WSET® Level 2 Award in Spirits

Online Course – $659

The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits course is for individuals wishing to develop their expertise in spirits and liqueurs. You’ll learn about the fundamental production methods and principal raw materials, discovering how they are used to make the key spirit styles. You’ll also explore the key practices and principles of serving spirits and using spirits in cocktails. 

Throughout the course, you’ll develop analytical tasting skills while exploring the use of spirits in cocktails. The knowledge gained in this course will be a significant advantage to anyone working with spirits (in both the on- and off-trade). The course is also perfect for spirits enthusiasts wanting to learn more about the product behind the brand. Upon completing the course and passing the examination, you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin!

Prerequisite: None​​​​​​​​​, just a great deal of enthusiasm!

Course Details

Today, the range and quality of spirits that are available to consumers around the world is bigger than it has ever been. Cocktail culture is currently at the peak of popularity not seen since its heyday in the 1920s, and this is a time of excitement and opportunity.

The WSET has a unique role to play, collaborating with the industry. Their ambition with a Level 2 qualification is to offer clear, easy-to-understand, and accurate explanations of subjects that are often highly complex. They want anyone who works with spirits to understand the factors that affect the style of individual spirits and the similarities—and differences—between the different categories of spirit. They also offer an overview of the many and varied ways these spirits are served in cocktail bars.

During this course, students will hone their spirits knowledge with expert guidance while learning:

• How spirits are made
• The characteristics of the main styles of spirits and liqueurs
• How production methods affect style and quality
• The major global spirits brands
• How to taste and describe spirits using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits® (SAT)

Throughout the course, you’ll become a more confident spirits taster under the guidance of our expert educators, learning how to use a globally-recognized approach to tasting to analyze the appearance, nose, palate, and quality level of a range of styles.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to identify how key raw ingredients and production methods influence the style and quality of the key spirits and liqueurs of the world. If you work with spirits, you’ll be able to confidently provide guidance on the use and service of spirits and make informed recommendations to customers when selecting spirits and liqueurs to meet their taste and price requirements.

Anyone embarking on a WSET qualification should familiarize themselves with the corresponding specification. This document will help you understand what to expect and what you will get from the course.

Online Course Includes

• WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits Study Pack
• 5 weeks of expert guidance as you work through each online module
  1. Tasting & Evaluating Spirits
  2. Factors Determining the Style & Quality of Spirits
  3. The Spirits Industry
  4. Fruit Spirits
  5. Whisky/Whiskey
  6. Rum & Cachaça
  7. Tequila & Mezcal
  8. Vodka, Flavored Spirits & Aromatised Wines
  9. Cocktails, presented by Paul Graham
  10. Service of Spirits
• Quizzes at the end of each module to check your progress
• 12 months of access to the Level 2 Award in Spirits online learning material for self-paced learning
• 50+ WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits practice exam questions
• Exam fees (exam is scheduled at the end of the course)
• Frameable certificate & lapel pin (upon passing the examination) 

Assessment

• The Level 2 Award in Spirits examination consists of 50 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 60 minutes.
• To pass you must correctly answer 55% of the questions:
  • Pass: 55% – 69%
  • Pass with Merit: 70% – 84%
  • Pass with Distinction: 85% and above
• This exam may be taken in-person or online via remote invigilation. Please note that you have one year from the end date of your course to take your examination. After one year, you must pay the corresponding rescheduling fee before you may sit the exam.
  • Online Students: You will take your exam online via Remote Invigilation.
    • Please email us to arrange your examination date prior to the end of your course.
  • If you would like to change the format of you exam to an in-person or online exam, please contact us directly and we will do our absolute best to accommodate your request!
• Successful students will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin.
• This qualification is Ofqual regulated

Please refer to the corresponding page in our policies for information regarding cancellations, refunds, and transfers.