Scot Malt Educational Tour 2026
Selected IIHM F&B Major Students to Experience Scotland’s Distilleries and Learn from Master Blenders
The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) has launched the Scot Malt Educational Tour 2026, an exclusive international learning experience that will take selected third-year Food & Beverage (F&B) major students to Scotland from 19–26 November 2026. Completely sponsored by IIHM, the coveted tour will give deserving students from each campus the opportunity to explore the heritage, craftsmanship, science and business behind Scotch whisky.
Launched virtually on September 1, the 2026 edition promises students an immersive journey through some of Scotland’s finest distilleries, cooperages, tasting rooms and whisky experiences. The tour will be spearheaded by Professor Ron Scott, International Director and Mentor, IIHM and Indismart Group, and a renowned Scottish whisky expert.
Speaking at the virtual launch, Dr Suborno Bose, Founder and Chairman, IIHM Worldwide, said the Scot Malt initiative has evolved into one of the institute’s most sought-after experiential learning opportunities. “We started our international learning journeys with wine tours, and over the years the Scot Malt Tour has become a great success. This is an opportunity for students to understand an industry that has tremendous possibilities—from distillation and hospitality to brand ambassadorship and the wider beverage industry.”
He added that the 2026 journey would take students across Scotland for approximately 10 days, including experiences at some of the country’s most renowned distilleries and the Johnnie Walker Experience in Edinburgh.
Mrs Sanjukta Bose, Co-Founder – IIHM; Director – IIHM Kolkata, highlighted the depth of knowledge students would gain from being exposed to the craftsmanship behind Scotch. “It is not simply about tasting whisky. It is about understanding the craftsmanship, maturation, heritage and attention to detail that goes into every bottle. Our students are preparing to compete for an opportunity to learn from the very best.”
For Mr. Abdullah Ahmed, COO — IIHM Group; Director – IIHM Delhi, the tour represents education at its most powerful. “This is one of its kind. The selected F&B major students will experience the world of distillation live. It is not about books or marksheets; it is about experience. What they learn during this journey will transform their knowledge to an unprecedented level, and that experience will stay with them forever.”
Mr. Immanuel, Director, IIHM Hyderabad, who outlined the selection process and proposed itinerary, described the tour as a rare opportunity to experience Scotland’s heritage, culture and production processes first-hand. The selection begins on September 2, with a Round 1 examination open to F&B major students across IIHM campuses who hold valid passports. Two students from each campus will be shortlisted for Round 2 on September 7, followed by virtual one-to-one interviews on September 9 with Professor Ron Scott and two renowned F&B and hospitality industry experts. The final selection will be announced on September 10.
The selected students will then undergo extensive pre-visit orientation, visa preparation before travelling to Scotland. The tentative itinerary includes Edinburgh, the Johnnie Walker Experience, Blair Athol, Speyside distilleries, masterclasses, tasting sessions, traditional Scotch malt-making experiences and visits to facilities such as cooperages and a honey factory.
The tour embodies IIHM’s belief that hospitality education must extend beyond classrooms and textbooks. For F&B professionals, understanding beverages at their source can open doors to careers in luxury hospitality, beverage management, sommelier services, whisky education, brand management and international beverage businesses.
As Dr Bose emphasised, IIHM seeks to provide experiences that transform knowledge into opportunity. The Scot Malt Educational Tour does precisely that—taking students from learning about malt to experiencing the journey of malt mastery.
The launch concluded with the unveiling of the tour mascot, “Taiger McMalt,” symbolising the spirit of discovery, craftsmanship and adventure that awaits the selected students in Scotland.
For IIHM students, Scot Malt 2026 is more than a study tour. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to step inside an industry few hospitality professionals ever experience at such depth—and to begin their global F&B journey while still in college.
