Blog
Alumni
EWA Alumni: Toby Darling
Toby Darling currently works as a Market Support Representative for an alcohol wholesaler. With a professional backgr...
Read more
EWA Alumni: Martijn van Opstal
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm a 34-year-old whisky enthusiast who decided to turn his passion into his career. ...
Read more
EWA Alumni: Xiaoyan Tao Lenz
How did you first discover whisky?
I discovered whisky from my job, working in a Swiss distillery (Säntis Malt Braue...
Read more
Definition
Whisky Words: Drum Maltings
Drum maltings are modern malting vessels that rotate to stir the germinating barley. Unlike traditional floor malting, these pneumatic drums automate the process – efficient and consistent.
Read more
Whisky Words: ABV
ABV = Alcohol by Volume. Whether in cask or bottle, this number tells us how strong a whisky is. A vital metric for distillers, blenders and drinkers alike.
Read more
Whisky Words: Tannins
Tannins are oak compounds responsible for the dry, sometimes astringent notes in whisky. European oak tends to release more tannins than American oak – a key flavour distinction.
Read more
Explainer
How is Scotch whisky made? A Step-by-Step Guide
While each distillery in Scotland will have their own nuances regarding production, malt Scotch whisky is made through a meticulous process that typically involves six key steps.
Read more
Explainer: Toasting
While toasting might conjure up images of raising a glass in celebration, in the Scotch whisky world, it refers to a ...
Read more
Michael Walsh on Edinburgh Whisky Academy’s Irish Whiskey Flavour Wheel
Our Irish Whiskey Flavour Wheel offers a guided journey through the sensory delights of the category and prompts conversation with either yourself or others as Michael Walsh explains in this video.
Read more
Feature
A Golden Age: the Reinvention of Scotch Whisky in the 20th Century
Scotch whisky emerged into a changed world: new tastes, new wealth, new anxieties and, once again, the risk of repeating its own history.
Read more
Why a Whisky Educator with 20 Years' Experience Chose the EWA Diploma
After more than 20 years in the whisky industry and a long list of respected qualifications to his name, Dan Crowell ...
Read more
How 19th Century Innovations Built the Modern Scotch Whisky Industry
If the 1823 Excise Act gave the Scotch whisky industry a framework, it was the innovations of the 19th century that g...
Read more
Jobs
Meet the Maker: Matthew Paterson, Malt Man at The Balvenie
We recently visited The Balvenie Distillery to film some updated explainer videos for our Certificate in Scotch Whisk...
Read more
Whisky Jobs… Gillian Kirkland on being a Bar Owner
Edinburgh Whisky Alumni Gillian Kirkland runs The Piper Bar in Glasgow. We asked her to tell us more about the day-to...
Read more
Whisky Jobs… Gary Taylor on being a Cooper
As a cooper at Speyside Cooperage, it’s Gary Taylor’s job to check, repair and re-finish casks of all descriptions,...
Read more
News
Autumn Diploma Roadshow Across New York, Kentucky and London
We're excited to announce an ambitious international series of in-person Diploma in Single Malt Whisky classes for Autumn 2026, with back-to-back courses taking place in New York, Kentucky and London.
Read more
New Membership Offer with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society America
We’re excited to share details of a new partnership that brings together whisky education and whisky exploration. If ...
Read more
From Istanbul to Chicago: EWA’s Global Whisky Courses in May 2026
Our global programme of in-person courses continues in May, with Approved Course Providers delivering expert-led whis...
Read more
Opinion
A Good Whisky Tasting is About Much More Than What's in the Glass
The best whisky tastings are full of conversation, laughter and shared discoveries. We asked some of our teachers and contributing experts to share a memorable whisky tasting moment.
Read more
"How Do I Notice More Flavours?" Advice From Whisky Experts
Many people assume that experienced tasters have a naturally gifted nose or an encyclopaedic knowledge of flavour. But it's actually simpler than that.
Read more
The Biggest Misconceptions About Whisky Tasting (And Why You Shouldn't Worry About Getting It Wrong)
For something that's supposed to be enjoyable, whisky tasting can sometimes feel surprisingly intimidating.
Should yo...
Read more
Whisky Myths
Does a Darker Whisky Mean More Flavour?
It might be tempting to think that a darker whisky is automatically richer in flavour than a lighter one but that’s not necessarily true.
Read more
Whisky myths: Drink it neat or not at all, right?
Wrong! How you enjoy your whisky is entirely up to you. If you prefer it neat, drink it neat. If you like to add wate...
Read more
Whisky myths: Does blend = bad?
No, it does not! Seemingly one of the hardest whisky myths to shake is that blended whisky is of an inferior quality....
Read more
