KOLKATA: The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), Asia’s largest chain of hotel schools, has announced its annual whisky tour for nine of its selected students from across IIHM’s campuses. The Scot Malt Whisky Tour is a one-of-a-kind experience, uniquely offered by IIHM, whose teaching philosophy emphasizes practical exposure, such as this international whisky tour.
The Scot Malt Tour, curated by Scotland-based International Director Ron Scott, is now in its tenth year, taking students on a first-hand, bucket-list adventure. For them, exploring whisky-making on Scotland’s misty isles goes far beyond a beverage experience. This initiative reflects IIHM’s philosophy of extending world-class hospitality education beyond classrooms and screens: to touch, feel, savour, and, as they say, smell the coffee—or in this case, savour the flavours of malts from the isles of Scotland.
This tour represents IIHM’s investment in the future of its students, as it hosts the program in its entirety.
IIHM Chairman Dr. Suborno Bose, who envisioned such experiences to provide unparalleled international exposure to students, along with Professor Scott, said hospitality education must go beyond classrooms and textbooks. The Scotland Whisky Tour is a rare opportunity for students to experience history, tradition, and innovation in their purest form. When they return, they bring back not only knowledge but also inspiration to create guest experiences that are authentic, meaningful, and world-class.
The selection of the final nine students was a meticulous process. Out of 150 applicants from IIHM campuses, 35 students were shortlisted in round one. Following a final round consisting of a written exam and an interview chaired by Professor Ron Scott, nine students were chosen for the week-long educational tour of Scotland’s world-famous whisky distilleries in November.
From Goa, Archi Anil made it to the Fab9, one of three shortlisted from the state. All three impressed the jury, but only Archi narrowly crossed the coveted line to secure her place on the November 6 flight to Scotland.
The initiative has reverberated positively through the hospitality industry, with many students applying their learnings to successful careers in leading hospitality brands.
Sabrina Dey, General Manager at ITC Windsor, Bengaluru, and an esteemed Fellow of IIHM International College of Distinguished Fellows (FIIHM), said opportunities like the Scotch Malt Tour embody the spirit of experiential learning. It is a privilege for deserving students to explore the heritage, tradition, and craftsmanship of Scotch-making in its birthplace. She extended her congratulations to all nine winners from IIHM campuses across India.
Abhiram Menon, General Manager at Hilton EGL, Bengaluru, and also an FIIHM, reflected that true hospitality extends beyond walls into opportunities that broaden horizons. He called the Scotch Malt Tour a remarkable platform, congratulating all nine students and wishing that the journey inspires them to bring back knowledge, stories, and a deeper appreciation of excellence.
IIHM student Sonal Jain, who participated in the Scotch Malt Tour in 2024, recounted her experience as thrilling. She said she was proud to have had the opportunity and congratulated the 2025 batch, noting that the country, the people, and the friendships they experience will leave a lasting impact.
The eight-day Scot Malt Tour 2025 will take IIHM students across Scotland’s whisky heartlands, from Speyside to Fife and Edinburgh. They will visit seven iconic venues including Glenlivet, Strathisla, Glenfiddich, Glendronach, Kingsbarns, Port of Leith, and the Edinburgh Gin Distillery. This carefully curated itinerary combines the grandeur of legendary distilleries with the innovation of modern craft producers, giving students a rare opportunity to appreciate whisky as both heritage and contemporary artistry. Beyond distilling, the journey immerses students in Scotland’s landscapes, regional cultures, and hospitality traditions, making whisky a celebration of flavour, craftsmanship, and cultural legacy.
For IIHM, this tour is more than an educational exercise—it is a celebration of humanity’s eternal quest for flavour, fusion, and finesse. From the Highlands to Islay, students will discover how whisky reflects not only terroir and technique but also the soul of a people who transformed craftsmanship into culture.
