Whiskey University has Instructors in the Columbia Metro Area:

Map of Tennessee with Davidson County highlighted in red.

The Southern Middle Tennessee Faculty services the areas of Maury County, Tennessee (101,590)Marshall County, Tennessee (33,683) in the Columbia Metro Area.

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Whiskey University’s Faculty

  • Professor Colonel Jim Ross

  • Professor Colonel Dale Robinson

  • Professor Lt.Col. Carl Ingrum

  • Professor Lt.Col. Christopher Hart

  • Professor Lt.Col. Troy Rubert

  • Maj. Dakota Mercer

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Professor Colonel Jim Ross

   Email address:     Jim@WhiskeyUniv.com

Whiskey University Partner

Member of the Board of Directors

A man in a suit holding a framed whiskey degree certificate in a liquor store with shelves of whiskey bottles behind him.

Whiskey University Recruiter

Professor Jim Ross has been a member of Whiskey University since early 2019. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Jim earned his Bourbon Diploma on April 21st, 2019.

Major Ross is a Financial Planner in Columbia, Tennessee. Jim was born in October 1955 in Columbia, Tennessee. He still lives in Columbia, Tennessee and is married and has three adult children.

Jim was one of the first thirty students to earn his Associate Degree after passing 15 classes on November 18th, 2019 and earning the title of a “Certified Bourbon Taster.” Jim taught his first class on June 25th, 2020 when he taught the ”LuxCo Brands/Lux Row Distillery Tasting Class.” On August 13th, 2020 Jim earned his Bachelor of Science Degree with 24 classes, at Whiskey University. Then on November 20th, 2020 Jim earned the title of "Master Bourbon Taster" earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree and the rank of Captain in the Bourbon Brigade.

Jim became only the twenty second graduate student to earn his Masters of Science Degree after successfully completing his 55th class on August 12th 2021, the title of "Chartered Master Bourbon Taster" and the rank of Major in the Bourbon Brigade. Whiskey University elected Professor Jim Ross the prestigious position of “Venue Relations Committee Chairman” nationwide and duly holds the position in the committee as Venue Relations Champion for Northeast U.S. States.

My bourbon journey turned from a curiosity to a passion several years ago. Now, "there are so many things I love about bourbon, the different aromas, varying flavor profiles, and the rich history surrounding it. I love the light feel of a Glencairn and the heaviness in my hand of a good old-fashioned crystal glass filled with a translucent caramel-colored liquid of varying shades . What I love most about bourbon, however, is that it is for sharing, particularly with good friends and the making of good times."

Jim has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

Tennessee Colonel

(Aide de Camp to the Governor of the State of Tennessee)

Chartered Master Whiskey Taster

(from Whiskey University)

Certified Bourbon Steward

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

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A graduation cap and diploma with the text 'Master of Arts Degree' on a brown background.
Whiskey University diploma awarded to Jim Ross for Master of Arts Degree with a Double Major in Tennessee Whiskey Region and Whiskey Row Region, titled Senior Chartered Master Bourbon Taster, signed by the dean, with images of whiskey bottles on the sides.
Four circles with text listing golf club names and their enrollment status. The first circle says 'MAKER'S MARK NOT ENROLLED,' the second 'TENNE SQUIRE NOT ENROLLED,' the third '5 KEYS CLUB NOT ENROLLED,' and the fourth 'COOPERS CLUB NOT ENROLLED.'
Six gray circles with black text inside, listing groups not enrolled: Whisk Thieves, Kings Circle, Whis Society, Family Tree, Whisk Baron, High West.

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Certified Bourbon Professional, Council of Whiskey Masters

Bona Fide Whiskey Enthusiast, the Wizard Academy

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Professor Col. Dale Robinson

   Email address:     Dale@WhiskeyUniv.com

Whiskey University Partner

Member of the Board of Directors

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Whiskey University Recruiter

Professor Dale Robinson has been a member of Whiskey University since Mid 2016. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Dale earned his Bourbon Diploma on October 26th, 2016.

Dale is an Environmental Manager III at the Division of Underground Storage Tanks in the Department of Environment for the State of Tennessee. Robinson is also an Honorary Colonel, Aide de Camp on the Governor of the State of Tennessee Staff since October 1979. Colonel Dale Robinson was born in July 1962 and was raised in Lynnville, Tennessee which is in Giles County. Dale graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1985. He currently a resident of Columbia, Tennessee. Dale has three adult children Andrew Robinson, Eli Robinson and McKayla Deridder.

Dale was also the fourth student to earn his Associate Degree after passing 15 classes on September 27th, 2017. Robinson is also a Recruiter for Whiskey University. Dale taught his first class on October 4th, 2018 when he taught the “Wild Turkey Tasting” he also teaches Bourbon 201, “Bourbon Founders” and the “Bluegrass Region.” On August 9th, 2018 Robinson earned his Bachelors of Science Degree with 24 classes, at Whiskey University and the title of "Certified Master Bourbon Taster" and the rank of Captain in the Bourbon Brigade.

