Sensory Certification at SMWS Queen Street, Edinburgh

Last week we had the pleasure of delivering the first Certificate in Sensory Appreciation in Edinburgh. Hosted in the Pip Hills Room at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) Queen Street, it was an fitting setting for a course focused on flavour, perception and experience.

Until now, the Sensory course has been taught exclusively by our global network of Approved Course Providers. However, the growing demand for practical, in-person learning and guided support to better understand whisky tasting made us think it was time to bring this experience home.

We were joined by a deeply engaged and enthusiastic group of candidates. Eighty-five percent were returning EWA learners; 62% had completed three or more EWA courses, and nearly half were already Diploma in Single Malt Whisky graduates. Most were UK-based (with a strong Scottish contingent!), alongside European candidates from Italy and Germany.

The day was led by EWA teachers Vic Cameron and Gordon Steele, whose combined experience and approachable teaching style set the tone perfectly. As Vic later summed it up: “Super day, made super easy by enthusiastic bunch of candidates - thanks guys.”

Through structured nosing and tasting, open discussion and a series of sensory experiments, candidates were encouraged to explore whisky in their own way, while developing the tools to go further.

As candidate Matt Doogue reflected: “A course that allows you to explore whisky in your own way, but teaches you the skills to expand on what you find… From nosing, tasting, and a few experiments too, this course is fit for amateurs and enthusiasts alike.”

Conversation flowed easily around the room:

• How do our notes compare and why do they differ?
• How does the brain associate flavour, memory and expectation?

There were no “correct” answers... just a deeper understanding of the process.

We were also exceptionally well looked after by Kyle and the team at SMWS Queen Street, with terrific hospitality and an excellent lunch that kept the energy high during the day which included plenty of whisky samples.

Perhaps most encouraging of all was the number of returning candidates illustrating that the learning journey doesn’t end with formal qualifications or achieving the Diploma. If anything, it is only the beginning! Candidate Camillo Fedeli described the day as “an amazing experience that every enthusiast should join”, while Kevin Blair added, “Thanks to the two amazing instructors.”

We’re delighted to say that we’ll be returning to SMWS Queen Street to deliver the Certificate in Sensory Appreciation again on Saturday 9 May 2026.
Full details and booking information are available here. 

Photography courtesy of Matt Doogue, who excellently captured the spirit of the day!