Distilling Scotch myths to deliver exclusive training courses at the Edinburgh Whisky Academy
Never before has a single drink managed to gather so many myths and legends around it. The name itself – Scotch whisky –makes it stand apart as the only product in the world to be named after its country of origin, creating a meta-brand in its own right.
On the 200th anniversary of the 1823 Excise Act, which spelled the end of illicit distillation in the proceeding years, it is important to take a moment to consider the context of the drink’s history and question how much of what we know today is actually based on truth or hearsay.With records scant for much of its history – particularly in the early 1800s – who is actually fact-checking the so-called facts?
The answer is that we will never really know if the records don’t exist. But while this grey area of history probably suits most marketing departments , leaving them free to create romantic narratives of times gone by, it most definitely does not suit those trying to study the subject.
The Edinburgh Whisky Academy (EWA) says that once something has been recorded in print, it is often assumed as fact, and therefore adopted as such down the years.
The family-run EWA is well placed to dispel Scotch myths and provide in-depth knowledge, as it is the only centre of learning for whisky education approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. It has been externally verifying EWA’s certified courses since 2016, providing quality assurance and ensuring the teaching materials are of the highest possible standard.
Using only experts in their field to create and deliver course content, the EWA provides a much-needed resource for whisky education. It weaves together the past, the processes, and prospects for the future, with a targeted focus on people and place.
The centre’s lecturers and course creators include historians, archivists, master maltsters, maturation specialists, as well as a former director of the Scotch Whisky Research Institute among others, ensuring that the educational content is both robust and as accurate as possible.
Courses include the entry-level Certificate in Scotch Whisky, which is available online, and the more advanced Diploma in Single Malt Whisky, which takes a deep-dive into subjects including history, raw materials, production processes, maturation, and sensory aspects.
The courses have been welcomed by the industry, which has adopted the place of learning as its training provider for a number of consumer-facing roles.
With more than 40 per cent of the EWA’s course attendees coming from overseas, enthusiasts eagerly travel across the world to attend its in-person diploma classes. They are held at either Arniston House, an impressive Palladian mansion ten miles south of Edinburgh and just a few minutes’ drive from Glenkinchie Distillery in Pencaitland, or the newly-opened Port of Leith Distillery in the Capital.
EWA has engaged with enthusiasts and industry experts from more than 100 countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Sweden, Spain, and Singapore.
The suite of courses available has expanded considerably over the last few years, in line with the growth of the EWA’s online training platform.There are courses to suit every experience level, price point, and palate through the website and all with the same underlying goal – furthering the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of every dram.
EWA alumni have praised the courses highly in their feedback with one saying: “If you thought you knew every single thing about whisky, think again and take this course. It was a good learning experience, well-paced and informative.”
Another adds: “Everyone can stand to learn from this incredible programme. It made my enthusiasm for the entire distilling process, as well as my appreciation for whisky, grow even more than I thought possible.”
Flexibility is also a priority at EWA, with bespoke training services also offered at clients’ places of work in order to provide a cost and time-efficient use of staff resources.
For anyone looking to upskill or change careers, EWA’s programmes present a wonderful opportunity to kickstart a career in a growing industry, which topped £6 billion in exports for the first time last year.
The EWA has set the benchmark for externally-accredited whisky education and training, bringing together industry and enthusiasts with a shared passion and purpose for furthering their knowledge of Scotch whisky.
A recent graduate of the Diploma in Single Malt Whisky reports: “I cannot think of one thing I learned that I have not been able to adapt or improve in our production. The course really gave me a strong foundation for my role as a blender.”To find out more about the courses, and EWA’s team of experts, go online to www.edinburghwhiskyacademy.com