Dale became only the third graduate student to earn his Masters of Arts Degree (our Highest Degree) after successfully completing his 40th class on September 26th 2019, the title of "Senior Chartered Master Bourbon Taster" and the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Bourbon Brigade. Whiskey University appointed Professor Dale Osborne the Brigade’s Wild Turkey Brands Specialist.

In July 2020 Colonel Robinson accepted the appointment as “The Bluegrass Region Department Head” at Whiskey University. He is one of only five of the faculty’s Department Heads.

Dale has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

Tennessee Colonel

(Aide de Camp to the Governor of the State of Tennessee)

Senior Chartered Master Bourbon Taster

(from Whiskey University)

Certified Bourbon Steward

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Image of a Master of Arts Degree certificate with a gold and black border and the text 'Master of Arts Degree' at the bottom.
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Four circles with the names of golf clubs: Maker's Mark, Tenn Squire, 5 Keys Club, and Coopers Club. All circles contain the text 'Not Enrolled' underneath the club names.
Six gray circles with text inside, listing groups not enrolled: Whisk Thieves, Kings Circle, Whis Society, Family Tree, Whisk Baron, High West.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Band of Rebels Member with LuxCo/Rebel Yell

Rare Breed Society Member with Wild Turkey

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Professor Lt. Col. Carl Ingrum

   Email address:     Carl@WhiskeyUniv.com

Whiskey University Partner

Member of the Board of Directors

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Whiskey University Recruiter

Professor Carl Ingrum has been a member of Whiskey University beginning in July 2016. It was also in 2016 when Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Carl was only the second student to earn his Bourbon Diploma on July 13th, 2016.

Ingrum is the owner of Mid Tennessee Communications. Carl Ingrum was born in June 1979 and was born and raised in Columbia, Tenesseee which is in Maury County. He currently a resident of Columbia, Tennessee. Lt. Colonel Ingrum is married to Pricilla Duncan Ingrum and has an adult daughter Madison Ingrum.

Carl was the second student to earn his Associate Degree after passing 15 classes on December 14th, 2016. Ingrum is also a Recruiter for Whiskey University. Professor Carl taught his first class on January 24th, 2019 when he taught the “Heaven Hill Brands Basic Tasting” he also teaches Bourbon 201, Bourbon Founders and the Heaven Hill Advanced (Part 1) Tasting. On February 22nd, 2018 Ingrum became the first student at Whiskey University to earn his Bachelors of Science Degree with 24 classes, the title of "Certified Master Bourbon Taster" and the rank of Captain in the Bourbon Brigade.

Carl was also the first student to earn his Masters of Arts Degree (our Highest Degree) after successfully completing his 40th class from Whiskey University on April 13th 2019, the title of "Senior Chartered Master Bourbon Taster" and the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Bourbon Brigade. Whiskey University elected Professor Carl Ingrum one of two of the Brigade’s Heaven Hill Brands Specialist. In August 2021 Carl was elected as Whiskey University’s “Mechandising Committee Chairman”

Carl has the following Credentials:

Chartered Master Whiskey Taster

(from Whiskey University)

Certified Bourbon Steward

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

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A graduation cap and diploma on a wooden desk with a tablet and a pair of glasses. Text reading 'Master of Arts Degree' at the bottom.
A humorous degree certificate from Whiskey University awarded to Carl Ingram for a Master in Arts Degree with a Double Major in the Tennessee Region and the Whiskey Row Region, featuring images of whiskey bottles and a Whiskey University seal.
Four groups of golf club membership cards with labels for Maker's Mark, Tenn Squire, 5 Keys Club, and Coopers Club, each marked 'Not Enrolled'.
Six gray circles containing black text, listing names of groups not enrolled: Whisk Thieves, Kings Circle, Whis Society, Family Tree, Whisk Baron, High West.

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Band of Rebels Member with LuxCo/Rebel Yell

Wild Turkey’s Rare Breed Society Member

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Professor Lt. Col. Christopher Hart

   Email address:     Chris.Hart@WhiskeyUniv.com

Whiskey University Partner

Member of the Board of Directors

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Whiskey University Recruiter

Professor Christopher Hart has been a member of Whiskey University since January 2017. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Chris earned his Bourbon Diploma on July 13th, 2017.

Lt. Col. Hart is a Director in the Data Management & Business Intelligence Division at H. C. A. Healthcare. Chris Hart was born in December 1985 in Nashville, Tennessee. He now lives in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Chris is married to Elizabeth Wren Hart. Hart graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems at Middle Tennessee State University.

Christopher was one of the first ten students to earn his Associate Degree after passing 15 classes on November 9th, 2017. Chris taught his first class on February 28th, 2019 when he taught the “Jim Beam Basic Tasting” he also teaches “Tennessee Whiskey 202” and Jim Beam (Advanced Part 1) “The Jim Beam Line.” On April 20th, 2018 Hart earned his Bachelor of Science Degree with 24 classes, at Whiskey University and the title of "Master Bourbon Taster" and the rank of Captain in the Bourbon Brigade.

Christopher became only the fifth graduate student to earn his Masters of Arts Degree (our Highest Degree) after successfully completing his 40th class from Whiskey University on October 17th 2019, the title of "Senior Chartered Master Bourbon Taster" and the rank of Major in the Bourbon Brigade. Whiskey University elected Professor Christopher Hart one of two of the Brigade’s Jim Beam Brands Specialist.

