Might 16, 2025 — Greater than 40 members and candidates of THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS, a world physique devoted to whisk(e)y training, convened at Garrison Brothers Distillery in Texas Hill Nation to conduct the annual Grasp examinations and to call newly confirmed Masters within the Scotch and Bourbon specialties, in addition to a brand new technology of Masters of Whiskey named by the Council for his or her world whiskey data.
The worldwide judging panel included present Masters in addition to Council board members. Many trade veterans have served on the Council’s board of advisors since its founding in 2019, together with Steve Beal, Dave Broom, Martin Duffy, Sébastien Gavillet, Monique Huston, Charles MacLean, Becky Offringa, Hans Offringa, Martin Duffy, Tobias Gorn, Paul Pacult, Peggy Noe Stevens, Arthur Nägele, Andy Watts, and present chairman of the board Bernhard Schäfer. Additional, over the previous 12 months, the next whiskey authorities have joined the Council’s board as effectively: Rachel Barrie, John Campbell, Susan Reigler, Stefan van Eycken, Nancy Fraley, Stephanie Macleod, and Michael D’Souza.
The 2025 examinations included intense blind tastings, in-depth oral principle exams, in addition to essays on a variety of subjects. Candidates have been reviewed on all facets of their chosen specialization, protecting historical past, manufacturing, all main distilleries, data of the commerce, tasting competence, rules and requirements of id, and extra.
Judges evaluated all candidates independently and elected new Masters primarily based upon agreed requirements developed and persistently upheld by the Council. To grow to be a candidate within the Grasp program, people should first cross the primary and second ranges of this system via distant research. The research program is open to all people worldwide, and enrollment particulars can be found at www.WhiskeyMasters.org.
THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS is happy to announce the next exceptionally proficient and devoted professionals as new Masters:
- James Ball, Grasp of Whisky
- Octavio Bernal, Grasp of Scotch
- William Breeden, Grasp of Bourbon
- Will Breslaw, Grasp of Whisky
- Andy Cartin, Grasp of Bourbon
- Mark Griffith, Grasp of Whisky
- Chase Henry, Grasp of Whiskey
- Jeffrey LaBelle, Grasp of Scotch
- Kevin Malta, Grasp of Whiskey
- Megan Sawkar, Grasp of Scotch
- Siddharth Sawkar, Grasp of Bourbon
- Robert Späth, Grasp of Scotch
- Bethne Stewart, Grasp of Bourbon
- Justin Strumpfer, Grasp of Whiskey
- Jamie Wen, Grasp of Scotch
- Andy Westley, Grasp of Whisky
(The Council encourages program graduates to decide on their most well-liked spelling of the phrase “whisk(e)y,” in keeping with their specialization)
Candidates who didn’t cross the exams this 12 months are inspired to proceed of their research and will likely be supported and mentored by the Council towards success in later examinations.
It was additionally introduced that Keeper of the Quaich Monique Huston, Vice President of Spirits at Winebow, would be the new Chairwoman of the Board beginning January of 2026. Ms Huston thereby will succeed profitable phrases management phrases by fellow Keepers of the Quaich Steve Beal, Bernhard Schäfer, and Martin Duffy.
THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS presently consists of greater than 80 full members worldwide. Since its inception in 2019, the Council has developed and supported many 1000’s of certification examinees, from greater than 50 nations.
The subsequent Grasp exams will happen in 2026 within the Scottish Highlands at a number one distillery. Enrollment is open now.
All program and make contact with data could be discovered at www.WhiskeyMasters.org
The complete record of Council members is revealed at www.whiskeymasters.org/whiskey-masters
