MASC Burns Supper 2025 with Impex

YOU ARE INVITED to help us celebrate Robert Burns’ 266th birthday! Due to the initiative of Sam Filmus, KQ (owner) of ImpEx Beverages Inc. and Atlanta restauranteurs John & Triada at GoodFellas/It’s Greek To Us, we are joining the worldwide observation of Rabbie’s birthday with a memorial Robt Burns Supper. Our evening will feature a 5-course dinner prepared by chef Costas as well as a welcoming cocktail and 7 ImpEx single malts. After adding bagpiper Wayne Coleman, bassist James Schneider, our Scottish poet Mark Ferguson, and MASC poets Dennis and Faye Sullivan, you are assured of a splendid evening, one that would make old Rabbie proud. So, do please come along and bring a friend! Robert Sickler, Master of Whisky, organizes spirits events, public and private tastings, mixology presentations and educational seminars to introduce people to a wide range of worldly libations. He engages with
bar owners and managers, food & beverage directors, chefs and restauranteurs on menu development, mixology, spirits education and event marketing. He also offers advice on product development and evaluation, conducts product reviews and is available for media presentations and public appearances.

Robert Sickler, Master of Whiskey, began his career as an English teacher in the U.S. and overseas; however, his passion for wine & spirits inspired him to change course, leading to employment as bartender, bar manager, beverage director, wine & spirits distributor representative, brand ambassador, bar owner, podcast host, whisky educator, spirits consultant, restauranteur, and regional sales manager over the course of 20 + years. For a decade he flourished as a Master of Whisky for global drinks company Diageo, passionately expounding the merits and virtues of their diverse range of world-renowned single malt Scotch whiskies and other world whiskies. In addition to managing relationships with distributors, brand teams, on and off premise partners, he designed and participated in events at Tales of the Cocktail, Arizona Cocktail Week, functioned as a judge at numerous cocktail competitions as well the Denver International Spirits Competition. His role as Master of Whisky began in the Midwest, but later brought him to Denver, Colorado, where he and his wife resided for thirteen wonderful years. Next Robert launched his own whisky consulting company, Cask Strength Consulting, hosting educational spirits tastings for corporate, home and business gatherings. He also joined the Whisky Ambassador Program as a licensed instructor for their worldwide accredited ambassador program based in Glasgow, Scotland. During this time, he also received his Spirits Professional (SP) Certification from the United States Bartender’s Guild. Shortly thereafter Robert launched Finn’s Manor, a whisky, mezcal and rum-centric cocktail bar in Denver, Colorado, which received numerous accolades such as “Best Whisky Bar in Colorado” by Thrillist, 10 Hottest New Bars in Denver by Zagat, 15 Best Bars in Denver by Conde Nast etc. Finn’s Manor was renowned for its cocktail program and curated spirits selection, showcasing over 800 quality distillates. As co-owner Robert thrived as beverage director, social media manager and music promoter, focused on a perpetual mission to cultivate an idyllic space and aesthetic for the proper enjoyment of fine beverages. Latin jazz, New Orleans brass music, bossa nova, salsa, and Spanish flamenco were some of the live music acts which graced the venue with a harmonious, soulful vibe.

Shortly thereafter he joined ImpEx Beverages, an importer whose brands he proudly featured on his backbar and cocktail menu at Finn’s Manor. ImpEx Beverages is dedicated to independent, world class whiskies, gins, mezcals, rums and cordials from throughout the world. He is currently their southeast regional manager, serving the Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee markets.