Blog
Alumni
EWA Alumni: Toby Darling
Toby Darling currently works as a Market Support Representative for an alcohol wholesaler. With a professional backgr...
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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. ...
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Explainer: Toasting
While toasting might conjure up images of raising a glass in celebration, in the Scotch whisky world, it refers to a ...
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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.
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Feature
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...
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The Evolution of the Pot Still in Scotland by Iain Russell, Part 2
The calculation of Excise Duty based on still capacity was discontinued in the UK at the beginning of the 19th centur...
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Kirsty McKerrow: Charting the Future of Edinburgh Whisky Academy
Having completed the Online Diploma in Single Malt Whisky in 2021, Robert Abad asked to interview Kirsty McKerrow as part of the EWA 10th anniversary celebrations.
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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.
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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 ...
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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...
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Opinion
What Does It Take to Sell American Single Malt Whiskey to the World?
To celebrate The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) officially recognising American Single Malt as a distinct whiskey category, we have decided to release a video discussion from our Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey course.
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Why is Everyone So Excited About American Single Malt Whiskey?
In February 2024, we were lucky enough to attend the ASMWC members’ meeting in Denver, Colorado. We asked attendees what they love about the new category of American single malt and what makes it so exciting.
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Old, Older, Oldest? Iain Russell unpicks tales from the Scotch whisky industry
Marketers cannot resist an opportunity to bestow the title ‘first’ or ‘oldest’ upon their whisky brand’s distillery. ...
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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.
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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...
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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....
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