James Bay Distillers' President to speak at Whiskey University session in Portland

Portland, OR – James Bay Distillers announced that company president, Ernest Troth, will speak at the Pacific Regional Whiskey University session scheduled to be held 2-4 October 2026.  The three day session will be hosted by Mike Skelton, Partner/Professor and Pacific Region Leader of Whiskey University.  Troth will discuss the distillery's background, production and investment philosophies, provide a spirits industry insider’s view of published distillery rankings, discuss the economics and challenges of sourcing and releasing Scotch and Canadian whiskies from the U.S., and ways to differentiate craft- from industrial brands with a “craft-distillery” look.

Skelton’s organized sessions for attendees will include visits to or sampling from a number of Oregon, California and Washington State distilleries ranging in size from startup to industrial capacity.   Session participants will join in topical discussions at these other distilleries.   

About Whiskey University:  The university’s stated sole mission is to educate the public about the history and virtues of Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Canadian Whisky and World whiskies.  Whiskey University offers 140 classes focused on whiskey, teaching 11 classes per day across 8 time zones.  Whiskey University is based in the United States and offers courses both online via Zoom and in-person at venues across the U.S. and Canada.

About James Bay Distillers:  Founded in 2014 by Ernest and Leigh Troth, and joined by some 30 accredited investors, the company has built an international reputation for super-premium whiskies, gins and vodkas, including a Scotch whiskey blended/bottled under a UK permit.   Their bourbon was featured at Whiskey Live Bangkok in 2025, and exported under private label to a whiskey bar in Shinjuku Center, Tokyo. Their Canadian whisky earned a 97-point double gold award at PR%F competition in Las Vegas as well as six other gold medals. The company's six distinctive gins have earned super-premium awards rated 95+ points in national and international competitions.  The company’s vodka was rated 1 of the top 100 spirits in the U.S. in 2022.  Wholesale and export orders are invited.