Announcement of the 2025 'Master of Whisky' Passers: 3 New Masters Emerge After Clearing Japan's Hardest Whisky Certification Exam
Key facts
- Announcement of the 2025 'Master of Whisky' Passers: 3 New Masters Emerge After Clearing Japan's Hardest Whisky Certification Exam
- The Whisky Cultural Research Institute announced that 3 individuals passed the prestigious 2025 'Master of Whisky' certification, the most difficult of its kind in Japan.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: April 3, 2026
Direct answer
The Whisky Cultural Research Institute announced that 3 individuals passed the prestigious 2025 'Master of Whisky' certification, the most difficult of its kind in Japan.
- Citation
- Announcement of the 2025 'Master of Whisky' Passers: 3 New Masters Emerge After Clearing Japan's Hardest Whisky Certification Exam (April 3, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- April 3, 2026
The Whisky Cultural Research Institute announced that 3 individuals passed the prestigious 2025 'Master of Whisky' certification, the most difficult of its kind in Japan.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 19:36
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 05:18 (441h 41m after Collected)
The Master of Whisky exam is the most difficult test in the certification system hosted by the Whisky Cultural Research Institute, evaluating comprehensive knowledge and tasting abilities related to whisky. Candidates are certified only after passing a primary essay exam, followed by a secondary exam consisting of written tests, an oral exam, and a sensory evaluation.
This year, 9 candidates who passed the primary exam took the secondary exam held on Friday, March 20 (a national holiday), resulting in 3 successful candidates.
2025 'Master of Whisky' Passers
We would like to introduce the names and profiles of the three individuals who passed the 2025 Master of Whisky exam.
2025 Passers:
MW020
Hiroshi Yoshida
Owner-bartender of 'BAR Rinku no Ki' in Kawasaki Ward, Kawasaki City. He utilizes his knowledge and experience to dedicate himself to communicating the appeal and culture of whisky.
FAQ
What is the name of the organization that administers the Master of Whisky certification exam and where is its headquarters located?
The Whisky Cultural Research Institute administers the exam and its headquarters is located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
How many stages does the Master of Whisky certification process involve and what are the components of the secondary exam?
The certification process involves two stages, and the secondary exam includes written tests, an oral exam, and a sensory evaluation.
When was the 2025 secondary Master of Whisky examination held and how many candidates participated in it?
The 2025 secondary Master of Whisky exam was held on Friday, March 20, and 9 candidates participated in the exam.
How many candidates passed the 2025 Master of Whisky examination and what is the pass rate based on secondary exam participants?
Three candidates passed the 2025 Master of Whisky exam, resulting in a 33.3% pass rate from the 9 secondary exam participants.
Who is one of the 2025 Master of Whisky passers and what is his professional role and place of work?
Hiroshi Yoshida, MW020, passed the 2025 exam and he is the owner-bartender at BAR Rinku no Ki in Kawasaki Ward, Kawasaki City.