American Whiskey. Shared Curiosity.
A free resource for discovering the history, craft and character of American whiskey—and finding more to appreciate in every glass.
A Personal Journey, an Open Invitation
I’m Ben Hoshour, founder of the US Whiskey Academy. I live in Brookings, Oregon, with my wife and our five dogs. The Academy grew out of a personal interest that kept leading to another question, another book and another discovery.
My journey began with wine. I became a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) through the Society of Wine Educators and completed the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines. That study gave structure to my curiosity: how a drink is made, what shapes its character and how to pay closer attention to what is in the glass.
Over time, my tastes and research turned increasingly toward whiskey, especially American whiskey. Its history, regional variety and possibilities for flavor gave me more to explore. The US Whiskey Academy is the fruit of that continuing work—a way to share what I learn and give others useful paths into a subject I love.
A Researcher’s Curiosity
My interest in history extends beyond the glass. I’m the author of Origins of the Minor Arcana, published under the name Ben Hoshour, which explores the historical development of playing cards and tarot. The book received the 2020 Best Indie Book Award in the New Age/Metaphysical category. You can read the award citation here.
The connection to whiskey is a habit of inquiry: following a story back to its sources, examining how it developed and making a complicated history approachable. American whiskey rewards that same curiosity. Behind a familiar name or an often-repeated story, there is usually more worth understanding.
Follow the Evidence
The Academy brings together research from a growing reference library spanning whiskey history, production, science and sensory appreciation. The aim is to help you understand both an explanation and the evidence supporting it.
Artificial intelligence is part of my research and writing toolkit. It helps me organize material, explore connections and develop explanations. Sources remain the foundation, and responsibility for what the Academy publishes remains mine. Our editorial standard is to make substantive claims traceable, distinguish documented fact from interpretation and revise material when stronger evidence becomes available.
That means asking what a source can actually establish. Historical records, scientific studies, regulations and producers’ accounts each offer something different. Clear references and explanations of uncertainty give you a way to follow the research and reach an informed understanding of your own. If you spot an error or have a useful source to share, please 
A Place to Learn at Your Own Pace
The US Whiskey Academy’s public reference resources are free to explore. Follow American whiskey’s history, discover how grain becomes spirit, learn about the people and places behind a bottle, or develop a more attentive approach to tasting. The linked guides and profiles let you follow a question as far as your curiosity takes you.
Certification is an optional path for enthusiasts and industry professionals who want a formal way to demonstrate their knowledge. You do not need a credential to use the Academy or deepen your appreciation of whiskey. You can explore the resources simply for the pleasure of understanding more. Visit 
Find Your First Trail
Start with whatever catches your interest:
- The story behind the spirit:
American Whiskey History
- The choices that shape the glass:
From Grain to Glass
- The pleasure of noticing more:
Evaluating Whiskey
Bring your curiosity. There’s plenty to discover.
©2026, US Whiskey Academy LLC. All Rights Reserved | 
