WSET® Level 2 Award in Spirits

Online Course Price: $699

About the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits

The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits is for anyone who wants to build real depth in the major spirits categories, how they’re made, and how to serve them. This qualification covers the production factors that shape style and quality, the principal types of spirits and liqueurs, flavored spirits and aromatized wines, and the principles behind a balanced cocktail.

Throughout the course, you’ll develop analytical tasting skills using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits® (SAT), learning to evaluate a spirit’s appearance, nose, palate, and quality across a wide range of styles. In addition, you’ll examine how key raw materials and production choices influence the finished spirit, so you can speak about what’s in the bottle with accuracy and confidence.

In short, the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits gives hospitality and retail professionals (and serious enthusiasts) a credible, globally recognized foundation for working with spirits every day.

Prerequisite: None. A genuine interest in spirits is all you need to begin.

Who Is This For?

• Bartenders, bar managers, and beverage directors who want a credible, globally recognized foundation in spirits.
• Retail, on-premise, and distributor staff who sell, pour, or recommend spirits and liqueurs and want to do it with real authority.
• Hospitality professionals preparing for future roles where spirits knowledge is a competitive edge.
• Serious enthusiasts and home cocktail makers who want to understand what they’re drinking and why.

Course Details for the Level 2 Award in Spirits

Our online Level 2 Spirits course runs through the WSET Online Classroom, a structured digital learning environment with video lessons, module activities, end-of-module quizzes, and practice exam questions. Specifically, you’ll work through the material at your own pace, with educator support available throughout the 5-week support window to answer questions and help you prepare for the exam.

In short, this format suits working professionals and enthusiasts who want a rigorous spirits qualification without rigid scheduling. When you’re ready, you’ll schedule your online exam via Remote Invigilation at a time that works for you.

What You’ll Learn

Tasting and evaluating spirits

First, you’ll learn to taste systematically using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits® (SAT), evaluating appearance, nose, palate, and quality level. As a result, you’ll build a consistent tasting vocabulary you can apply to any spirit you encounter.

Factors determining the style and quality of spirits

Next, you’ll examine the key stages of spirits production: raw materials, fermentation, distillation in pot stills and column stills, and post-distillation maturation and finishing. In particular, you’ll learn how each choice shapes strength, aroma, flavor, and overall quality in the finished spirit.

Fruit spirits, including Cognac and Armagnac

Additionally, you’ll study how Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, and other fruit-based spirits are produced, aged, and labeled, including the defined regions, distillation methods, and age statements that shape their styles.

Whisky and whiskey

In addition, you’ll explore the principal styles of Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, American whiskey (Bourbon, Tennessee, and Rye), and other world whiskies, along with the key production choices and labeling terms that distinguish each category.

Rum, Cachaça, Tequila, and Mezcal

Then, you’ll look at how rum and Cachaça come from sugar cane, how Tequila and Mezcal come from agave, and how production choices (including still type, ageing, and region of origin) lead to the distinct styles available today.

Vodka, flavored spirits, and aromatized wines

Also, you’ll cover vodka, gin, flavored vodkas, liqueurs, bitter spirits, and aromatized wines like Vermouth, learning the defining characteristics and production methods that separate one style from another.

Cocktails and the service of spirits

Finally, you’ll learn the principles behind a balanced cocktail (the scales of strong vs. weak and bitter/sour vs. sweet), name the core cocktail families, and cover best practices for the storage, service, and food pairing of spirits behind any bar.

Online Course Includes

• Printed WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits study materials shipped to your mailing address
• Access to the WSET Online Classroom for 12 months, including video lessons, module activities, and end-of-module quizzes
• 5 weeks of educator support as you progress through the course modules
• Flexible, self-paced online learning with no live sessions and no required login times
• Guidance on which spirits to taste during the course
• 50+ practice exam questions to reinforce your study
• Online exam (scheduled at the end of the course)
• Spirit samples are not included.

Time Commitment

Overall, the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits requires approximately 26 hours of total qualification time. This breaks down into 15 hours of guided learning (video lessons, activities, and the 1-hour exam) and 11 hours of private study.

Because this is a self-paced online course, you can spread that time across the 5-week course window however best suits your schedule.

Assessment for the Level 2 Award in Spirits

• The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits exam includes 50 multiple-choice questions that you’ll complete in 60 minutes.
• To pass, you must correctly answer at least 55% of the questions. Successful candidates earn one of three grades:
  • Pass: 55% to 69%
  • Pass with Merit: 70% to 84%
  • Pass with Distinction: 85% and above
• All online course registrations include an online exam via Remote Invigilation.
  • This allows you to take the exam from home at a time arranged with our team.
• In-person exams are available by request, but availability is limited and scheduling may require additional time.
  • If you would prefer to sit your exam in person, please contact us before your course ends to discuss options.
• You have one year from your course end date to take your exam. After one year, a rescheduling fee will apply.
• Successful students will receive a digital WSET certificate, and a lapel pin is available upon request.
• This qualification is Ofqual regulated.

Helpful Resources

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Cancellations, Refunds, and Transfers Policy