Our Team
At Edinburgh Whisky Academy, you'll learn from the best in the business. Our team (Management, Teachers, Contributors and Approved Course Providers) come from all corners of the whisky world, with hands-on experience, infectious passion and stories worth sharing.
Management Team
Kirsty McKerrow • Founder & Managing Director
Founder of the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, Kirsty McKerrow brings deep industry roots, brand ambassador experience, and a passion for raising the standard of whisky education.
Ian McKerrow • Head of Finance & International Development
A finance expert with deep whisky roots, Ian co-founded Hong Kong’s first whisky festival before returning to Scotland to lead finance and brand partnerships at the Academy.
Heather Smith • Digital Marketing Manager
Heather combines digital marketing experience with a background in journalism and arts communications to manage the Academy’s content, website and social media.
Kyle N. McHugh • Market Director, Americas
With 25+ years in the drinks industry, Kyle leads the Academy’s growth in the Americas, drawing on a global career spanning bartending, brand education, judging and advocacy.
Feng Guo • Account Manager, China
Based in Scotland with roots in China, Feng helps grow the Academy’s presence across the Chinese market, drawing on her academic background and cultural fluency.
Malcolm Todd • Mentor & Strategist
Malcolm combines whisky industry heritage with business expertise, serving as a trusted advisor to the Academy’s leadership team.
Teachers & Contributors
Vic Cameron • Teacher & Contributing Expert, Scotch Whisky
With 20+ years experience in the Scotch whisky industry, Vic brings technical expertise, heartfelt enthusiasm and good humour to whisky education.
Dr Gordon Steele • Teacher & Contributing Expert, Scotch Whisky
A whisky scientist with global reach, Gordon blends technical depth with teaching clarity. Former Director of the Scotch Whisky Research Institute (SWRI), he now advises distilleries worldwide.
Matt Healy • Contributing Expert, Irish Whiskey
Matt supports independent whiskey brands and spreads the word through his blog and podcast, Potstilled.
Fionnán O’Connor • Contributing Expert, Irish Whiskey
Fionnán brings together history, research, and industry insight to champion Irish whiskey. Author of A Glass Apart, he is a leading voice in Irish pot still whiskey.
Geraldine Coates • Teacher & Contributing Expert, Gin
Geraldine is one of the UK’s leading voices on gin, with decades of writing, teaching and judging behind her.
Martine Nouet • Contributing Expert, Sensory Appreciation
A Master of the Quaich and food-whisky pairing pioneer, Martine brings flavour and finesse to whisky writing.
Iain Russell • Whisky Writer & Contributing Expert, Scotch Whisky
Iain’s work as a whisky writer and archivist spans three decades and multiple iconic brands. He established the Chivas Brothers archive in the 1990s and was Heritage Manager at Glenmorangie from 2008 to 2020.
Richard Woodard • Whisky Writer & Contributing Expert, Scotch Whisky
Former Scotchwhisky.com editor Richard Woodard is a respected voice in spirits journalism.
Gavin D. Smith • Whisky Historian & Contributing Expert, Scotch Whisky
One of whisky’s most prolific writers and historians, Gavin has authored over 30 books and holds the title of Master of the Quaich.
Michael Moss • Whisky Historian & Contributing Expert, Scotch Whisky
The late Professor Michael Moss was a revered whisky historian and author of The Making of Scotch Whisky.
John Ramsay • Malt Master & Contributing Expert, Scotch Whisky
Former Edrington Master Blender John Ramsay brings decades of hands-on blending experience to our courses.
Pete Robson • Master Maltster & Contributing Expert, Scotch Whisky
With over 30 years in malting, Pete is one of the UK’s most respected barley experts.
Steve Hawley • Contributing Expert, American Single Malt
As President of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC), Steve is at the forefront of defining and promoting the category across the USA and beyond.
Joe O'Sullivan • Master Distiller & Contributing Expert, American Single Malt
Joseph brings deep distilling expertise to the course, shaped by years of innovation in American single malt production and a commitment to craft.
Tyler Pederson • Master Distiller & Contributing Expert, American Single Malt
At Westland, Tyler helps lead one of the category’s pioneering distilleries, known for its Pacific Northwest ingredients and forward-thinking approach to malt.
Jared Himstedt • Head Distiller & Contributing Expert, American Single Malt
Jared is the founding head distiller at Balcones in Texas, where he’s pushed the boundaries of American single malt with bold flavours and experimental techniques.
Murphy Quint • Master Distiller & Contributing Expert, American Single Malt
A third-generation whiskey maker, Murphy combines heritage and innovation to produce award-winning American single malts in the heart of Iowa.
