The Islay Whisky Academy Certificate
Further Exploration of Whisky with the Islay Whisky Academy Certificate
The Islay Whisky Academy (IWA) certificate is 3 days of learning, with a focus on understanding and appreciating the aromas and flavours of Scotch whisky in context with the landscape and history of Scotland.
- Day 1 – Distilleries and their location in the landscape.
- Day 2 – Think like a master blender. Nosing, Tasting and evaluating the liquid in our glass. Looking at Biology and Chemistry and how they relate to our experience of whisky.
- Day 3 – Heritage and History of the Isle of Islay and Scotch Whisky.
The IWA is expanding the range of courses we offer. We aim to provide the perfect whisky education for all levels. The Certificate is a new course for 2026 that will run from July 17th to July 19th. Three nights’ accommodation is provided – Thursday 16th, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th. The course will finish in the afternoon of the 19th.
IWA Certificate Course Day by Day
Day 1: You will visit various Islay distilleries and learn why they are located in that specific place. How did a distillery begin making whisky there, and when did it start? What is a Puffer, and what do they have to do with distilleries? What do most distilleries have in common that allowed them to succeed when others vanished?
Day 2: Focus on whisky and you. You will develop your ability to nose, taste and evaluate what you drink. Focus on the liquid. We will search for flavours and aromas in our whisky, then trace them back to the production process, where these molecules were created. You will work with glasses of whisky, and learn to focus your senses and to communicate what you are experiencing with others.
Day 3: A deep dive into Islay and its history. Why are there so many distilleries in Islay? Why is Islay whisky predominantly peated? Why, when Laphroaig came into formal existence, could they collect their own Excise Duty, rather than have an outside agency come in to take money? Why was Islay the central pivot around which all commerce, spirituality, and defence revolved in days of old? Learning where whiskymaking first began allows us to further understand the history and heritage of Scotch.
The dates for the IWA Certificate 2026 are 16- 19 July.
Luxury Accommodation is provided in the heart of Bowmore for Thurs 16, Fri 17, Sat 18, finishing up 16.00 on Sunday 19th.
Book now to secure your place. A non-returnable deposit of £450 is required. This can be transferred to the next course if you are unable to attend for any reason and inform us 4 weeks before the course start date.
Beautiful Shared Twin Room Accommodation with ensuite £1262
Single Occupancy Option £1560
Email info@islaywhiskyacademy.org and let us know which accommodation option you choose.
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