Edinburgh Whisky Academy Certificate Courses
Dandelion BevEd is an Approved Course Provider for the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, offering certificate courses in:
American Single Malt Whiskey
Scotch Whisky
Irish Whiskey
Gin
Current Course Offerings:
The Edinburgh Whisky Academy is proud of its SQA certification, making it the first and only approved centre of learning for whisky education.
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Module 1: The History of American Single Malt Whiskey
Module 2: The Business of American Single Malt Whiskey
Module 3: Raw Materials
Module 4: Production Process (From Grain to Liquid)
Module 5: Maturation
Module 6: Blending & Bottling
Module 7: Sensory - This Module is experienced throughout the first six modules to taste relevant whiskeys as they pertain to each related topic.
Register to Reserve Your Spot. Space is Limited.
Explore Class Modules
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The History of American Single Malt Whiskey
MODULE 1
Explore the fascinating story behind American Single Malt Whiskey and discover how whiskey traditions from Ireland and Scotland made their way to North America. We’ll trace the historical roots of distilling on the continent and see how climate, agriculture, and culture helped shape whiskey production in the United States. By the end, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how this exciting and relatively new category emerged.
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The Business of American Single Malt Whiskey
MODULE 2
Dive into the rapidly growing world of American Single Malt Whiskey as an industry while you explore how distilleries across the United States are shaping this category and building its identity within the global whiskey market. You’ll gain insight into the forces driving its growth and why so many producers and enthusiasts are excited about its future.
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Raw Materials
MODULE 3
Learn about the essential ingredients that form the foundation of American Single Malt Whiskey. You’ll explore the role of malted barley and how it is prepared and used during the early stages of whiskey-making. Along the way, you’ll begin to see how raw materials influence both production and the character of the final spirit.
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Production Process (From Grain to Liquid)
MODULE 4
Follow the journey of American Single Malt Whiskey from grain to distilled spirit. We’ll introduce the key production stages—such as mashing, fermentation, and distillation—and explain how each step transforms the raw ingredients. This module offers a behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship and decisions that shape every drop.
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Maturation
MODULE 5
Discover how whiskey develops its character as it matures in oak casks and explore how time, wood, and environmental conditions influence the evolving flavors and aromas of the spirit. By understanding maturation, you’ll see how this crucial stage helps define the personality of American Single Malt Whiskey.
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Blending & Bottling
MODULE 6
Learn how distillers bring whiskey to its final form before it reaches your glass. We’ll introduce the role of blending and bottling in shaping consistency, balance, and style. This stage reveals how careful decisions help create the finished whiskey that consumers experience.
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Sensory
MODULE 7
At Dandelion BevEd, we explore this module alongside and throughout the other six modules, helping you develop the skills to properly evaluate and appreciate American Single Malt Whiskey while giving you specific examples of whiskeys that demonstrate each particular topic. We’ll guide you through the fundamentals of nosing and tasting while exploring the aromas, flavors, and textures found in the glass. By the end, you’ll feel more confident describing and enjoying the unique characteristics of this whiskey category.
Developed in partnership with:
Level up your whiskey knowledge and get ahead on this newly regulated category.
EWA Course Educator, Dandelion BevEd Founder
Gina Fossitt
In her two decades of beverage industry adventures, Gina has become one of the most trusted voices in spirits education, known for turning complex production science into inspiring, craveable stories in the glass. After years behind the stick and managing acclaimed beverage programs in New York City, she was tapped to join the elite Diageo Masters of Whisky program, where she began amassing advanced spirits certifications and honing her signature teaching style: rigorous, witty, and relentlessly practical for real-world bartenders, sales teams, and enthusiasts.
Gina quickly moved from educator to architect of education. At The George Dickel Distillery, she led the ambassador internship program and designed a six‑month mentorship that prepared ambassadors for the prestigious IBD General Certificate of Distillation—bridging the gap between brand work and serious technical mastery. She then became U.S. National Ambassador for Lot No. 40 with Corby Spirits and Wine and rose to Trade and Education Manager, where she led global trade and education initiatives and created all trade and sales tools for Corby’s Canadian whisky portfolio.
Recognizing a critical gap in formal training, Gina spearheaded the creation of the first‑ever certification in Canadian whisky—a category-deep dive that set a new benchmark for how Canadian whisky is taught, understood, and celebrated around the world. Her newest venture, Dandelion BevEd, takes that same gold-standard approach to the wider drinks landscape. As founder, Gina leads production and business development for the Eh, B, C’s of Canadian Whisky four‑week Canadian whisky course. She has also produced True Grist: The American Single Malt Experience - the first-of-its-kind 2-day immersive bartender experience on this new category. Through Dandelion BevEd, she designs custom education and engagement programs for suppliers, distributors, and consumer audiences, and serves as an Educator for the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, further cementing her reputation as a global leader in whisky and spirits education.
Never one to ignore what modern drinkers want, Gina also founded the less booze, ALL THE BUZZ! community, a vibrant space for cocktail, wine, and spirits lovers exploring lower‑alcohol versions of their favorite classics. less booze, ALL THE BUZZ! is built on the belief that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing—Gina’s mission is to help drinkers take it down a notch without giving up any of the flavor, complexity, or cocktail‑bar magic.
Whether she’s teaching distillation to industry pros, building certification programs from the ground up, or helping guests rethink what’s in their glass, Gina stands at the forefront of modern spirits education—shaping not just what we drink, but how we understand and enjoy it.
Beverage Industry Certifications:
Advanced Diploma in Scotch Whisky, Edinburgh Whisky Academy
Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey, Edinburgh Whisky Academy
Spirits Level 3 Certification, WSET
Spirits Level 2 Certification, WSET
6 Day Distillers Course, Moonshine U
North American Blending Certification, Diageo
General Certificate in Distilling, IBD
Executive Bourbon Steward, Stave and Thief Bourbon Society
History of Bourbon Certification, Filson Bourbon Academy
Malt Advocate Certification, Diageo
Advanced Level Wine Certification, WSET
Intermediate Level Wine Certification, WSET
EWA History
Founded in 2015 by Kirsty McKerrow, the Edinburgh Whisky Academy is a family-run institution rooted in generations of whisky heritage. The McKerrow family’s legacy dates back to 1815 with Mackinlay’s whisky, famously supplied to Ernest Shackleton’s 1907 Antarctic expedition, while their father Neil McKerrow, former CEO of Glenmorangie, helped revolutionize the industry by pioneering cask-finished whiskies and the brand’s “cradle to grave” cask philosophy.
After working as the Nordic Brand Ambassador for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, Kirsty recognized a lack of credible, brand-neutral whisky education and founded the Academy to address this gap. Today, it offers industry-respected, SQA-certified courses written by independent experts, providing comprehensive education on whisky production, history, business, and sensory appreciation, with the goal of advancing excellence in whisky education worldwide.
The Edinburgh Whisky Academy is the only spirits education centre that is accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
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