For finer points on whisky, go to China

A school in China that aims to teach the finer points of whisky appreciation to hotel workers, bar staff, and connoisseurs has teamed up with a similar institution in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Scottish Field magazine reports that the Edinburgh Whisky Academy will provide training in Shanghai for teachers at the Chief Whisky Society. The Scottish organization will also endorse the Chief Whisky Society's training facility and name it a center of excellence for whisky education.

The four-year-old Edinburgh Whisky Academy is Scotland's only whisky educator to have been endorsed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, which is the branch of the Scottish government responsible for accrediting educational awards. The authority's "higher" level examinations are the generally acceptable level for entry to Scottish universities.

It is the first time the Edinburgh Whisky Academy has forged such an international partnership.

The Chief Whisky Society provides training in China and is also the organizer of the Whisky L festival, claimed to be China's largest festival dedicated to whisky.

The collaboration was marked with a signing ceremony in Shanghai attended by the founder of the Chief Whisky Society, David Lee, and by Kirsty McKerrow, Edinburgh Whisky Academy's founder and managing director. Vic Cameron, one of the Edinburgh Whisky Academy's expert instructors, also attended. Cameron will lead the first course in China provided under the partnership.

McKerrow told Scottish Field, a lifestyle magazine: "The international market for Scotch whisky has grown substantially in recent years and with that has come a desire by customers across the globe to learn more about this complex spirit."

She said sellers of Scotch whisky "are recognizing the business benefits of having staff who understand" the alcoholic beverage.

And she noted attendees of the Shanghai courses will learn "Scotch whisky, from its history and production and maturation processes to the ability to demonstrate how to nose a whisky".

"We're delighted that our first international partnership has been created in such an important emerging market for the Scotch whisky industry," said McKerrow, who has worked as a spokesman for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg. His family started the Mackinlays brand in 1815.