May 16, 2025 — More than 40 members and candidates of THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS, a global body dedicated to whisk(e)y education, convened at Garrison Brothers Distillery in Texas Hill Country to conduct the annual Master examinations and to name newly confirmed Masters in the Scotch and Bourbon specialties, as well as a new generation of Masters of Whiskey named by the Council for their global whiskey knowledge.
The international judging panel included current Masters as well as Council board members. Many industry veterans have served on the Council’s board of advisors since its founding in 2019, including Steve Beal, Dave Broom, Martin Duffy, Sébastien Gavillet, Monique Huston, Charles MacLean, Becky Offringa, Hans Offringa, Martin Duffy, Tobias Gorn, Paul Pacult, Peggy Noe Stevens, Arthur Nägele, Andy Watts, and current chairman of the board Bernhard Schäfer. Further, over the past year, the following whiskey authorities have joined the Council’s board as well: Rachel Barrie, John Campbell, Susan Reigler, Stefan van Eycken, Nancy Fraley, Stephanie Macleod, and Michael D’Souza.
The 2025 examinations included intense blind tastings, in-depth oral theory exams, as well as essays on a wide range of topics. Candidates were reviewed on all aspects of their chosen specialization, covering history, production, all major distilleries, knowledge of the trade, tasting competence, regulations and standards of identity, and more.
Judges evaluated all candidates independently and elected new Masters based upon agreed standards developed and consistently upheld by the Council. To become a candidate in the Master program, individuals must first pass the first and second levels of the program through remote study. The study program is open to all individuals worldwide, and enrollment details are available at www.WhiskeyMasters.org.
THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS is pleased to announce the following exceptionally talented and dedicated professionals as new Masters:
- James Ball, Master of Whisky
- Octavio Bernal, Master of Scotch
- William Breeden, Master of Bourbon
- Will Breslaw, Master of Whisky
- Andy Cartin, Master of Bourbon
- Mark Griffith, Master of Whisky
- Chase Henry, Master of Whiskey
- Jeffrey LaBelle, Master of Scotch
- Kevin Malta, Master of Whiskey
- Megan Sawkar, Master of Scotch
- Siddharth Sawkar, Master of Bourbon
- Robert Späth, Master of Scotch
- Bethne Stewart, Master of Bourbon
- Justin Strumpfer, Master of Whiskey
- Jamie Wen, Master of Scotch
- Andy Westley, Master of Whisky
(The Council encourages program graduates to choose their preferred spelling of the word “whisk(e)y,” consistent with their specialization)
Candidates who did not pass the exams this year are encouraged to continue in their studies and will be supported and mentored by the Council toward success in later examinations.
It was also announced that Keeper of the Quaich Monique Huston, Vice President of Spirits at Winebow, will be the new Chairwoman of the Board starting January of 2026. Ms Huston thereby will succeed successful terms leadership terms by fellow Keepers of the Quaich Steve Beal, Bernhard Schäfer, and Martin Duffy.
THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS currently consists of more than 80 full members worldwide. Since its inception in 2019, the Council has developed and supported many thousands of certification examinees, from more than 50 countries.
The next Master exams will take place in 2026 in the Scottish Highlands at a leading distillery. Enrollment is open now.
All program and contact information can be found at www.WhiskeyMasters.org
The full list of Council members is published at www.whiskeymasters.org/whiskey-masters
