Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey (In-person)

This masterclass offers a framework for understanding American Single Malt whiskey from the inside out.

Module 1: The History of American Single Malt Whiskey

How a modern movement redefined the global whiskey landscape. Trace the evolution of the category from its early pioneering craft roots to its current status as one of the most exciting frontiers in world distilling.

Module 2: The Business of American Single Malt Whiskey

How standards, regulations, and global demand shape the market. Understand the official legal frameworks, ASMWC standards, geographical protections, and commercial dynamics driving this rapidly growing category.

Module 3: Raw Materials

The foundation of flavor innovation. Explore the crucial role of unique grain choices, locally sourced barley varieties, water sources, and yeast strains that give American single malts their distinct regional character.

Module 4: Production Process (From Grain to Liquid)

Deciphering the mechanics of flavor creation. Dive deep into the technical steps of milling, mashing, and fermentation, examining the production decisions made before the spirit ever touches the still.

Module 5: Maturation

Where local climate meets bold wood chemistry. Understand the diverse cask choices—from new charred American oak to unique finishing barrels—and how distinct regional climates across the US rapidly accelerate and shape the maturation profile.

Module 6: Bottling & Labelling

The final compliance and structural decisions. Navigate the essential rules of proofing, chill-filtration, coloring, and specific labeling requirements that define an authentic American Single Malt.

Module 7: Sensory

Connecting progressive flavor profiles back to production science. Through guided technical analysis, you will learn to identify the vibrant aroma and flavor benchmarks of the category, linking them directly back to raw materials, distillation, and wood management.

Final Assessment

Upon completion of the final assessment (50 questions, multiple choice format), you'll be able to download both an EWA digital completion certificate and digital badge for immediate sharing. A printed copy and physical purple lapel pin are available upon request.

This course is for people who want more from American whiskey.

• The Enthusiast
  You already appreciate American whiskey or single malts, but you want to dive deep into the exciting, innovative intersection where these two worlds meet.
• Hospitality & Retail Professionals
  You want to confidently pitch, describe, and sell this rapidly growing premium category, moving past generic terms to explain the true craft value to your customers.
• The Curious Beginner
  You want a rock-solid, official foundation in a modern whiskey category right as it shapes the future of global spirits culture.
• Industry Professionals
  You want structured, definitive knowledge, backed directly by the ASMWC, that clearly connects raw agricultural choices, production innovations, and regional maturation climates into a coherent professional framework.

For our in-person masterclasses, we curate an exceptional selection of expressions tailored to elevate your technical understanding.

Our classroom-based masterclasses bring you face-to-face with the liquid, providing an immersive, shared sensory environment where global industry standards are taught right at your table. Rather than simply memorizing tasting notes, you will analyze each glass in real time, guided step-by-step to understand the precise science, wood chemistry, and production decisions behind why each whiskey tastes the way it does.

Featured Flight Styles for Technical Analysis:

• The Foundational Craft Style: Analyzing the core profile of 100% malted barley distilled at a single US distillery, establishing the category’s baseline character.

• New Charred American Oak: Exploring the bold, intense extraction of vanillin and wood sugars driven by virgin oak maturation—the classic American signature.

• Alternative Wood & Cask Finishes: Deciphering the modern chemistry behind unique secondary maturations, from ex-bourbon and sherry to creative craft beer and wine cask finishes.

• Regional Climate Influences: Evaluating how extreme temperature swings and diverse microclimates across different US states accelerate maturation and alter spirit interaction.

• Peated & Smoked Innovations: Dissecting the sensory impact of alternative kilning sciences, including traditional peat and uniquely American wood-smoked malts (like mesquite or applewood).