A Brilliant Start for the Belgian Whisky Academy
We’re delighted to celebrate a fantastic milestone for Luc Vandeputte and the Belgian Whisky Academy team, which became a Silver, Level 1 Approved Course Provider for Edinburgh Whisky Academy earlier this year.
Since September Luc, together with the Belgian Whisky Academy Board, Whisky writer and Keeper of the Quaich Fernand Dacquin, Brewery-Distillery Director Louis Schrevens and Head Brewer-Distiller Luc Pauwels, have made an outstanding start. In just a few months, they have delivered four Certificate in Scotch Whisky courses in Belgium, successfully guiding 26 candidates towards achieving the SQA-Approved certification. It’s an impressive achievement and a clear sign of both the appetite for structured whisky education in Belgium and the quality of Luc’s teaching.
Based at the Craywinckelhof brewery and distillery in Lubbeek, Luc and the Belgian Whisky Academy team benefit from an excellent learning environment. The combination of a working drinks site, professional facilities and an atmosphere rooted in production makes it an ideal setting for whisky lovers and drinks professionals to deepen their understanding of Scotch whisky.
That impact is clearly reflected in candidate feedback. One participant described the course as “a valuable experience to get deeper insight into the world of whisky,” while another highlighted the clarity of the teaching, noting, “We had a very good teacher who explained everything very clearly. It was fascinating to look more in depth at the specific steps in whisky distilling and the effect they have on the end product.” For experienced whisky enthusiasts, the course also adds a new dimension, with one candidate commenting that it “helped to build a deeper understanding of what actually happens at each stage, changing the way I’ll look at future distillery visits.”
Reflecting on Luc’s rapid progress, Kirsty McKerrow, Managing Director of Edinburgh Whisky Academy, commented: “Luc has shown tremendous initiative. To complete the Diploma in Single Malt Whisky and then be up and running as an Approved Course Provider just six months later is no small feat. It speaks volumes about his commitment to whisky education and his enthusiasm for sharing that knowledge with others.”
With further Certificate in Scotch Whisky courses already scheduled for February and March 2026, the momentum shows no sign of slowing. We’re thrilled to see the Belgian Whisky Academy going from strength to strength and are proud to support them as they continue to build a hub for high-quality whisky education in Belgium.
Congratulations to Luc and the Belgian Whisky Academy team, we look forward to seeing what comes next.
