My First Learning Course

Written By Peter Zorzetto

Whisky Masterclass Review – Online Whisky Training Course

Cost: $159 AUD

As part of my commitment to better understanding whisky—not just drinking it—I enrolled in the Whisky Masterclass online training course https://www.whiskymasterclass.com . My goal wasn’t to become a connoisseur overnight, but to build a solid foundation that would help me make sense of styles, production methods, and flavours, while also guiding future decisions such as private casks and distillery engagement.

Overall, the course delivered exactly that: a beginner-friendly, well-structured introduction to whisky that balances theory with practical tasting.

Week One – Whisky Origins & Global Styles

Week one focused on the history of whisky and the standards required for producing whisky in different regions. The course covered:

  • Scotch Whisky

  • Bourbon (USA)

  • Japanese Whisky

  • A brief introduction to World Whisky

The videos were short, clear, and easy to digest—long enough to be informative without becoming boring. Explanations were deliberately simple, making this week ideal for beginners or anyone looking to reset their understanding from the ground up.

Week One Homework – Tastings

Scotch: Talisker 10 Year Old (Islands Region)

Bourbon: Bulleit Bourbon (USA)

Japanese: Yamazaki 12 Year Old

This tasting highlighted just how distinct regional styles can be, even with minimal prior knowledge.

Week Two – How Whisky Is Made

Week two was one of the most valuable sections of the course. It broke down how whisky is made, starting with the three core ingredients:

  • Grain

  • Water

  • Yeast

From there, the course introduced:

  • The basic production process

  • Different types of stills

  • Whisky styles, including:

    • Single Malt

    • Single Grain

    • Single Cask

    • Blended Whisky

    • Independent Bottlings

A large focus was placed on maturation, explaining how flavour is influenced by:

  • Cask size

  • Climate

  • Type of wood

  • Previous cask contents (ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, ex-port, ex-wine, and even craft beer)

The course also covered different oak types:

  • American Oak

  • European Oak

  • French Oak

  • Mizunara Oak

It highlighted how countries like Japan and Australia have more flexible regulations, while Bourbon and Scotch must adhere to stricter oak requirements.

There was also an interesting section on finishing, showing how secondary maturation can significantly alter flavour profiles.

Finally, the course touched on marketing and storytelling, explaining how labels, branding, and distillery narratives influence perception and popularity—something many drinkers overlook.

Week Two Liquid Homework

  • Lagavulin 16 Year Old – Single Malt

  • Hibiki Harmony (NAS) – Blended whisky

  • The Chita – Single Grain

  • Mitchell’s Straight Rye (Single Barrel)

  • Cadenhead Arran 20 Year Old – Single Cask, Independent Bottling

This lineup did an excellent job of reinforcing the theory with real-world examples.

Week Three – Tasting Whisky Properly

Week three introduced a structured approach to tasting whisky using:

  • Colour

  • Nose

  • Palate

  • Finish

It also covered different ways to enjoy whisky:

  • Neat

  • With water

  • With ice

  • In cocktails

Glassware was discussed, with the Glencairn glass highlighted as the most popular choice for concentrating aromas and opening up flavours.

Key practical tips included:

  • Tasting a maximum of six whiskies in one session

  • Starting with lighter flavours and lower ABV first

The course also introduced classic whisky cocktails:

  • Highball

  • Manhattan

  • Old Fashioned

  • Whisky Sour

A strong point was the advice to avoid using premium, aged, or rare whiskies in cocktails, with blended whisky being the most suitable option.

Additional topics included:

  • Choosing good whisky venues and bottle shops

  • Looking for knowledgeable staff who sell to your taste, not trends

  • Basic food pairing principles (lighter whisky with lighter foods, richer whisky with richer dishes)

Week Three Liquid Homework – Cocktails

  • Old Fashioned

  • Boulevardier

  • Whisky Highball / Smoky Highball

Week Four – Whisky Investment & Storage

The final week provided a brief but useful introduction to whisky investment and bottle storage.

Topics included:

  • Investing in bottles vs casks

  • Buying through whisky auctions (online and in-person)

  • Using reputable companies for cask investment

Cask investing was presented as having strong potential, with the distillery storing and managing the whisky while the investor owns the cask. Importantly, the course also highlighted the risks, particularly around transparency and understanding the full process before committing.

Week Four Liquid Homework – Investment Bottles

  • Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara

  • Ichiro’s Malt & Grain Limited Edition

  • Macallan Edition No. 5

  • Highland Park 25 Year Old

  • Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old

These examples demonstrated what tends to attract long-term collector and investor interest.

Final Thoughts

For $159 AUD, the Whisky Masterclass provides excellent value for anyone starting—or restarting—their whisky education. It doesn’t overwhelm, avoids unnecessary jargon, and focuses on building a practical understanding of whisky that can be applied immediately.

For me, it reinforced just how much there is to learn and confirmed that slowing down, tasting thoughtfully, and understanding the process is just as important as what’s in the glass.

If you’re curious about whisky and want a structured, approachable way to deepen your appreciation, this course is a solid place to start.

Peter Zorzetto
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