit www.sazerac.com.
Course Spotlight: Certificate in Sensory Appreciation
Crafted in collaboration with renowned whisky writer and chef, Martine Nouet, the Certificate in Sensory Appreciation is a journey into the heart of whisky enjoyment and analysis. The art and science of whisky are brought to life in an immersive, in-person educational experience over four workshops. Taught exclusively by our handpicked global network of Approved Course Providers.đ Learn More
Hot on the heels of our recent Newcastle Festival announcement …
Our warehouse clear-out continues, and to help you help us, we’ve a rather bonkers discount for you today.
In the southern hemisphere, a few smart folk started a “Christmas in July” celebration, so they could double up on the festive fun at a more wintery time of year.
To help you celebrate your own Christmas in July, we’re gifting you over ÂŁ30 off our biggest-ever collection of drams; the legendary “Festival in a Box”.
We’re taking ÂŁ30Â off the usual ÂŁ95 price AND offering free shipping (normally ÂŁ6.95), reducing this remarkable collection of whiskies to just ÂŁ65Â (down from ÂŁ101.95 total).
You won’t get this many drams of this quality at this price anywhere else, so we expect them to sell fast.
Click here now to claim a set for yourself.
Each 3.0 Edition of Festival in a Box features 20Â Scotch and world whiskies, a whisky liqueur, a cognac, a rum and includes a free Glencairn whisky tasting glass and a 100ml old fashioned cocktail.
You can even partake of 12+ hours of festive-themed video content from the original live festival broadcast in 2021, for a bit of retro covid-era home-drinking entertainment!
At under ÂŁ3 per dram, this is truly unbeatable value by any measure, so we hope you’ll grab a set and keep yourself in good whisky until we next get to see you in person (or until Christmas arrives for real!).
You will notice when you click the link that the product page is on our fulfilment partners website (The Dram Team). We did this because it is the quickest way to get you your box, but feel free to check out their cool stuff too!
Merry Christmas and happy dramming from the Whisky Lounge!
Slainte!
Eddie
The Whisky Lounge Team
The Whisky Lounge Ltd
Unit 3
61a Osbaldwick Lane
York, North Yorkshire YO10 3AY
United Kingdom
We are delighted to announce that our Newcastle 2025 Tickets are now on sale! We have evolved our sessions for 2025 and our focus will be on all the many exciting new producers around the UK and globally!
The ticket offer below is strictly limited and once these tickets are gone, they will not be returning!
Newcastle Whisky Festival 2025
Saturday 29th March 2025
Civic Centre
This offer is limited both in time and numbers of tickets available so be fast! The new sessions are 12-3.30pm (Early Session) and 5-8.30pm (Late Session). Every ticket includes;
Entry into the relevant session
Glencairn Crystal Tasting Glass
All samples except Dream Drams and Cocktails
SlĂĄinte,
                   Â
Eddie &Â Amanda –Â The Whisky Lounge Team
The Whisky Lounge Ltd
Unit 3
61a Osbaldwick Lane
York, North Yorkshire YO10 3AY
United Kingdom
Elevate your expertise and unlock the secrets of single malt Scotch whisky with our flagship Diploma course. Tailored for those working in the industry (in customer-facing roles) and enthusiasts alike (newcomers or seasoned connoisseurs), this immersive two-day course is your gateway to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world’s most revered spirit. Study at either Arniston House (23 & 24 September, 26 & 27 September) or at the Port of Leith Distillery (14 & 15 November).đ Learn More
The room block for WhiskyFest⹠New York is now open at the New York Marriott Marquis. For a stress-free evening, plan to stay at the Marriott with our special room block rate good through October 28th or until the block sells out. For information and to book your stay, please click here. Still need tickets for our fall WhiskyFest events? Visit our website to purchase your tickets today.
