2024 Judging Team-Scotland Competition
2023 Competition Chairs
Christopher J. Davies
Co-Founder, Chairman
Wine Country Network, Inc
Darcy R. Davies
Co-Founder, President
Wine Country Network, Inc
Confirmed Judges
Eric Anderson-USA
Food & Beverage Purchasing Director, and Professional Spirits Judge
Eric has been Colorado Area Procurement Director for Hyatt Hotels since 2021.
Prior experience includes twenty years as Procurement Manager at the Omni Interlocken Hotel in Broomfield, Colorado. He has been integrally involved in planning numerous food and wine tastings, and whisky and cigar events. Eric is a level one certified sommelier.
He also worked with Omni Hotels' mobile task force, solving purchasing and staffing problems around the USA.
Mr. Anderson is a respected wine and spirits expert and judge. He has participated as a judge for the Denver International Spirits Competition, The Denver International Wine Competition, The North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, The Canned Challenge, and the Tequila Mezcal Challenge.
John Lamond-Scotland
Whisky Expert, Author, and Judge
John Lamond is one of the world's leading authorities on Scotch Whisky. John won the prestigious "Master of Malt" title in 1987; he is the author of The Malt Whisky File, The Whisky Connoisseur's Book of Days, The Whisky Connoisseur's Companion, and Le Snob Whisky. Mr. Lamond's writing is in high demand, and he contributes to magazines worldwide.
Strong media and communication professional. Mr. Lamond is skilled in Lecturing, Whisky & Wine Tours, Event Management, Magazines, and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). He is a holder of a WSET Diploma and has delivered WSET lectures.
Moa Nilsson-Scotland
Swedish Whisky Girl and Content Creator
Moa is a content creator, writer, spirits judge, and the founder of Swedish Whisky Girl. Originally born and raised in Sweden but moved across to Edinburgh, Scotland, where she discovered the fascinating world of spirits. Her creative content covers primarily Instagram, YouTube, and blogging, where she covers flavor experiences worldwide. As a writer, she has contributed to publications such as Whisky Magazine, Allt Om Whisky, and SMWS’s Unfiltered. She won the Icons of Whisky Scotland Communicator of the Year 2021 and was shortlisted for the IWSC Spirits Communicator Award 2022.
Jonathan Odde-USA
Restaurateur, Bartender, and Professional Spirit’s Judge
Jonathan is a seasoned Food & Beverage Professional, Founder of the Burns Pub & Restaurant, Broomfield, Colorado, one of America’s authentic British-style pubs. He oversees the Burn’s Pub collection of more than 500 whiskies, ales, and signature cocktails.
Mr. Odde is a respected spirits expert and judge. He has been a senior judge and table captain at the Denver International Spirits Competition, The North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, and the Tequila Mezcal Challenge.
Nicolas Post-USA
Wine and Spirits Educator, Hops Grower, and Professional Wine & Spirit's Judge
Nicolas has been a senior educator at the International Wine and Spirits Guild in Denver for more than fifteen years. He is a certified sommelier and Master Educator. Nicolas owns Master Wine and Spirits Consulting. In addition, Nicolas and his family own a farm that grows hops for commercial breweries across the US.
Mr. Post is a US military veteran, respected wine and spirits expert, and judge. He has been a senior judge and table captain at the Denver International Spirits Competition, The Denver International Wine Competition, The North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, and the Tequila Mezcal Challenge.
Dr. Christopher White, PhD-Scotland
Whisky Writer, Presenter, Host, and Judge
Heads of Private Clients for Beamish International. Former Private Client Advisor for Johnnie Walker Princess Street, Edinburgh. He was previously Editor of The Edinburgh Whisky Blog and a Tasting Panel Member for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
Dr. Christopher White is an award-winning whisky writer, presenter, host, and judge, with over 15 years of experience in the whisky industry. Chris has hosted tastings and events across the globe and won the inaugural ‘Communicator of the Year’ award at the Icons of Whisky Scotland Awards. He sits on the judging panel of various national and international whisky awards and has attended Diageo’s prestigious Malt Advocates course, gained the Diploma in the Art of Tasting Whisky from Edinburgh Whisky Academy, and sat on the Tasting Panel at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.