Matt Hoffman • Consultant & Contributing Expert, American Single Malt
Former Master Distiller at Westland and a founding voice in the category, Matt now supports distilleries and educators through consulting and advocacy work.
Clay Risen • Journalist & Contributing Expert, American Single Malt
A contributing writer to The New York Times and author of American Whiskey, Bourbon & Rye, Clay brings a journalist’s lens to the evolution of the American single malt story.
Approved Course Providers
Gold • Level 2
Hong Kong • Hong Kong Wine Academy • Louis Lee • Micky Chan
Louis & Micky are veteran wine and spirits educators, blending WSET-accredited expertise with a deep passion for Asian whisky culture. Hong Kong Wine Academy is a leading light for formal drinks education in the region.
Puerto Rico • Academia de Whisky • Joe Cabassa
Joe is a pioneering voice for whisky education in Latin America, known for his engaging delivery and efforts to grow the whisky community across Puerto Rico and beyond.
Türkiye • Uzkeba • Yiğit Akdemir
Founder of Uzkeba, Yiğit combines a scientific background with storytelling flair to make whisky education accessible and inspiring throughout Türkiye.
UAE, Dubai • Barrels & Beyond • Bharat Rathore
Bharat is a certified whisky expert and entrepreneur bringing world-class spirits education to the heart of Dubai’s hospitality and enthusiast scene.
Silver • Level 1
Canada, Vancouver • Statera Academy • Keith Nicholson
With a background in hospitality and distilling, Keith runs Statera Academy to support balanced, structured spirits education across Canada.
France • TerraRhona • Guillaume Reynaud
Guillaume leads TerraRhona with a dedication to terroir and flavour, bridging France’s culinary heritage with a passion for whisky education.
Lebanon, Syria, Jordan & Iraq • Levant Whisky Academy • Samer Abi Farah
Samer is a respected voice in Middle Eastern whisky circles, creating engaging, culturally relevant training experiences for curious learners across the Levant.
Spain, Madrid • 9 Smoking Barrels • Samantha De Noia
Samantha brings energy and creativity to whisky education, running tastings and training sessions that demystify whisky for Spain’s growing audience.
Spain • More than Wines • Miguel Moreno • Esther Medina-Cuesta
This dynamic duo combines expertise in wine and spirits to deliver immersive whisky education, blending technical knowledge with Spanish hospitality.
Singapore • The Beverage Clique • Sean Ou
Sean is a certified trainer and leading spirits educator in Southeast Asia, committed to raising the bar for professional drinks training in Singapore.
Taiwan • Spirits & Wisdom • Howard Yu
Howard is a passionate whisky educator and judge who fosters appreciation and knowledge through courses and events across Taiwan.
UK, Gateshead, England • The Distilled Consultant • Lee Conner
Lee is an industry consultant and educator with a gift for translating technical whisky concepts into engaging, practical learning.
UK, Midlands, England • Barrel & Brand • Kevin Blair
Kevin combines brand-building know-how with a love for whisky education, supporting learners through structured, accessible teaching.
UK, Glasgow, Scotland • The Piper Whisky Bar • Gillian Kirkland
Gillian runs one of Glasgow’s most beloved whisky bars and shares her deep knowledge with warmth, charm, and a dram in hand.
UK, Speyside, Scotland • The Dram Queen • Ann Miller
Known as The Dram Queen, Ann is a former industry insider turned educator, offering rich insights drawn from decades in the heart of Scotch whisky.
USA, Austin, Texas • Whisk(e)y Marketing School • Daniel Whittington
Daniel leads the Whisk(e)y Marketing School at Wizard Academy, merging entrepreneurial insight with whisky mastery in a unique campus setting.
USA, Baltimore, Washington DC • Wandering Whisky Studies • Chris Stevens
Christopher is an independent educator bringing immersive, story-rich whisky learning experiences to the Mid-Atlantic region.
USA, Chicago • Dandelion BevEd • Gina Fossit
Gina is a hospitality professional and whisky advocate, dedicated to supporting confident, knowledgeable drinks professionals through her training sessions.
USA, Dallas, Texas • Copper Widow • Jennifer Thompson • Scott Thompson
his husband-and-wife team blends hospitality, education, and hands-on whisky passion to deliver memorable training across Texas.
USA, Minnesota • Spirited Endeavors • Dan Kujawski
Dan is a spirits educator and sensory expert focused on creating thoughtful, flavour-first whisky learning experiences.
USA, New York • Barrel Strength Talent • Lia Niskanen
Lia is an experienced industry educator, offering tailored learning experiences in the heart of Manhattan.
USA, Virginia • Virginia Wine & Spirits Academy • Tracy Waldron
Tracy leads one of Virginia’s premier drinks training schools, championing high-quality spirits education with a warm, accessible approach.
