Professor Andy Chirip has been a member of Whiskey University since 2020. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Andy earned his Bourbon Diploma on December 29th, 2020.

Captain Chirip is a Principal Customer Success Account Manager at a Software Company based in Redmond, Washington. Andy was born in January of 1962 in Denville, NJ. He grew up in Mine Hill NJ. He now lives in Frelinghuysen, New Jersey. Chirip is married to Jenny Shotwell.

Andy and Jenny live on a small farm called “The Farm at Gnome Hollow. On the farm he has a small maple syrup business where he bottles his own artisan brand of syrup call “Chirip Sirip”. He has taken his passion for bourbon and paired it with his maple syrup obsession. The combination is a Bourbon Barrel Aged maple syrup. In a partnership with the local NJ Maker’s Mark diplomat, he has aged maple syrup in barrels “seasoned” with Maker’s 46. This pairing has been used at numerous charity events hosted by Maker’s Mark featuring Maker’s 46 cocktails combined with the barrel aged syrup.

Andy’s passion for bourbon began around 2002, when his youngest brother introduced him to Maker’s Mark bourbon. He and his brothers, (there are 4 boys), were hooked and immediately signed up as Maker’s Mark Ambassadors. He has been a bourbon consumer & collector ever since. Many years later he moved into his current residence where he was able to build a bar in the basement. The bourbon collection began to grow. His Whiskey University education and classes has contributed to a significant increase in the bourbon collection. As of the writing of this bio, there are 283 different whiskeys that include 199 different bourbons in the collection!

Andy earned his Associate Degree after passing 15 classes on February 17th, 2021. Andy taught his first class on June 23rd 2021, when he taught the “Bourbon 201 class. He has also taught “The Whiskey Row Region”, “The Bourbon Capital Region” and the Maker’s Mark Brands Tastings. On July 7th, 2021, Chirip earned his Bachelor of Science Degree with 24 classes, at Whiskey University and the title of "Adjunct Master Bourbon Taster" and the rank of First Lieutenant in the Bourbon Brigade. On September 7th, 2021 Captain Chirip advanced to earn the Title of “Master Bourbon Taster” by earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree and the rank of Captain in the Bourbon Brigade. Andy became one of the first 40 graduate students to earn his Master of Science Degree and the rank of Major in the Bourbon Brigade on October 7th, 2021. Lt. Colonel Chirip obtained the highest degree awarded by Whiskey University on November 15th, 2021 when earned his Master of Arts Degree and became a Senior Chartered Master Bourbon Taster.

Andy has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

”Chartered Master Bourbon Taster”

(from the Whiskey University)

”Executive Bourbon Steward”

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

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