Whiskey University Recruiter

Jim Bunch has been a member of Whiskey University since the Fall of 2023. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Jim earned His Bourbon Diploma on November 5, 2023, after passing ten classes. 

The son of a Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer, Jim entered the Navy after high school and served both active duty and active reserve. Following active duty, he attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, matriculating with a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration at one of the top hospitality colleges in the world, in 1983. Jim’s love of food and beverage began at an early age. Following his experiences working various jobs in the industry, Jim embarked on a long career managing a variety of operations, from his first job with Lyon’s Restaurants in the Bay Area of California, the Maxim and Riviera Hotel & Casinos in Las Vegas, before becoming a Department of Defense Civilian managing Officer’s Clubs for the U.S. Air Force in many locations in the United States and in Germany. In fact, Jim was in Berlin in November of 1989 when the Berlin Wall was opened. After helping to win the Cold War and retiring from the Department of Defense, Jim earned his teaching degree from Peru State University in Nebraska in 2013 and taught middle school and high school History, Social Sciences, and Business for 11 years before retiring in 2025. His love of History, which was stoked by his junior high Social Studies teacher, coupled with a desire to help young people, led him to this twilight career. Jim and Cindi live in Lincoln, NE and now have 13 grandchildren. Jim promotes Whiskey University in the Lincoln and Lancaster County, Nebraska market.

Jim is a graduate of the Fall Class of 2023, graduating from Whiskey University on December 18, 2023, where he earned his Associate of Science degree with 19 classes, and the title of "Certified Bourbon Taster". Jim also earned his Bachelor of Science degree on February 6, 2024, followed by his Bachelor of Arts degree on April 24, 2024. Jim most recently completed completed his Master of Arts degree on September 9, 2024 with 60 classes, earning the title of “Chartered Master Whiskey Taster” and the rank of Lt. Colonel in the Bourbon Brigade. Jim later completed his 99th class on April 16, 2025 and the rank of Whiskey Colonel, followed by earning the designation as Commodore upon completing his 9th major on July 20, 2025.

Jim’s background and training in hospitality management provided a solid foundation to build upon. He has been an epicurean and connoisseur of fine food and spirits for many years. One of his signature events during his career in club management were monthly gourmet nights, where guests would experience exquisite foods paired with wines and distilled spirits in an intimate setting. His tableside Caesar’s Salad and Bananas Foster flambe’ desserts were courses of lore; the latter being taught to him at New Orleans famed Commander’s Palace Restaurant. While traveling back to Nebraska from North Carolina in the Summer of 2018, Jim and Cindi enjoyed several distillery visits, including Buffalo Trace and Barton’s 1792, where Cindi fell in love with Kentucky Mules and Jim’s desire to expand his knowledge of bourbons and whiskeys was stoked. When Jim discovered Whiskey University in 2023, the combination of history and spirits appealed to him, and the rest is history! Jim has completed all nine majors in the “Bluegrass Region, Bourbon Capital Region, Whiskey Row Region, Tennessee Whiskey, Maryland Rye Whiskey, World Whiskey, Craft Whiskey, Canadian Whisky, and Whiskey History” as he continues to expand his studies. Jim continues his education, taking new classes, as well as teaching classes, with Whiskey University.

Jim has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

“Chartered Master Whiskey Taster”

(from Whiskey University)

”Associate Bourbon Steward“

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

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