Whiskey University has Instructors in the Tampa Metropolitan Area:

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Our faculty currently serves areas in Hillsborough County, Florida (1,459,762) and Polk County, Florida (724,777); in the Tampa Metropolitan Area.

Whiskey University’s Faculty:

  • Capt. Rick Schmidt

  • Lt.Jr.Grd James Ware, III

  • Pvt. Triston Coats

  • Pvt. Linda Eargle

  • Pvt. Sean Tanner

Whiskey University is also currently looking for Instructors In the Tampa Metropolitan area

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Capt. Rick Schmidt

Rick Has The Following “Designations” & Credentials:

”Master Whiskey Taster”

(from the Whiskey University)

”Executive Bourbon Steward”

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

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A round wooden badge with black text and graphics. It reads 'Member of Maker's Mark Ambassador,' with a central star and the letters 'S IV' inside a circle, surrounded by laurel branches.
Logo for Blade and Bow, a member of the 5 Keys Club, featuring 5 keys inside a circular border with the text 'Established 1935' and 'Stitzel - Weller Distillery'.
Logo for the Blade and Bow 5 Keys Club, featuring a circular design with the text 'Member of Blade and Bow' and an inner circle with five keys and the text 'Stitzel Weller Distillery Established 1935'.
A chart with four circles, each listing different golf clubs and their enrollment status. Maker's Mark, Tenn Squire, 5 Keys Club, and Coopers Club all marked as Not Enrolled.
Six gray circles each with black text inside, listing different groups not enrolled: Whisk Thieves, Kings Circle, Whis Society, Family Tree, Whisk Baron, High West.
Gray plaque with a black rectangular center and the text 'Bachelor of Science Degree' at the bottom.
A humorous whiskey university diploma awarded to Rick Schmidt for earning the title of Master Whiskey Taster, with decorative borders, whiskey barrel emblems, and a Tennessee Whiskey Region emblem.
Logo with text reading "MEMBER OF Whiskey Thieves" and "Sagamore Spirit Rye"
Logo of Wilderness Trail Distillery featuring a tree, the letters WT, and the text "Wilder. Trail. Family Tree."
Text saying 'Member of Wyoming Whiskey' with the Wyoming Whiskey logo and the words 'Whiskey' and 'Baron' underneath.
High West Distillery and Park City, Utah, Member of High West Club
Logo with text 'MEMBER OF Kings Circle THE RIGHT HAND MAN' and the name 'George Remus' below.
Four gray circles, each labeled with names of different golf clubs and the status 'Not Enrolled', including Maker's Mark, Tenn Squire, 5 Keys Club, and Coopers Club.
Wooden circular maker's mark plaque with black text and design, reading "MEMBER OF Maker's Mark AMBASSADOR," featuring a laurel wreath, a star, and the Roman numerals IV.
Logo with text 'Member of Whiskey Thieves' featuring a circular design with black, white, and red elements, and a stylized whiskey glass.
Logo of the Tennessee Squire, a member of Tennessee Squire Association, featuring a horse and rider within a circular badge.
Logo with text 'Member of Blade and Bow 5 Keys Club', featuring a circular design with the Blade and Bow branding and 5 keys in the center.
Membership badge for Coopers Club, part of Nelson's Green Brier Distillery, featuring a green circular logo with gold and white text.
Six circles with text inside listing different groups not enrolled.
A circular emblem with the text 'MEMBER OF HIGH WEST DISTILLERY PARK CITY UTAH DISTILL' surrounding a logo featuring a horseshoe with a mountain range, a mountain peak, and a zigzag line inside.
Seal of Cherry Heaven Hill Distillery with the words 'Member of' above, and 'Bardstown Society' below.
Logo with text: 'Member of Wilderness Trail Distillery' encircling a tree and the letters 'WT' in the center, and additional text 'Wilder. Trail Family Tree' below.
Text-based logo reading "Member of Wyoming Whiskey, Whiskey, Baron" with stylized fonts and colors.
Black circular logo with a gray hand holding a hammer and the text 'King's Circle' around it, and additional text indicating member George Remus.

Lt.Jr.Grd James Ware, III

Jay has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

“Certified Bourbon Taster”

(from Whiskey University)

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

A humorous alumni diploma certificate from Whiskey University, awarded to James Ware III, recognizing completion of bourbon studies. The certificate features images of two whiskey bottles, one Jack Daniel's and one Jim Beam, and a whiskey-themed seal with initials WU.
Four circles with text inside. From left to right: 'Maker's Mark, Not Enrolled'; 'Tenn Squire, Not Enrolled'; '5 Keys Club, Not Enrolled'; 'Coopers Club, Not Enrolled'.
A circular logo with the words 'Member of Whiskey Thieves' and 'SagaMore Spirit Rye' in the center.
Coopers Club membership badge for Nelson's Green Brier Distillery with green and gold circular logo.
Six gray circles with black text inside, listing groups not enrolled in a program: Whisk Thieves, Kings Circle, WHIS Society, Family Tree, Whisk Baron, High West.
Sign with a blackboard and a brown frame, reading "Associate of Science Degree" at the bottom.

Pvt. Linda Eargle

Linda has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

“Apprentice Whiskey Taster”

(from Whiskey University)

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A blank certification card with a black rectangle in the center, gray border, and text at the bottom reading "Bourbon Whiskey Certificate."
Certificate of completion from Whiskey University awarded to Linda Eargle for a Bourbon Whiskey Certificate in General Whiskey Studies, dated September 7, 2025, with Whiskey University logos and a signature.

Pvt. Sean Tanner

Sean has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

“Apprentice Bourbon Taster”

(from Whiskey University)

A certificate titled 'Bourbon Certificate' with a large black square in the center, enclosed by a gray border.
Certificate awarded to Sean Tanner for completing bourbon studies at Whiskey University, signed and dated February 13, 2024, with images of two bourbon bottles on each side.

Cities or towns in this service area for Bourbon and Whiskey Tasting Classes include Lakeland, FL; Winter Haven, FL; Lake Wales, FL; Bartow, FL; Haines City, FL; Auburndale, FL; Lake Alfred, FL; Polk City, FL; Frostproof, FL; Fort. Meade, FL; Tampa, FL; Brandon, FL; Plant City, FL; Bloomingdale, FL; Seffner, FL; Lutz, FL; Cheval, FL; Odessa, FL; Oldsmar, FL; Apollo Beach, FL; Riverview, FL; Gibsonton, FL; Valrico, FL; Boyette, FL; Wimauma,, FL; Ruskin, FL; Citrus Park, FL; Dover, FL; Thonotosassa, FL; Dade City, FL; Bayonet Point, FL; Beacon Square, FL; Crystal Springs, FL; Dade City North, FL; Elfers, FL; Holiday, FL; Hudson, FL; Jasmine Estates, FL; Lacoochee, FL; Land O' Lakes, FL; New Port Richey, FL; New Port Richey East, FL; Odessa, FL;
Port Richey, FL; San Antonio, FL; Shady Hills, FL; St. Leo, FL; Trinity, FL; Wesley Chapel, FL; Wesley Chapel South, FL; and Zephyrhills, FL.