Whiskey University has Instructors in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area:

Map of Louisiana with its parishes outlined, highlighted in red.

Orleans Parrish, Louisiana (389,467); Jefferson Parrish (432,552); Plaquemines Parrish (23,410); St. Bernard Parrish (47,244); St. Charles Parrish (52,879); St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana (42,477) in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area.

Whiskey University’s Faculty

  • Lt. Col. John Rector

  • Lt. Col. Matt Hedrick

  • Sgt. Mike Centola

  • Pvt. Gina Wisler


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Lt. Col. John Rector

Email address:   1Juice@WhiskeyUniv.com

Whiskey University Partner

Member of the Board of Directors

A man in a suit holding a framed certificate stands next to a large wooden display cabinet filled with bottles of whiskey and liquor. The background includes various decorative items and posters on the wall.

John Rector started his official studies with Whiskey University in late 2020. He has been proudly learning, tasting, testing, and making his way up the ranks to a proud Master Bourbon Taster, Bourbon Steward, and Captain in the Bourbon Brigade. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. John earned his Bourbon Diploma on January 24th, 2021.

John is a native of Tennessee but has called Northern Alabama his home for the last 22 years. Born in Chattanooga and raised in Franklin Tennessee, he stayed in God’s Country to earn his Mechanical Engineering degree from Tennessee Technological University way back in 1991. He challenged himself by working in the Automotive Industry, but now presently works in Extreme Long-Haul Transportation Systems around the Moon.

He continues to enjoy spending time with his “Back Table Friends” from college - sharing a bourbon (or two), stories, and cherished laughs. He designs and produces Hi-Fi speaker systems out of vintage luggage or whatever object is presented to him. Creativity is unlimited, like a bottomless Glencairn.

Rector earned his Associate Degree after passing 15 classes on March 30th, 2021. On July 13th, 2021, John earned his Bachelor of Science Degree with 24 classes, at Whiskey University and the title of "Adjunct Master Bourbon Taster." On September 7th, 2021 Captain Rector advanced to earn the Title of “Master Bourbon Taster” by earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree and the rank of Captain in the Bourbon Brigade. John is pursuing his a Graduate Degree currently.

Captain Rector encourages everyone to sip, experience, and savor the flavors of whatever is presented to you. There is no wrong answer to your flavor profile or what you taste. Every whiskey journey is exciting and personal, but hopefully shared with friends and family every chance you get. He looks forward to sharing a glass with you.

John has the following Designations and Credentials:

Chartered Master Bourbon Taster

(from Whiskey University)

Certified Bourbon Steward

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

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Certificate from Whiskey University awarded to John Rector for completing a course on bourbon in 2022, decorated with images of bourbon bottles and a decorative border.
Four circular icons with text inside each. From left to right: Maker's Mark - Not Enrolled; Tenn Squire - Not Enrolled; 5 Keys Club - Not Enrolled; Coopers Club - Not Enrolled.
Six circles with text inside each: '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, Rebel Yell Association

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A blank blackboard with a gold and gray border, captioned 'Master of Arts Degree' in white text at the bottom.

Lt. Col. Matthew J. Hedrick, III

A man in a suit holding a framed certificate titled Whiskey University, smiling at the camera, with a wooden shelf filled with various whiskey bottles and framed pictures behind him.

Matthew J Hedrick III has been with Whiskey University since the beginning of 2021. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Matt earned his Bourbon Diploma on May 20th, 2021. He earned his final of seven Degrees, his Master of Arts Degree and the title of Senior Chartered Master Bourbon Taster on January 16, 2022.

Matt is married to Jeanne since 1995 and has one son Matthew IV. Matt was born and raised in the New Orleans area. He attended St. Clement of Rome School in Metairie, LA for grammar school and Archbishop Rummel, an all-male Catholic High School. Matt received his Bachelor of Science from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he majored in Finance with minors in Computer Science and Economics. While at LSU he worked for Residential Housing and was Senior Resident Assistant for Kirby Smith dormitory. Also, he played tuba in the Golden Band from Tigerland. Since graduation he has performed several times with the alumni band for their annual halftime show. He has been honored to take the field with his son Matthew IV, who also plays tuba for 5 years. Matt is looking forward to future alumni performances where he, Matthew IV and William Houston “Tex” Chapman can participate as fellow aluminist. He has enjoyed playing with the Tiger Rag Tag for the LSU National Champion parade and several Mardi Gras parades.

