#1.) Whiskey 101

Course (#101)

1.) “Whiskey 101”

The "Whiskey 101 Tasting Class" is the first and most basic of all the classes that we teach at Whiskey University. (NOTE: classes do not need to be taken in order)

There are seven basic classes that make up the General University Requirements (G.U.R.’s). They are Whiskey 101 (Course #101); Bourbon 201 (Course #201); Tennessee Whiskey 202 (Course #202); “The Big 3” (Course #252); The Bourbon Capital Region (Course #253); The Bluegrass Region (Course #254); and The Whiskey Row Region (#255). In order to qualify for the first level of recognition the student must take 3 classes and then they earn a ”Certificate of Completion” in Basic Whiskey Studies and title ”Apprentice Bourbon Taster.”

In Whiskey 101, you will learn the difference between Distilled Spirits & Fermented Beverages (or hard liquor vs. soft liquor, like beer and wine).  You will then learn about and taste some of the seven main Distilled Spirits including; Whiskey, Vodka, Gin, Rum, Tequila, Brandy and Liqueur. You will be able to differentiate between those liquors.

Next you will learn about and taste some of the eight most popular types of Whiskey; Bourbon, Scotch, Tennessee, Canadian, Rye, American Blended, Irish, and Corn Whiskey (Moonshine) and find out what makes them different.

Then be able to know what is Super Premium Bourbon or Top Shelf Bourbon and how did they save the the industry. Then you will learn and taste some of the first Super Premium brands made; Blanton’s Single Barrel in 1984, Elijah Craig Small Batch in 1987 or Booker's Barrel Strength Bourbon in 1988.

#2.) Tennessee Whiskey 202

Course (#202)

2.) Tennessee Whiskey 202

Tennessee Whiskey 202 is the third of three of the most basic Classes offered at Whiskey University and is summary Capsule of all things Tennessee Whiskey. (note: classes do not need to be taken in order) The three classes that make up the General University Requirements (G.U.R.’s) are Whiskey 101, Bourbon 201 and Tennessee Whiskey 202. Once all three classes are taken the student earns a Certificate of Completion in Whiskey Tasting and title Apprentice Bourbon Taster.

Tennessee Whiskey 202 is concentrated around the only two major Distilleries in the state of Tennessee that make up almost 98% of all whiskey in Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel. It explains the difference between Whiskey, Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey. It examines the history

During the Tennessee Whiskey Tasting, you will try both familiar and rare whiskies from throughout the State of Tennessee. These include; Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 (Black Label), George Dickel No. 12 (Beige Label), Pritchard’s Double Barrelled Bourbon, Chattanooga 1816 Whiskey, Gentleman Jack, Collier & McKeel 10 year-old, George Dickel Rye, Uncle Nearest, Jack Daniel Single Barrel, Corsair and George Dickel Puckett's Select Barrel.

#7.) The Main Event; Jack -vs-Jim {Tenn.}

Course #357

#1.) Crown Royal Tasting {Can}

Course #361

Crown Royal is the largest Canadian Whisky distiller in the World. 

The legend of Crown Royal began in 1939 when the British Royalty made headlines and visited their distant colony of Canada for the first time ever.  It was King George VI and Queen Elizabeth who arrived on the east coast at Quebec City and spent the next 32 days touring the entire country including a cross-country trip by rail.

At that time the president of Seagram's was Samuel Bronfman and he made up his mind to have his company spare no expense and go to all lengths to come up with the best whiskey ever made.  They experimented with of 600 recipes and finally came up with a mix of fifty different whiskies from all over Canada. After the final version was ready they loaded up the train that the King and Queen were taking with 10 cases of the royal blend. Rumors spread throughout Canada and the U. S. that the royal couple had a whisky that was only fit for a King.

