True Grist: The American Single Malt Whiskey Experience Launches at Portland Cocktail Week
Last month, Portland Cocktail Week played host to the inaugural True Grist: The American Single Malt Whiskey Experience, a new educational initiative led by Gina Fossitt of Dandelion BevEd and Kyle McHugh, Market Director, Americas for the Edinburgh Whisky Academy.
Designed as a dynamic, in-person learning journey, True Grist brings our Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey course to life over two immersive days of study, tasting, and exploration. The programme blends formal whisky education with hands-on sensory experiences, supported by a roster of industry experts and sponsors who help enrich the classroom with real-world insight and flavour.
The debut class welcomed 38 enthusiastic students, all eager to deepen their understanding of this fast-growing category and to explore what makes ASMW so distinct. From grains and fermentation to cask influence and sensory analysis, participants experienced the depth and diversity of ASMW through guided tastings and expert-led discussions.
Gina Fossitt said: "This is such an exciting time in the ASM category! How lucky are we to see an entire category of whiskey come to life from the beginning?! Now is the time to educate and engage - we all have a role to play as we build together and help it grow!"
Participant S. C. Baker shared her enthusiasm for the launch: “The content was enriching, the whisky was diverse, nuanced and exciting, and this was truly a singular educational experience. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn about this category, to help steward fun and important educational moments for my fellow hospitality community, and to work with such immensely talented friends.”
Following the success of the Portland debut, True Grist is set to become a travelling educational roadshow in 2026, bringing this unique, category specific training to new audiences across the United States. Each stop will combine EWA’s rigorous academic framework with the local expertise and passion of the American single malt whiskey community.
Kirsty McKerrow, our Founder & Managing Director, shared her appreciation for the collaboration: “We are so proud to see the Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey come to life in such an engaging and meaningful way. Huge thanks go to Gina, Kyle, and all the contributing sponsors, experts and partners - including the always excellent team at Lush Life Productions - who helped make the launch of True Grist such a success. Their creativity and dedication are helping to expand the reach and awareness of our qualifications and to celebrate the incredible diversity of the American single malt category.”
As True Grist prepares to hit the road, the excitement around American Single Malt Whiskey and the opportunity to learn about it in depth has never been greater. This is only the beginning of what promises to be an inspiring educational journey across the United States.
