Whiskey University has Instructors in the Cleveland Metropolitan Area:

Our faculty currently serves areas in Cuyahoga County, Ohio (1,264,817); Lorain County, Ohio (312,964); Lake County, Ohio (232,603); Geauga County, Ohio (95,397); Warren County, Ohio (212,693); and Medina County, Ohio (182,470) in the Cleveland Metropolitan Area.

Whiskey University’s Faculty

Lt. Col. Ian Moore
Capt. Samantha Mercado

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Lt. Col. Ian Moore

Email address: Ian@WhiskeyUniv.com

Ian Moore has been a member of Whiskey University since August 2021. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Ian earned his Bourbon Diploma on October 26th, 2021.

Lt. Col. Moore is a local Police Officer in a western suburb of Cleveland, OH. Ian was born on March 17th (St. Patrick’s Day) of 1990 in Indianapolis, IN. He grew up in Canton, OH and Toledo, OH. He now lives in Avon Lake, Ohio. Moore is married to Kelly Moore (Balogh).

Ian earned his Associate Degree with 18 classes on December 14th, 2021 at Whiskey University and the title of "Certified Bourbon Taster" and the rank of Lieutenant Jr. Grade in the Bourbon Brigade. On March 8th, 2022, Moore earned his Bachelor of Science Degree with 26 classes, at Whiskey University and the title of "Adjunct Master Bourbon Taster" and the rank of First Lieutenant in the Bourbon Brigade.

Ian’s passion for bourbon began around 2011, while attending The University of Kentucky, where he first tasted America’s Native Spirit. From there, Ian carried the traditions of bourbon, horse racing and UK sports back to Ohio after graduation. Over the next few years, the tasting and collecting really picked up, and he has been hooked ever since. As of the writing of this bio, Ian has 184 different whiskeys, with 263 total bottles, from 56 different distilleries. This also compliments a craft beer collection that includes 216 different beers, with over 500 total cans/bottles, from 73 different breweries. On April 8th, 2022 Captain Moore advanced to earn the Title of “Master Bourbon Taster” by earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree after 34 classes and the rank of Captain in the Bourbon Brigade.

Ian and his wife Kelly have completed the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and try to travel to Kentucky at least once a year. In addition, Ian has completed the entire Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. Ian and Kelly enjoy traveling and try to pick out local distilleries/breweries to visit, with the furthest to date being Jameson and Guinness in Dublin, Ireland. When they bought their first house, Ian struck a deal for the basement. There, Ian and his father-in-law built an Irish style bar coined “Ian’s Bourbon Barrel – Whiskey Bar & Craft Beer”. The bar/basement showcases Ian’s rooted traditions in theme, where his bourbon and beer are displayed, tastings and conversation are a plenty and serves as a study for Whiskey University classes.

Moore graduated on July 13th, 2022 with his Master of Science Degree , the title Chartered Master Bourbon Taster and the rank of Major in the Bourbon Brigade upon the successful completion of 42 classes. On December 6th, 2022 Professor Ian Moore reached the peak of the mountain by earning Whiskey University’s highest degree at 50 classes in the Master of Arts Degree with the accompanying title of “Chartered Master Whiskey Taster” and the rank of Lt. Colonel in the Bourbon Brigade.

Ian Has The Following “Designations” & Credentials:

”Chartered Master Whiskey Taster”

(from the Whiskey University)

Executive Bourbon Steward”

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

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Alchemist Ambassador With Jefferson’s Bourbon

Band Of Rebels, Rebel Yell Association

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Capt. Samantha Mercado

Email address: Samantha@WhiskeyUniv.com

Captain Samantha Mercado has been a member of Whiskey University since February 2023. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Samantha has earned both her Bachelor of Arts Degree and Bachelor of Science Degree with a major concentration in The Bourbon Capital Region of Kentucky from Whiskey University. Samantha holds Whiskey University’s designation of Chartered Master Bourbon Taster and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts Degree.

Samantha has been working in the beverage industry for over 14 years. Her work history includes work as a wine distributor rep in her hometown of Cleveland, OH as well as a regional sales manager for a wine importer from Chicago where she covered multiple states in the Mid-west. Samantha most recently worked for the oldest distillery in the America, Laird and Company as a Midwest regional manager.

Samantha Mercado was born and raised in Lorain County about 40 minutes west of Cleveland, OH. She met her husband David in high school but they didn’t marry until 2018. David is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch in Pepper Pike and Westlake Ohio. Samantha and David are parents to 4 children (Ohio version of the Brady Bunch) with their children’s ages ranging from10-24 years old. Aubrey, Kelsey, Carter, and Jackson. They currently reside in Westlake, Ohio but recently acquired a hobby farm in Avon, OH that they plan to build a new homestead on it sometime in the not-too-distant future. Selling wine in Kentucky, Samanta fell in love with bourbon hunting and bringing home fun bourbons to share with her husband and friends. Samantha found Whiskey University in January of 2023 where she was delighted to start her formal whiskey education.

Bringing two passions together, Samantha also holds the title of Boisset Collection Wine Ambassador. Boisset Collection is one of the most highly awarded and sustainable family-owned wine companies in the world. Boisset Collection is a consortium of hundreds of wines rated over 90 pts from hundreds of sustainably framed vineyards. Sixty centuries of shared winemaking heritage across 25 iconic wine destinations in France and California; all from one extraordinary wine family!

You can book Samantha for a Bourbon Education Experience or a Boisset Wine Collection tasting in your home with your friends and family. She is also available for corporate events with clients in your office or other event spaces.