Whiskey University has Instructors in the Memphis Metropolitan Area
Our faculty currently serves Shelby County, Tennessee (937,166); Fayette County, Tennessee (40,507); and Tipton County, Tennessee (61,581); Lauderdale County, Tennessee (25,825) as well as Crittenden County, Arkansas (50,902) in the Memphis Metropolitan Area.
Whiskey University’s Faculty
Professor Lt. Col. Donnie Sappington
Lt. Col. Joe Grimoldi
1st Lt. Nichole Roberts
1st Lt. Glenn Hopper
Lt.Jr.Grd Clayton Moore
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Professor Lt. Col. Donnie Sappington
Email address: Donnie@WhiskeyUniv.com
Whiskey University Partner
Member of the Board of Directors
Whiskey University Recruiter
Professor Donnie Sappington has been a member of Whiskey University since late 2020. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Donnie earned his Bourbon Diploma on January 24th, 2021.
Donnie grew up in North Mississippi and currently resides in Memphis, Tennessee; he is married to Paula and has three children and one grandchild. Captain Sappington has worked with Mar-Val Process Equipment in Industrial Valve Sales for over a dozen years, traveling across Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. He holds a Master of Health Administration degree from The University of Memphis.
Donnie was one of the first students in West Tennessee to earn his Associate Degree after passing 15 classes on May 25th, 2021. On August 3rd, 2018 Donnie earned his Bachelors of Science Degree with 24 classes, at Whiskey University and the title of "Adjunct Master Bourbon Taster." Professor Sappington taught his first tasting on September 10, 2021, Bourbon 201. He also teaches “The Big 3” and “Whiskey Row Region.”
Professor Donnie Sappington earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree and title of “Master Bourbon Taster” at Whiskey University after passing 30 classes while achieving the Rank of Captain in the Bourbon Brigade on September 30, 2021. Donnie’s Major is in The Bourbon Capital Region. He is also a Certified Bourbon Steward with The Stave and Thief Society.
Donnie had the typical college experience with “bourbon and coke,” but his whiskey journey really took off a couple of decades later! In 2012, a summer vacation in Park City, Utah, led him to a whiskey flight tasting at High West’s Saloon. That flight of rye and other High West American Whiskeys started a journey that has added friends all over the country and the establishment of two Memphis-based whiskey groups. He proudly serves as President of Agreeable Interlude American Whiskey Society (Memphis) and as Social Chairman of the Memphis Muddy Water Society.
Professor Sappington looks forward to continuing his education with Whiskey University and sharing with you historical stories and experiences to include Bourbon, Rye and Tennessee Whiskeys. Outside the enjoyment of sharing great bourbons and ryes with friends, family and strangers, Donnie enjoys traveling with family; playing mediocre golf and pickleball; and watching sports. His sports teams are Mississippi State University, University of Memphis in College Athletics and Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Cubs and he tries to cheer for the Tennessee Titans.
Donnie Has The Following “Designations” & Credentials:
”Chartered Master Bourbon Taster”
(from the Whiskey University)
”Certified Bourbon Steward”
(from the Stave & Thief Society)
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President, Agreeable Interlude American Whiskey Society
Social Chairman, Memphis Muddy Water Society
Mid-south Bourbon Brotherhood, Member
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Lt. Col. Joe Grimoldi
Email address: Joe.Grimoldi@WhiskeyUniv.com
Joe Grimoldi has been a member of Whiskey University late in 2020. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Joe earned his Bourbon Diploma in General Whiskey Studies on March 31st, 2021.
Joe was one in the fourth nationwide semester of Whiskey University’s “Train-the-Trainer” program and went on to earn his Associate Degree after passing 15 classes on May 20th, 2021. Grimoldi teaches “Whiskey 101, Bourbon 201” and Tennessee Whiskey 202.” On July 13th, 2021 Joe earned his Bachelors of Science Degree with a Major in The Bourbon Capital Region at 24 classes from Whiskey University with the title of "Adjunct Master Bourbon Taster" and the rank of First Lieutenant in the Bourbon Brigade.
