An 11-Part Spirits Tasting & Education Series
Curated by Wine Scholars founder, Alex Morales
Why Spirits Scholars?
After building a strong community through Wine Scholars, it became clear: the same people who love learning about wine are also curious about the wider world of spirits. From mezcal to Scotch, we kept hearing the same thing at tastings:
"It would be fun to learn more about this too."
So here it is: Spirits Scholars—a new educational tasting series created to explore spirits with the same relaxed, thoughtful, and curious approach that’s made Wine Scholars so popular.
This is not a mixology class or a bar crawl. It’s a structured (but fun) deep dive into the major spirits categories—how they’re made, how they taste, and how to talk about them confidently.
What to Expect
Each session explores one spirit category, featuring four hand-selected bottles. You'll get:
A guided tasting led by an Enthusiast or Alex (sommelier-in-training and Spirits Scholars founder)
Tasting notes, context, and production background
Bottle recommendations you can revisit later
A relaxed, welcoming environment—no prior experience needed
Classes (Bottles are TBD/Examples)
1. Mezcal – Earth, Smoke & Soul
The spirit that sparked the series.
Del Maguey Vida (Espadín)
El Jolgorio Tobalá (Wild Agave)
Real Minero Madrecuixe (Rare Variety)
Bozal Ensamble (Blend of Agave Types)
2. Scotch Whisky – The Four Corners of Scotland
A crash course in terroir, peat, and style.
Glenfiddich 12 (Speyside)
Oban 14 (Highland)
Laphroaig 10 (Islay)
Auchentoshan Three Wood (Lowland)
3. American Whiskey – Bourbon vs. Rye
Unpacking America’s native spirit(s).
Buffalo Trace (Classic Bourbon)
Four Roses Small Batch (High-Rye Bourbon)
Maker’s Mark (Wheated Bourbon)
WhistlePig 10 (Straight Rye)
4. Irish Whiskey – Triple Distilled Traditions
Smooth, subtle, and full of history.
Jameson Black Barrel (Blended)
Redbreast 12 (Single Pot Still)
Bushmills 10 (Single Malt)
Connemara (Peated Irish)
5. Japanese Whisky – Balance & Craft
East meets West in disciplined flavor.
Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve (Single Malt - light peat)
Yamazaki 12 (Single Malt)
Nikka Coffey Grain (Grain Whisky)
Hibiki Harmony (Blended Whisky)
6. Cognac & Armagnac – Grapes & Gascony
Where wine becomes spirit—with elegance.
Hennessy VS (Cognac)
Pierre Ferrand Selection des Anges (XO Cognac)
Château de Laubade VSOP (Armagnac)
Darroze Vintage (Small Batch Armagnac)
7. Rum – The Wild World of Sugarcane
Sweet, funky, and everything in between.
Rhum Clément VSOP (Agricole, Martinique)
Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva (Aged Venezuelan)
Smith & Cross (Jamaican Funk)
Plantation OFTD (Overproof Blend)
8. Tequila – Jalisco’s Jewel
Agave, tradition, and time in barrel.
Fortaleza Blanco (Blanco)
El Tesoro Reposado (Reposado)
Don Julio Añejo (Anejo)
Clase Azul Añejo (Anejo - Luxury)
9. Gin – Botanicals in a Bottle
Classic to contemporary expressions.
Beefeater (London Dry)
Hayman’s (Old Tom)
St. George Botanivore (Craft/Contemporary)
Barr Hill Reserve (Barrel-Aged)
10. Aperitifs & Digestifs – A Bittersweet Finish
The unsung heroes of before and after.
Amaro Montenegro (Italian Amaro)
Lillet Blanc (French Aperitif Wine)
Green Chartreuse (French Herbal Liqueur)
Fernet-Branca or Lo-Fi Amaro (Bitter Amaro)
11. Vodka – Purity & Personality
You might actually care about vodka after this.
Ketel One / Grey Goose (Wheat-Based)
Chopin / Luksusowa (Potato-Based)
Belvedere (Rye-Based)
Cîroc (Grape-Based)
(Optional: Tito’s or Crystal Head for filtration comparison)
🍸 Who It’s For
Wine Scholars members who want to expand their knowledge
Anyone who’s ever asked, “What is the difference between mezcal and tequila?”
No prior spirits knowledge required—just curiosity and good company.
👋 Final Sip (For Now…)
This series is just the beginning. Whether you join us for every class or pop in for your favorites, we hope Spirits Scholars becomes a place to explore the world of spirits together—with curiosity, clarity, and a shared pour or two.
Cheers to the journey—one sip at a time.
– Alex, Founder of Spirits Scholars
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