Whiskey University has Instructors in the Columbia Metro Area: (Cont.)

Check on the pages in the Left Nav. Bar in this Section to find Faculty listed Geographically

We teach Bourbon Classes, Bourbon Experiences, Bourbon Tastings, Bourbon Education, and Bourbon Events as well as Whiskey Classes, Whiskey Experiences, Whiskey Tastings, Whiskey Education, and Whiskey Events. We teach over 110 different classes.

Whiskey University’s Faculty

1.) Professor Major Dax Russell

2.) Professor Dr. Mattew Hart, DDS

3.) Professor Lt. Col. Kevin Hazard

4.) Professor Lt. Col. Wayne Lyles

5.) Lt. David Lane

6.) Professor Captain Casey Williams

Professor Major Dax Russell

   Email address:     Dax@whiskeyuniv.com

Whiskey University Partner

Member of the Board of Directors

Professor Dax Russell has been a member of Whiskey University since early 2018. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering certificates, diplomas and degrees. Dax earned his Bourbon Diploma on May 25th 2018.

Professor Russell is the Art Department Manager at Softspace in Columbia, Tennessee. Dax was born May 4th 1974 in Maury County and is now a resident of Columbia. In addition to his thirst for whiskey knowledge he is also an avid hunter and fisherman.

Dax was the fifteenth student to earn his Associate Degree after passing 15 classes on February 28th 2019 and is also a recruiter for the University. Dax taught his first class on October 19 th 2019 on Makers Mark and also teaches Bourbon 201. On May 23 rd 2019 he earned his Bachelors of Science degree with 24 classes and acquired the title of ”Master Bourbon Taster” and the rank of Captain in the Bourbon Brigade.

Dax became the twelfth graduate student to earn his Masters of Science Degree after successfully completing his 36th class on February 27th, 2020 along with the title of “Chartered Master Bourbon Taster.”

Now with the rank of Major in the Bourbon Brigade he has been elected one of two Makers Mark Brand Specialists for Whiskey University. After a long love affair with Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey Dax decided to broaden his horizons and experience all that Kentucky has to offer. Along with Makers Mark Dax is a huge fan of wheated bourbons and all barrel proof variations. Dax lives by the motto ‘’It’s all good, some just better than others!’’

Dax has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

1.) ”Chartered Master Bourbon Taster”

(from Whiskey University)

2.) ”Certified Bourbon Steward”

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

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

3.) Maker’s Mark Ambassador

4.) Tennessee Squire with Jack Daniel’s

5.) Member of the Blade & Bow 5 Keys Club

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

6.) Member of the King’s Circle with M.G.P./Remus

7.)Bardstown Whiskey Society Member with Heaven Hill

8.) Band of Rebels Member with LuxCo/Rebel Yell

9.) High West Whiskey Club Utah

10.) Rare Breed Society Member with Wild Turkey

Professor Dr. Matthew Hart

   Email address:     TheBrbnPredator@WhiskeyUniv.com

Whiskey University Partner

Member of the Board of Directors

Whiskey University Recruiter

Matt has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

1.) ”Chartered Master Bourbon Taster”

(from Whiskey University)

2.) ”Certified Bourbon Steward”

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

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

3.) Maker’s Mark Ambassador

4.) Tennessee Squire with Jack Daniel’s

5.)Coopers Club with Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery

6.) Member of the Blade & Bow 5 Keys Club

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

7.) Member of the King’s Circle with M.G.P./Remus

8.) Sagamore Spirits Ambassador; A Whiskey Thief

9.) Family Tree Ambassador at Wilderness Trail

10.)Bardstown Whiskey Society Member with Heaven Hill

11.) High West Whiskey Club Utah

12.) Band of Rebels Member with LuxCo/MGP

13.) Rare Breed Society Member with Wild Turkey

Professor Lt. Col. Kevin Hazard

   Email address:     Kevin@WhiskeyUniv.com

Professor Kevin Hazard has been a member of Whiskey University since early 2019. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Kevin earned his Bourbon Diploma on May 22nd, 2019.

Captain Hazard is the Production Control Senior Analyst at a Major Insurance Company in Tennennee. Kevin was born in December 1968 in Columbia, Tennessee. He is still a resident of Columbia, Tennessee and is married to Lesli Moore Hazard. He has two son that also live in Columbia in Thomas Hazard and Andrew Hazard.

Kevin was in the first thirty students to earn his Associate Degree after passing 15 classes earning him the title of a “Certified Bourbon Taster” on June 25th, 2020. On November 4th, 2020 Hazard earned his Bachelors of Science Degree with 24 classes at Whiskey University. Hazard taught his first class on May 20th, 2021 when he taught the “Bottled-in-Bond” class on EventBrite Nationwide. On July 22nd, 2021 Kevin obtained the title of "Master Bourbon Taster" with his Bachelor of Arts Degree with 30 classes and the rank of Captain in the Bourbon Brigade.

I had never thought of bourbon as a subject that could be studied and learned from. For me, it was just one type of the many liquors one could drink or add to a mixer. Then a friend invited me to attend a local Whiskey University class with him; neither of us knowing what to expect. That’s when I learned there was so much more history and people behind the development, manufacture, rise and fall, and rebirth of America’s spirit in particular. I have always loved history and I guess that is what got me hooked. Now, I feel like I can appreciate each of the many bourbons based on their own merits.