Grimoldi is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from McKendree University (Lebanon, IL) and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Southern Illinois University (Edwardsville, IL). Though originally a Scotch enthusiast, Joe became fascinated with bourbon and its history while residing briefly in Northern Kentucky. Joe and his wife Celeste recently moved to the Memphis area in November, 2020.
Joe has the following “Designations” & Credentials:
”Chartered Master Whiskey Taster”
(from Whiskey University)
”Certified Bourbon Taster”
(from the Stave & Thief Society)
Professor 1st Lt. Nichole Roberts
Email address: Nichole@WhiskeyUniv.com
Professor Nichole Roberts has been a member of Whiskey University since November 2020. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Nichole earned her Bourbon Diploma on November 30th, 2020.
1st Lt. Roberts is a medical administrative assistant and bartender in Memphis, Tennessee. Nichole was born in December 1976 in Memphis, Tennessee. She currently resides in Cordova, Tennessee and is single with one kid in college.
Nichole was one of the first seventy students to earn her Associate Degree after passing 16 classes on February 23rd, 2021 and earning the title of a “Certified Bourbon Taster.” Nichole taught her first class on October 25th, 2021 when she taught the "Bourbon 201 Tasting Class.” On September 27th, 2021 Nichole earned her Bachelor of Science Degree with 25 classes, at Whiskey University along with the title of "Adjunct Master Bourbon Taster" and the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the Bourbon Brigade.
It’s been well over 10 years ago I remember telling my close friend and bartender I wanted to learn to drink whiskey, so he started me with various cocktails over some time. At what point I do not remember, but I went from cocktails to drinking bourbon neat. When something interests me enough I try to learn more and there just happened to be a bourbon class being taught locally I decided to pay the fee for. That was my bourbon steward class, which really changed the world of bourbon for me. Prior to my class in July 2019 I maybe had 3-4 bottles on my home bar, now I have a China cabinet full of various bourbons and whiskeys. Bourbon is such a social element and Peggy Stevens Noe summed it up best in her recent book “Which Fork Do I Pair With My Bourbon” – “Bourbon is not just a spirit. It's a lifestyle”. You can easily have an hour long chat with complete strangers over a pour of bourbon and walk away with a new friend. That’s something that makes bourbon special for me and to be part of such an incredible community of folks literally all over the world.
Nichole has the following “Designations” & Credentials:
”Master Bourbon Taster”
(from Whiskey University)
”Certified Bourbon Steward”
(from the Stave & Thief Society)
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Mid-south Bourbon Brotherhood, Member
Member, Bourbon Women
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1st Lt. Glenn Hopper
Email address: Glenn.Hopper@Whiskeyuniv.com
Glenn has the following “Designations” and Credentials:
”Master Bourbon Taster”
(from Whiskey University)
”Certified Bourbon Steward”
(from the Stave & Thief Society)
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Lt.Jr.Grd Clayton Moore
Clay has the following “Designations” and Credentials:
”Certified Bourbon Taster”
(from Whiskey University)
Cities or towns in this service area for Bourbon and Whiskey Tasting Classes include Memphis, TN; Germantown, TN; Collierville, TN; Cordova, TN; Bartlett, TN; Lakeland, TN; Arlington, TN; Eads, TN; Fisherville, TN; Millington, TN; Ellendale, TN; Hickory Hill; Covington, TN; Brighton, TN; Monford, TN; Atoka, TN; Drummonds, TN; Mason, TN; Burlison, TN; Stanton, TN; Summerville, TN; Oakland, TN; Rossville, TN; Moscow, TN; Grand Junction, TN; and Whitesville, TN; Ripley, TN; Gates, TN; Halls, TN; Henning, TN; Ripley, TN. We also service these cities and towns of Marion, AR; West Memphis, AR; Crawfordsville, AR; Proctor, AR; Turrell; AR; Earle, AR; Tyronza, AR; and Hughes; AR.