A little more about Mike Foti:
Mike Foti has worn many hats in his life—farmer, police officer, pharmaceutical educator, and spirits professional—but the thread connecting them all is simple: he’s a teacher at heart.
He didn’t begin his career expecting to teach. But somewhere between explaining clinical trials to physicians, training police officers on the physiology of impairment, coaching pharmaceutical reps on the science behind their products, and guiding whisky lovers through the alchemy of grain and barrel, Mike discovered a truth that has shaped every chapter of his life:
“Learning is a hollow pursuit until it’s shared. Teaching what you learn is what makes you whole.”
Today, Mike brings that philosophy to the world of whiskey.
Whether he’s leading tastings, hosting The Whiskey Workshop, or helping enthusiasts understand the chemistry, history, and craft behind their favorite spirits, Mike’s goal is always the same: to deepen appreciation through knowledge. For him, whiskey isn’t just a drink—it’s a story, a science, a tradition, and a connection waiting to be shared.
His teaching style is approachable and engaging, blending technical insight with memorable storytelling. When someone learns why a mash bill matters, how a barrel breathes, or what a distiller was trying to express, the spirit becomes more than a pour. It becomes an experience.
Across every room he steps into—whether it smells like antiseptics or oak barrels—Mike is reminded that knowledge only reaches its full potential when it’s passed from hand to hand. His mission is to spark that chain reaction, giving people something they can carry forward, share, and make their own.
“Learning fills you. Teaching completes you.” — Mike Foti