In August 2021 Colonel Hart accepted the appointment as “The Bourbon Capital Region Department Head” at Whiskey University. He is one of only five of the faculty’s Department Heads.

Chris has the following “Designations” &Credentials:

Senior Chartered Master Bourbon Taster

(from Whiskey University)

Certified Bourbon Steward

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

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Band of Rebels Member with LuxCo/Rebel Yell

Rare Breed Society Member with Wild Turkey

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Brown graduation plaque with a black center and silver border, labeled "Master of Arts Degree" at the bottom
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Four circles with text: 'Maker's Mark - Not Enrolled', 'Tenn Squire - Not Enrolled', '5 Keys Club - Not Enrolled', 'Coopers Club - Not Enrolled'.
Six circles with text inside, names of groups with 'not enrolled' status

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Band of Rebels Member with LuxCo/Rebel Yell

Rare Breed Society Member with Wild Turkey

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A smiling man holding a framed certificate from Whiskey University, standing in front of shelves filled with various bottles of whiskey.

Whiskey University Recruiter

Professor Troy Rubert has been a member of Whiskey University since early 2017. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Troy earned his Bourbon Diploma on May 25th, 2017.

Lt. Colonel Rubert is the Chief Information Officer at Nashville Computer in Nashville. Troy Rubert was born in March 1968 in Dyersburg, Tennessee. He is now a resident of Columbia, Tennessee and is married to Lori Eubank Rubert. He has two adult children that also live in Columbia in Caleb Rubert and Mackenzie Rubert.

Troy was the fifth student to earn his Associate Degree after passing 15 classes on February 22nd, 2018 and he is also a Recruiter for Whiskey University. Rubert taught his first class on June 27th, 2019 when he taught the “Brown-Forman Tasting Class” he also teaches Bourbon 201 and “Bourbon Founders.” On August 9th, 2018 Rubert earned his Bachelors of Science Degree with 24 classes, at Whiskey University and the title of "Master Bourbon Taster" and the rank of Captain in the Bourbon Brigade.

Troy became only the ninth graduate student to earn his Masters of Science Degree after successfully completing his 42nd class on September 24th 2020 along with the title of "Senior Chartered Master Bourbon Taster" and the rank of Lt. Colonel in the Bourbon Brigade. Whiskey University elected Professor Troy Rubert one of two of the Brigade’s Brown-Forman Brands Specialist.

Troy Has The Following “Designations”& Credentials:

Senior Chartered Master Bourbon Taster

(from Whiskey University)

Certified Bourbon Steward

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A digital badge framed in gold and gray with black central area, labeled 'Master of Arts Degree' at the bottom.
A whiskey-themed university diploma for Troy Rubert, awarding a Master in Arts Degree with a Double Major in The Tennessee Region and Whiskey Beer. The diploma includes images of whiskey bottles and a whiskey glass, with ornate borders and a gold emblem with the initials W and U.

Professor Lt. Col. Troy Rubert

   Email address:     Troy.Rubert@WhiskeyUniv.com

Whiskey University Partner

Member of the Board of Directors

Four golf scorecards from different clubs, all indicating not enrolled.
Seven circular icons with names and enrollment status: Whisk Thieves - Not Enrolled, Kings Circle - Not Enrolled, Whis Society - Not Enrolled, Family Tree - Not Enrolled, Whisk Baron - Not Enrolled, High West - Not Enrolled.

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Band Of Rebels Member With LuxCo/Rebel Yell

Rare Breed Society Member With Wild Turkey

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Maj. Dakota Mercer

Dakota has the following “Designations” and Credentials:

Chartered Master Whiskey Taster

(from Whiskey University)

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A collection of four overlapping circles, each with text inside. The circles from left to right are labeled 'MAKER'S MARK', 'TEN SQUIRE', '5 KEYS CLUB', and 'COOPERS CLUB'. Each circle has the words 'NOT ENROLLED' below its label.
Six gray circles with text inside, listing various groups: Whisk Thieves Not Enrolled, Kings Circle Not Enrolled, Whis Society Not Enrolled, Family Tree Not Enrolled, Whisk Baron Not Enrolled, High West Not Enrolled.
A black chalkboard with a brown border and the text 'Master of Science Degree' written in white at the bottom.
A diploma from Whiskey University awarded to Dakota Mercer for completing 55 courses, conferring the title of Chartered Master Bourbon Taster. The diploma features decorative borders, university logos, and signatures.


Cities or towns in this service area for Bourbon and Whiskey Tasting Classes include Columbia, TN; Spring Hill, TN; Mt. Pleasant, TN; Culleoka, TN; Hampshire, TN; Santa Fe, TN; Williamsport, TN; Lewisburg, TN; Chapel Hill, TN; Cornersville, TN; Petersburg, TN; Hohenwald, TN; Centerville, TN; Duck River, TN; Primm Springs, TN; Lyles, TN; Bon Aqua, TN; Only, TN; and Nunnelly, TN.