James Kirk has been a member of Whiskey University since early 2024.   With his passion and experience in the Spirits industry, it took him just one year to rise through the ranks to become a Major in the Bourbon Brigade. To him, whiskey is not just a spirit, it is the sum of all its parts. From the history behind the founders of that distillery, the grains used, the techniques of manufacturing, the location,  and aging process all come into play when we take a drink from that glass.  James has been an instructor/trainer/teacher for his entire professional life and his cultural anthropology degree allows him to share his passion for the Spirits world.

Professor Kirk was born in Arizona, and started his spirits journey there with Tequila.  He visited many Tequila factories throughout Mexico learning the history and cultural significance of the Agave plant. He later fell in love with the sweet flavors of Rum. As a scuba instructor, James traveled throughout the Caribbean tasting numerous varieties of Rum. It was here that he gained an appreciation of the terroir that each location imparted on the spirit; from Jamaican funkiness to the smooth highland Guatemala aging process.  This fueled his desire, and soon James was making his own alcohol.  He dabbled in Liqueurs, but the real experimentation began with home brewing. While living in Colorado, James spent over 10 years brewing, experimenting, and perfecting his craft. As a member of the home brewer association, he was invited to work at the Great American Beer Festival as a judge, bartender, pourer, and keg runner. In 2017, James was given an opportunity by his employer (Intuit) to leave Colorado or take a year severance. He decided to stay in Colorado, and started his own alcohol business Specialty Libations. Specialty Libations taught classes on bartending and making beer, wine, and cider. His classes were popular, but didn’t pay the bills; so he started helping out at a local craft distillery. Working for J and L distillery he quickly advanced his knowledge and experience of fine craft spirits. James learned all aspects of the spirits world from Marketing, Retail, Wholesale, Production, and Compliance. In 2018, he became a distiller and several of his first batches of Vodka, Gin, and the famed FYR liqueur gained awards at the Breckenridge craft Spirits Festival. After years of distilling and managing a distillery, in 2021 he decided to start a new adventure at his family home in Alaska. Not having an expertise in whiskey production led him to Whiskey University.  It was here that he gained his love for the history, traditions, and science behind the water of life “Uisce Beatha”.

Today, James is working to start his own craft distillery in Alaska. Through his teaching and participation in the craft spirits world he hopes to capture the spirit of Alaska and share his creations with the world. James has completed Majors in the “Bluegrass Region, Bourbon Capital Region, Whiskey Row Region and in World Whiskey”. He became a “Chartered Master Bourbon Taster” with the rank of Major in the Bourbon Brigade after taking his 50th class and earning his Master of Science Degree on December 24th of 2024. Professor Kirk looks forward to sharing a dram with you.

James has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

”Chartered Master Bourbon Taster”

(from the Whiskey University)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *