I’m Davin de Kergommeaux. For over a quarter of a century, I have been researching and writing about whisky, presenting whisky seminars and leading tasting workshops on six continents, as well as judging international whisky competitions such as the World Whisky Awards and the Malt Maniacs Awards. In March 2024, i became only the second canadian ever inducted into the Whisky Hall of fame.

In 2009 I founded the Canadian Whisky Awards, which are presented each January at the Victoria Whisky Festival.  In 2019, as part of our 10-year anniversary, we launched a new website dedicated to the awards.

Books & Writing

As a writer, my focus for the past quarter century has been on whisky. My latest book, entitled Canadian Whisky The Essential Portable Expert offers new, in-depth insights into Canada’s national spirit.

You can also read my writings in a dozen other popular books about whisky, spirits and cocktails.  My articles appear regularly in popular drinks and lifestyle magazines such as Whisky Magazine and Whisky Advocate.  In 2018 the International Wine and Spirits Competition (UK) included me on the short list for Spirits Communicator of the Year.

I’m Independent

As I am an independent reviewer and not affiliated with any of the whisky makers, my comments are my own.  Having said that, I have been involved in the launch of several new Canadian whiskies over the years, simply because my endorsement, like my reviews and tasting notes, helps to raise the profile of the whisky. 

In university I studied grains including corn, wheat, rye, triticale and barley for 6 years.  I am also a certified sommelier, though I now specialize exclusively in whisky.  My interest and love of whisky has taken me all over Scotland and the British Isles, Europe, Japan, India, Taiwan, the U.S., Caribbean and South America as well as coast to coast across Canada. 

I Support Canadian Whisky

It’s a sad fact that Canadian whisky doesn’t get its due. I am committed to changing that by correcting misconceptions with facts.  I work hard to help serious whisky fans, wherever they may live, to discover one of Canada’s best-kept secrets: the hidden riches of Canadian whisky. No one else has taken on this important task.  I am the only whisky writer who is focussed on writing seriously and credibly about Canadian whisky and fine spirits.  As a result, in 2018, the New York Times said my importance in raising the profile of Canadian whisky could not be overstated. Two years before that, Canada’s national newspaper, the Globe and Mail named me as one of the most influential Canadians in food and drink.