About THE WHISKY ACADEMY
The backstory
In 2015, Anne Gigney established the Tasmanian Whisky Academy with the vision to support the growth of the Australian distilling industry by providing a place where people interested in distilling could learn.
In 2016, when the number of distilleries in Tasmania were fewer than 30 and in Australia less than 60, Anne undertook a skills and workforce assessment of the Tasmanian industry looking both to Tasmania, Australia and overseas to understand the industry training needs and to create a snapshot of training opportunities and future for the industry.
In 2017, Anne commenced delivery of the Foundations of Distilling course, working with the legendary Patrick Maguire former GM and Head Distiller at Sullivans Cove Distillery and Dave Magill the then GM of Moo Brew Brewery, alongside visits to the Nonesuch Distillery. In the same year Anne formed a partnership with the Institute of Brewing and Distilling with the goal to bring globally-recognised industry-standard distilling training to Australia and New Zealand. Since 2017, Anne has been running the IBD General Certificate of Distilling Masterclasses and has had touch points with over 750 distillers since.
In 2018, Anne formed a partnership with business guru Troy Trewin to establish The Distillers Institute to support people interested to set up properly planned and successful distilling businesses.
Anne, through the Tasmanian Whisky Academy continues to run the Institute of Brewing and Distilling's courses in Australia and NZ.
About the IBD's Masterclasses
The Tasmanian Whisky Academy deliver's the Institute of Brewing and Distilling's globally-recognised technical Masterclasses in Australia and New Zealand with the goal of assisting distillers to improve their technical knowledge and understanding of the distilling process.
The Institute of Brewing and Distilling's qualifications are portable globally and undertaking the IBDs online study alongside the Masterclass events is an offering that build skills, knowledge and confidence but also builds a network of like-minded distillers from around the country.
The Masterclasses are delivered by Ian Thorn, the IBD's international tutor for distilling and one of the region's only qualified Master Distillers. The Masterclasses cover the chemistry of distilling, equipment, mash and fermentation, distillation process, maintenance, maturation and many other elements of distilling.
How else can The Whisky Academy help?
Anne has been supporting people in the industry since 2015 and has a deep sense of the options and opportunities available in relation to the industry, the pathway in and the training options available.
The IBD's training is certainly the global industry standard, but Australia does have a good array of other training options including hands-on courses, business setup through The Distillers Institute, learning through the Adelaide University, the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and many distilleries that offer experiential learning.
In the coming years, it is expected that a recognised Australian qualification will support people in the industry which will be a good accompaniment to training available.
If you would like to discuss training, reach out to Anne.