In this tasting, you will try 12 of Crown Royals whiskies. You will begin by sampling their flagship brand: Crown Royal Deluxe then try some Crown Royal Regal Apple, Crown Royal Black, Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye, Crown Royal Reserve, Crown Royal Vanilla,  Crown Royal Noble Collection Wine Barrel Finished, Crown Royal XO, Crown Royal Maple, Crown Royal Hand Selected Single Barrel, Crown Royal  Monarch 75th Anniversary, Crown Royal Noble Collection “Cornerstone Blend” and Crown Royal “XR Red” Waterloo.   

#2.) Canadian Club Tasting{Can}

Course #362

Canadian Club is the second largest Canadian Whisky distiller in the World. 

Canadian Club is the oldest Canadian Whisky that is still being produced today dating back to 1858 when Hiram Walker erected his distillery in Walkersville, Ontario as close to the finest grain as possible. Prior to the turn of the century this whisky could be found in Eastern and Central Canada but in the U. S. it was scarce and could only be found in the finest "Clubs." After a short time it began to be called "Club Whisky." When this club whisky became so popular and even hurt the sales of Bourbon in the U. S., the federal government stepped in a required that the country of origin be stated clearly on the label, hence the name Canadian Club.

In 1920 Prohibition was passed in the U. S. and Canadian Club moved its operations to Windsor, Ontario (where it sits today) right across the river from Detroit. Prohibition made celebrities out of smugglers like Al Capone and made Canadian Club the number one whisky and spirit in the United States. Canadian Club has received "Royal Warrants" from six British Monarchs including Queen Elizabeth II due to its high quality. Canadian Club has now been purchased by Beam Suntory brands.

During this tasting you will sample all of Canadian Club's Whiskies and all of Jim Beam's other Canadian brands, you will start with the Flagship Label of Canadian Club. Your tasting will then include; Windsor Blended Canadian Whisky, Canadian Club Reserve, Fireball, Canadian Club Dock No. 57 Blackberry Whisky, Lord Calvert Canadian Whisky, Canadian Club 100% Rye, Alberta Premium Canadian Whisky, Canadian Club Small Batch 10 year-old, Canadian Club Dock No. 57 Spiced Whisky,  Tangle Ridge, and Canadian Club Classic Reserve 12 year-old.

#3.) Other Canadian Brands Tasting {Can}

Course #363

Canadian Whisky is the best selling spirit in Canada and the third best selling whisky in both the World and the United States.

All Canadian Whisky has to be distilled in Canada but believe it or not over 80% of all Canadian Whisky produced is made by one of 7 Bourbon Producers in the U. S. or their parent company. Since we have a special separate tasting for both Crown Royal (Diageo/Bulleit) and Canadian Club (Jim Beam/Beam Suntory) we will focus on Canadian Whiskies that are made by the other five U. S. Bourbon producers; Buffalo Trace (Sazerac), Brown-Forman, Wild Turkey (Campari America), Barton/1792 Brands (Sazerac) and LuxCo.

We will start our tasting with Rich & Rare Canadian, Canadian Hunter, Canadian Mist, Fireball, Collingwood, Black Velvet Canadian, Fourty Creek Canadian, Black Velvet Toasted Caramel, Lord Calvert Canadian, Northern Lights, Seagram's VO, Seagram's VO Gold Reserve, Royal Canadian Small Batch, and Caribou Crossing Single Barrel.

#7.) Rye Whiskey Tasting

Course #371

Rye Whiskey is growing in popularity in the United States at a rate of more than 20% annually.

Rye Whiskey is a type of whiskey that is usually made with 51-55% Rye grain it is supplemented with corn and barley malt as secondary grains and must be aged at least two years. Rye Whiskey was the most popular beverage of choice in the united states between 1750 and 1830 as colonists were looking for an alternative to British Rum. Maryland and the Allegheny Region of Western Pennsylvania were the hotbeds of Rye production making over 80% of the nation's spirit. Rye whiskey almost entirely went away after prohibition with only a few brands like Old Overholt surviving.

