Who Should Attend:
This qualification provides basic product knowledge and practical skills for the service of spirits to prepare individuals for careers in hospitality and other sectors of the spirits industry. This course also appeals to spirits enthusiasts and consumers seeking deeper knowledge.
Course Overview:
The course covers the main categories of spirits and explores the four key steps in spirits production. You will learn the raw materials used to produce brandy and vodka, identify their key flavor characteristics, and understand the production processes that define their distinctive profiles. The course covers labeling terminology for brandy and explains the two types of stills, how they function, and the styles of spirits they produce.
You will examine the raw materials for rum, tequila, and whiskey, discover their key flavor characteristics, understand the production processes affecting their qualities, and learn the different styles of rum plus labeling terms for tequila and whiskey. Additional topics include techniques for adding flavor to spirits, principal types of flavored spirits, proper storage procedures, important cocktail ingredients, common equipment and glassware for spirit service, and the four factors essential to creating balanced cocktails.
Throughout the course, you will develop tasting skills using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT), familiarizing yourself with key spirits styles from the syllabus.
Exam Overview:
The assessment consists of a 30-question multiple-choice exam. You must score 70 percent or higher to pass. The course modules should be followed in order, though students may complete them at their own pace within a 4-week window. The course material typically requires about 6 hours to complete, plus additional time for review. Online courses are available on an ongoing basis and must be registered for 2 weeks before the listed start dates.
