The Super Bowl of Star Trek --Becoming a Whisky Master
After spending eight months studying, testing, and tasting, this was the Super Bowl of whisky certifications. Two long days of nerve-wracking exams all came to this. Nervous doesn't do justice to how I felt. Would I score the game-winning touchdown or go home empty-handed?
"The council would like to see Justin Boyer." It was time to choose the direction my life would take. I could either join the Council of Whiskey Masters, or I'd have to continue the rigorous study for a while and try again later.
We were in the visitor center at Buffalo Trace Distillery. A beautiful building that now stretched endlessly as I contemplated what words I would hear at the judges' table.
"I now present to the panel, Justin Boyer."
My Whisky Story
I had always enjoyed whisky to some degree. Like so many others, Johnnie Walker was my introduction to Scotch. My mom purchased a sample pack from Red Label up to Blue. From the first sip, the touch of smoke hooked me.
After enjoying blends for years (and progressing through my "rum phase"), I didn't think about single malts. All that changed in June 2019 when I went to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia. I saw a Scotch-tasting event on the park map and told my wife I had to try it.
This is the day I went from proverbially playing catch in the backyard with my dad to realizing I wanted to be catching balls from an NFL QB. There were three whiskies. I only remember two of them: Highland Park 12 and Talisker Storm. Those are the only two I ever needed.
Thus began my Highland Park obsession. After I came home, I learned all I could about the distillery. I bought the 12-year-old, the Magnus, the Full Volume, and my crown jewel, the 15-year Fire Edition, which I drove a couple of hours to get. I regret nothing.
Eventually, I began to explore more distilleries and learn about how whisky is made and its history. The mahogany liquid swirling in my glass became an intricate tapestry of myriad threads–the malt, peat, copper, cuts, wood, and chemical reactions–all weaving together unpredictably.
Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations
Other spirits pale in comparison to whisky regarding flavor varieties and combinations. In Star Trek, the basis of Vulcan philosophy is "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations." That's the basis of whisky philosophy as well. There is an infinite difference even in one category, such as Scotch. Two casks with the same spirit sitting next to each other for the same time likely have noticeably different flavor components.
As a collector, whisky is a gold mine of endless unique expressions (and my wallet does not thank me for that).
I recently purchased a Springbank bottle from an online auction. It's part of a private collection from a cask filled in 1996 and bottled in 2020. It's not something you can get from a store shelf. It's also one of the most exquisite drams I've ever had–not to mention the Superman symbol on the label. What more do I need to say?
That is one of the reasons why I love whisky. The thrill of the hunt. The exploration of infinite possibilities. The journey never ends, and that's okay. I would never want it to.
The other reason I love whisky is sharing it with friends and family. Holding whisky tastings and telling stories over a dram is one of life's simple yet most meaningful joys. Finding that unique bottle only matters when I have someone to share it with.
You may ask, "Why did you become a Master of Scotch?" I was curious to see if there was any way to codify whisky knowledge. Wine has sommeliers; why can't whisky? I've always been hungry for more knowledge. I'm the weirdo that enjoys all of the behind-the-scenes content on DVDs. I want to know how things work.
That's when I discovered The Council of Whiskey Masters. Their training program has been nothing short of outstanding. I've learned more than I ever thought I could. I've opened my palate to fantastic new flavors. I've met some of the pillars of the industry. Becoming a Master was how to get closer to the industry I love. I wanted to be more than a consumer. I wanted to learn how to make, enjoy, and introduce others to the tapestry.
Now back to the Super Bowl.
My heart rate thoroughly increased, bracing myself for the bad news I was sure was coming. I walked gingerly to the table where the judging panel waited. Council Director Jorn "Joey" Kleinhans began speaking as if in slow motion.
"Justin, the judges have deliberated and evaluated your performance, and you have passed the exam. Congratulations!" It was something to that effect; it was hard to hear over my heartbeat.
The rush of relief coming over me was like winning the Super Bowl on a last-second field goal (something I wouldn't know much about being a Panthers fan, stupid Patriots). Tears were welling, and at a loss for words, I could barely get out the words "Thank you" over the growing lump in my throat.
For context, my final part of the exam was over at around 10:45 am that morning, and it was about 8:00 pm, so I had all day to contemplate my failures.
I have to say that the judges were fantastic. They understood how nervous we were and, thankfully, saw the skill and passion underneath it all.
So what's next? I'm still trying to figure some of that out. I've started my blog/newsletter here and a YouTube channel called The Heart Cut. I'm putting feelers out for tastings at local bars and restaurants. And I'm hoping to get into the whisky writing world eventually, once I earn my place.
Until then, I boldly go, exploring the infinite possibilities, waiting to take advantage of the possibilities now available to me as a Master of Scotch.