In his free time Matt works with his mother Sally Hedrick and sister Courtney Dusang on Mardi Gras costumes. His sister designs the costumes, then his mother sews the gowns and Matt bends wire to create the headpieces and collars for the royalty of several Carnival Krewes. With the love of Mardi Gras, he and his wife Jeanne attend several Carnival Balls throughout the year. Matt has MC’ed the Krewe of Sparta’s parade at N.O. Gallier Hall for dignitaries and royalty. Over the past 20+ years Matt has been a member of the Krewe of Endymion, one of the area’s largest parade organizations. Matt Jr. is the float lieutenant with Matt III being an assistant lieutenant. Matt is also an avid cyclist. He is constantly on the bicycle and has participated in the Multiple Sclerosis 150 mile bike ride for over 20 years. He was fortunate to have his father make the trek with him once. He loves taking his bike on trips to explore and keep in form. For several years Matt had been an Assistant Scout Master for troop 269 in Metairie, LA.

Along with these passions Matt enjoys taking his jeep off-roading. He has owned several jeeps in his life and has taken them to tackle some rough terrain. Matt’s great uncle Bob Finnerty was a jockey who raced in the 1935 Kentucky Derby. Which coincidently was the same day that Stizler Weller re-opened their doors in Shively, KY.

Matt has the following Designations and Credentials:

Chartered Master Whiskey Taster

(from Whiskey University)

Certified Bourbon Steward

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

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Certificate of Whiskey University awarded to Matthew J. Hedrick, recognizing the completion of 45 classes with a double major in the Bourbon Capital and Bluegrass regions, titled 'Senior Chartered Master Bourbon Taster', signed by C. O. Vuncannon, with images of various whiskey bottles around the border.
Four gray circles with black text inside, displaying names of golf clubs and enrollment status, including Maker's Mark, TENN SQUIRE, 5 Keys Club, and Coopers Club, all marked as 'Not Enrolled.'
Six circles with text inside, listing groups not enrolled: Whisk Thieves, Kings Circle, Whis Society, Family Tree, Whisk Baron, High West.

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Wild Turkey’s Rare Breed Society Member

Band Of Rebels, Rebel Yell Association

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A black chalkboard with a gold border and a gray frame, with white text at the bottom that reads "Master of Arts Degree."

Sgt. Mike Centola

Mike has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

Journeyman Whiskey Taster

(from Whiskey University)

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Member: Rare Breed Society

Member: LuxCo Band of Rebels Member

Member: Sazerac Barrel Select Club Member

Member: Jeffersons Alchemist Ambassador

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A blank black rectangle on a brown background with a gray border, with the text 'Whiskey Diploma' in white at the bottom.
Whiskey University diploma awarded to Mike Centola for basic whiskey studies, signed by Colonel Craig Duncan, with university crest and emblem.
Four circles with text: 'Maker's Mark - Not Enrolled,' 'Tenn Squire - Not Enrolled,' '5 Keys Club - Not Enrolled,' and 'Coopers Club - Not Enrolled'
Circular text labels reading 'Whisk Thieves Not Enrolled', 'Kings Circle Not Enrolled', 'Whis Society Not Enrolled', 'Family Tree Not Enrolled', 'Whisk Baron Not Enrolled', and 'High West Not Enrolled' in a row.

Pvt. Gina Wisler

Gina has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

Apprentice Whiskey Taster

(from Whiskey University)

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A black square, label reading 'Bourbon Whiskey Certificate' in gray text beneath it.
A bourbon whiskey certificate from Whiskey University awarded to Gina Wister for completing a general whiskey studies course, dated June 11, 2025, with signatures and logos.

Cities or towns in this service area for Bourbon and Whiskey Tasting Classes include New Orleans, LA; Metairie, LA; River Ridge, LA; Harahan, LA; Kenner, LA; Gretna, LA; Avondale, LA; Saint Rose, LA; Barataria, LA; Bridge City, LA; Elmwood, LA; Estelle, LA; Grand Ilse, LA; Harvey, LA; Jean Lafitte, LA; Jefferson, LA; Laffite, LA; Marrero, LA; Terrytown, LA; Timberlane, LA; Waggaman, LA; Westwego, LA; Woodmere, LA; Pointe à la Hache, LA; Belle Chasse, LA; Boothville-Venice, LA; Buras-Triuph, LA; Empire, LA; Port Sulphur, LA; Grand Isles, LA; Chalmette, LA; Arabi, LA; Meraux, LA; Poydras, LA; Violet, LA; Hahnville, LA, Luling, LA; Ama, LA; Bayou Gauche, LA; Boutte, LA; Des Allemands, LA; Destrehan, LA; Killona, LA; Montz, LA; New Sarpy, LA; Norco, LA; Paradis, LA; St. Rose, LA; Taft, LA; Convent, LA; Lutcher, LA; Gramercy, LA; North Vacherie, LA and South Vacherie, LA.