Kevin has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

1.) ”Chartered Master Bourbon Taster”

(from Whiskey University)

2.) ”Certified Bourbon Steward”

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

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

3.) Maker’s Mark Ambassador

4.) Tennessee Squire with Jack Daniel’s

5.) Coopers Club with Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery

6.) Member of the Blade & Bow 5 Keys Club

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

7.) Sagamore Spirits Ambassador; A Whiskey Thief

8.) Member of the King’s Circle with M.G.P./Remus

9.) Family Tree Ambassador At Wilderness Trail

10.)Bardstown Whiskey Society Member with Heaven Hill

11.) Whiskey Baron from Wyoming Whiskey

12.) High West Whiskey Club Utah

13.) Band of Rebels Member with LuxCo/Rebel Yell

14.) Rare Breed Society Member with Wild Turkey

Professor Lt. Col. Wayne Lyles

   Email address:     Wayne@WhiskeyUniv.com

Professor Wayne Lyles has been a member of Whiskey University since early 2019. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Wayne earned his Bourbon Diploma on May 22nd, 2019.

Major Lyles is the Production Control Senior Analyst at a Major Insurance Company in Tennennee. Wayne Lyles born in December 1964 in Columbia, Tennessee. He is still a resident of Columbia, Tennessee and is married to Jennifer Lipscomb Lyles. He has three adult daughters that also live in Columbia in Amber Meacham, Cassie Lyles and Lori Lovett.

Wayne was in the first two dozen students to earn his Associate Degree after passing 15 classes on November 24th, 2019 and he is also a Recruiter for Whiskey University. Lyles taught his first class on November 4th, 2020 when he taught the “Bourbon 201” class at Legends Steakhouse in Shelbyville, Tennessee. On September 3rd, 2020 Lyles 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.

Wayne became only the eighteenth graduate student to earn his Masters of Science Degree after successfully completing his 36th class on November 12th 2020 along with the title of "Chartered Master Bourbon Taster" and the rank of Major in the Bourbon Brigade. Whiskey University elected Professor Wayne Lyles as one of two of the Brigade’s Wild Turkey Brands Specialist.

It was a little over two years ago that my wife and I went to breakfast at a local restaurant. While there I saw the little table tent advertising Whiskey University. I wasn’t even aware of anything like them in our area. So, I went to my first class and fell in love with learning about the history and process of making and aging bourbon. Now, I am fully involved in many facets of business with Whiskey University and enjoy every moment I get to spend with our group locally and all the instructors throughout the country.

Wayne has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

1.) ”Chartered Master Whiskey Taster”

(from Whiskey University)

2.) ”Certified Bourbon Steward”

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

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

3.) Maker’s Mark Ambassador

4.) Tennessee Squire with Jack Daniel’s

5.) Member of the Blade & Bow 5 Keys Club

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

6.) Sagamore Spirits Ambassador; A Whiskey Thief

7.)Bardstown Whiskey Society Member with Heaven Hill

8.) Family Tree Ambassador at Wilderness Trail

9.) Member of the King’s Circle with M.G.P./Remus

10.) High West Whiskey Club Utah

11.) Band of Rebels Member with LuxCo/Rebel Yell

12.) Whiskey Baron From Wyoming Whiskey

13.) Rare Breed Society Member with Wild Turkey

Lt. David Lane

David has the following Designations and Credentials:

1.) ”Master Bourbon Taster“

(from Whiskey University)

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

2.) Maker’s Mark Ambassador

3.) Tennessee Squire with Jack Daniel’s

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

4.)Bardstown Whiskey Society Member with Heaven Hill

Professor Captain Casey Williams

   Email address:     Casey@WhiskeyUniv.com

Whiskey University Partner

Member of the Board of Directors

Professor Casey Williams has been a member of Whiskey University since Mid 2018. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Casey earned his Bourbon Diploma on January 19th, 2019.

Captain Williams is a Client Relations Manager at the MapleTronics Computers, an I. T. Managed Service Provider in Indiana, Tennessee and Florida. Casey Williams was born in August 1988 in Okeechobee, Florida. He is now a resident of Columbia, Tennessee and is married to Mary Williams.

Casey was one of the first twenty students to earn his Associate Degree after passing 15 classes on May 23rd, 2019. Williams taught his first class on September 1st, 2020 when he taught the “Maker’s Mark Brands Tasting Class.” On February 7th, 2020 Williams 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. Whiskey University named Professor Casey Williams one of two of the Brigade’s Maker’s Mark Specialist.

Casey has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

1.) ”Master Bourbon Taster”

(from Whiskey University)

2.) ”Certified Bourbon Steward”

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

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

3.) Maker’s Mark Ambassador

4.) Tennessee Squire with Jack Daniel’s

5.)Coopers Club with Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery

6.) Member of the Blade & Bow 5 Keys Club

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

7.) Member of the King’s Circle with M.G.P./Remus

8.)Bardstown Whiskey Society Member with Heaven Hill

9.) Band of Rebels Member with LuxCo/MGP

10.) Rare Breed Society Member with Wild Turkey

We teach Bourbon Classes, Bourbon Experiences, Bourbon Tastings, Bourbon Education, and Bourbon Events as well as Whiskey Classes, Whiskey Experiences, Whiskey Tastings, Whiskey Education, and Whiskey Events. We teach a total of 96 different classes.

The Southern Middle Tennessee Faculty services the areas of Maury County, Tennessee (101,590); Marshall County, Tennessee (33,683); Lewis County, Tennessee (12,086); and Hickman County, Tennessee (25,063) in Southern Middle Tennessee.

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.