This season has come around again.
Whisky Culture Research Institute Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President: Mamoru Tsuchiya) will hold the “2026 Whisky Expert (WE) Examination,” the first stage of the Whisky Connoisseur certification program that tests all knowledge and appraisal skills related to whisky, at two venues in Tokyo and Osaka on Sunday, May 24.
Preparation seminars will also be held in conjunction with the exam. We encourage you to take advantage of these.
- 1. What is “Whisky Connoisseur”?
- 2. What is “Whisky Expert (WE)”?
- 3. About the “Whisky Expert (WE) Examination”
- 4. About the “Whisky Expert (WE) Exam Preparation Seminar”
- 5. What is the “Whisky Connoisseur Club”?
- 6. About the Whisky Culture Institute
- 7. Summary
- Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
1. What is “Whisky Connoisseur”?
“Connoisseur” means “appraiser.” The Whisky Connoisseur certification program, administered by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, is Japan’s only qualification system that tests all aspects of whisky knowledge and appraisal skills.
The qualification has three levels: starting with the first level, “Whisky Expert,” progressing to “Whisky Professional,” and culminating in the final level, “Master of Whisky.”
https://whiskyconnoisseur.jp/ (Whisky Connoisseur HP)
2. What is “Whisky Expert (WE)”?
This is the first level of the Whisky Connoisseur certification exam. It consists of a multiple-choice written test.
It is utilized as a qualification that can be applied to work by those involved in the import, distribution, and sales of alcoholic beverages, as well as bartenders, restaurant staff, and others.
Successful candidates receive a certification badge and certificate. They also gain membership to the exclusive ” Whisky Connoisseur Club,” open only to holders of this qualification.
・Total examinees: 7,442 (as of 2025)
・Total number of successful candidates: 3,806 (as of 2025)
3. About the “Whisky Expert (WE) Examination”
【Event Overview】
・Date and Time: Sunday, May 24, 2026, 14:30–16:00
・Held in Tokyo and Osaka
【Examination Method】
Written exam (90 minutes / Multiple-choice format, approximately 100 questions)
【Eligibility】
・20 years of age or older
・No restrictions on occupation or experience
・Individuals interested in whisky who wish to acquire the expertise befitting a whisky expert
【Examination Fee】
・Whisky Culture Institute Members: ¥18,700 (tax included)
・General: ¥22,000 (tax included)
【Results Notification】
Results mailed approximately one month after the exam.
【Certification Fee】
¥11,000 (tax included)
【Exam Overview & Application Method】
For details, refer to the link below.
4. About the “Whisky Expert (WE) Exam Preparation Seminar”
Date and Time
Tokyo Venue: Sunday, March 22, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:50 PM
Online Course: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 – Monday, May 11, 2026 (tentative)
＜Registration Opens＞Wednesday, April 8, 2026
＜Application Deadline＞Thursday, April 30, 2026, 12:00 PM (Payment Deadline: April 30)
Organizer: Whisky Culture Institute Co., Ltd.
【Program】
9:25 AM Orientation
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM ① About Scotch Whisky【90 min】
11:10–12:10 ② About Irish Whisky【60 min】
12:10–13:00 Break [50 min]
1:00 PM – 2:10 PM ③ About Japanese Whisky【70 min】
14:20–15:10 ④ American and Canadian Whisky [50 min]
15:20–16:50 ⑤ Malt Whisky Production【90 min】
*Curriculum content is subject to change without notice.
【Detailed Information and How to Apply】
For details, please check the Whisky Connoisseur website.
5. What is the “Whisky Connoisseur Club”?
Whisky Connoisseur certification holders who apply for membership in the Connoisseur Club and pay the annual membership fee of ¥6,600 (tax included) become “Connoisseur Club Members.” Membership benefits include receiving the quarterly newsletter, invitations to Whisky Festivals, access to exclusive events, and the right to purchase limited-edition bottles.
https://whiskyconnoisseur.jp/club/ (Whisky Connoisseur Club website)
6. About the Whisky Culture Institute
The Whisky Culture Institute is an organization dedicated to promoting whisky culture, led by whisky critic Mamoru Tsuchiya.
Since its founding in March 2001, it has conducted research to deeply study whisky and alcoholic beverage culture both domestically and internationally, collecting and disseminating information.
It has also collaborated with industry professionals to plan, develop, and implement initiatives aimed at cultivating whisky enthusiasts and drinkers, and promoting whisky culture.
It edits and publishes Japan’s only dedicated whisky magazine, ‘Whisky Galore’, plans and operates events like the Whisky Festival, and administers the “Whisky Connoisseur Certification Examination” – a qualification system testing whisky knowledge and appraisal skills – as well as the “Whisky Certification” exam, which tests knowledge for enjoying whisky.
Furthermore, since 2019, it has operated the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC), Japan’s only competition judging whiskies and spirits from around the world.
【Company Overview】
Company Name: Whisky Culture Institute Co., Ltd.
Headquarters Address: 5F Tech Hiroo Building, 1-10-5 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0012
President: Mamoru Tsuchiya
Business Activities: Editing and publishing Whisky Galore / Editing and publishing Whisky Connoisseur Certification Exam textbooks / Writing and supervising whisky-related books / Planning and operating Whisky Festivals / Planning and operating the Whisky Connoisseur Certification Exam / Operating the Whisky Certification Exam / Operating the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC) / Providing whisky production advice and technical guidance
Established: March 2001
Website: https://scotchclub.org/
7. Summary
Becoming a Whisky Connoisseur offers many benefits. The quarterly information magazine is said to contain quite specialized information, so it’s recommended.
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