Rye has seen a resurrection in popularity in the 2000's in part due to shows like Mad Men and young millennials adopting the spirit. After 2015 many Bourbon distillers in Kentucky began to produce their own versions of Rye like; Jim Beam, Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey/Campari America, Diageo. Another independent distiller MPG of (Southern) Indiana makes a large portion of the nation's rye.

Some of the Rye Whiskies that you will experience in this tasting include; Old Overholt, Jim Beam Rye, Basil Hayden Dark Rye, Wild Turkey 101 Rye, Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond Rye, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Rye, Pikesville Supreme Rye, Woodford Reserve Rye, Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Rye, Sazerac Rye, Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Straight Rye and Booker's Limited Edition Rye.

#8.) Flavored Whiskey Tasting

Course #372

Flavored Whiskey is the fastest growing segment of the distilled spirit industry.

Flavored whiskies are is a great entry point for non-bourbon drinkers to try whiskey for the first time. It also has a much higher demand among women than traditional bourbons.  Flavored whiskies were first introduced in the mid-1980's after the deregulation of the bourbon industry began. At that time there were few brands and traditional bourbon drinkers ignored these ventures. Some of the first include Wild Turkey American Honey, Dr. McGillicuddy's Cinnamon Whisky (which became Fireball), Red Stag (blackberry flavored whiskey by Jim Beam) and Cabin Fever (maple flavored whiskey).

After enlisting several high profile celebrities (Kid Rock, Mila Kunis and Matthew McConaughey) and spending high dollars on some print and TV marketing campaigns, the demand for Flavored Whiskies have skyrocketed. Each year the industry is seeing 40-50% year over year growth in this segment.  The most popular flavors in order are Cinnamon, Honey, Apple and Peach having spawned off about 10-12 brands each by different distillers. Other flavors also include; Maple, Mint, Cherry, Spiced, Bourbon Creme, Caramel, Vanilla, Blackberry Black Cherry, Tabasco, other Pepper flavor, Chocolate, Sweet Tea, Ginger or Gingerbread, Brown Sugar, Lime, Rock Candy, Root Beer, Strawberry, Red Grapefruit, Pineapple, Tootsie Roll, Bacon and Toasted Pecan. 

The Flavored Whiskies included in this tasting are; Cabin Fever (Maple), Fireball (Cinnamon), Beam's Reg Stag (Black Cherry), Jim Beam Apple, Jim Beam Vanilla, Wild Turkey American Honey, Evan Williams Cherry, Evan Williams Peach, Firefly Sweet Tea, Southern Comfort Lime, Southern Comfort Pepper, Maker's Mark Mint, Black Velvet Toasted Caramel, WinterJack Apple Cider, Rebel Yell Root Beer and Super Premium Knob Creek Smoked Maple.

# 9.) American Blended Whiskey Tasting

Course #373

American Blended Whiskey is a popular drink in the United States and considered the best whiskey for including into mixed drinks.

American Blended Whiskey is made with 20-30% Bourbon and 70-80% Neutral Grain Spirits. The fact that the neutral grain spirits are almost odorless and tasteless, cocktails made with American Whiskey tastes far more like the mixer that you are adding, but because of the bourbon portion still taste almost like light bourbon when straight or on the rocks. Bourbon snobs refer to this type of whiskey as "brown water." 

Some of the American Blended Whiskies that you will try in this tasting include the two most popular brands in Seagram's 7 American Whiskey and Kessler's Fine Whiskey. Others include; Early Times Kentucky Whiskey, Mello Corn Bottled-in-Bond; Beam’s Eight Star Kentucky Whiskey a Blend, Heaven Hill Kentucky Blended Whiskey, Seagram’s  7 Orchard Apple, Ancient Age Preferred Blended Whiskey,  Seagram’s 7 Dark Honey, Southern Comfort Whiskey Liqueur 100 proof, Barton Premium Whiskey a Blend, Eleven Jones Premium Blended Whiskey, Seagram’s 7 American Spiced and Calvert Extra Blended American Whiskey.