The Council of Whiskey Masters has announced that its first Master of Bourbon examination will take place between 25-28 April at a private ranch on the Bourbon trail near Lexington, Kentucky.

The total cost of the program is $6,200 per person, which includes on-site lodging, exams, supporting masterclasses and three tasting dinners.

Enrolment for candidates is open on the Council of Whiskey Masters website. Participants will start with Level 1, by either becoming a Certified Bourbon Professional (CBP) or Certified Scotch Professional (CSP). Level 2, the Certified Whisky Specialist (CWS) credential, has. The objective of providing well-rounded international knowledge.

Both level 3 credentials – Master of Bourbon and Master of Scotch – offer the world’s top certifications for those who dedicate their lives to studying the spirit.



The very class of the Masters of Bourbon will be announced in due course. Between 15 and 25 candidates are expected to partake, with the next Master of Scotch exam will take place at the same time and place.

The Council of Whiskey Masters was founded in 2019 and has become a well-respected certification organization dedicated to whisky. The Council is supported by a board of more than 30 global whisky experts, with board members judging the master-level exams.

On 12 September, the Council announced 5 new Masters of Scotch after a few intense days of examinations at Rothes Glen. Judges included Masters of the Quaich Charles MacLean and Bernhard Schäfer, spirits judges Tobias Gorn and Arthur Nägele, along with whisky couple Hans and Becky Offringa.