Who should attend?
The Level 3 – WSET® Award in Spirits is an advanced-level qualification for professionals and enthusiasts wishing to acquire a detailed understanding of the spirits of the world and develop the tasting skills required to accurately describe and evaluate a distilled spirit.
This qualifications is intended to build on knowledge and skills gained from the Level 2 – WSET® Award in Spirits.
How will you benefit?
You will acquire a deep theoretical understanding of the techniques used in spirit production, from the processing of raw materials to post-distillation operations. Through a combination of tasting and the application of theoretical knowledge you will learn to explain confidently why spirits look and taste the way they do and how and why they differ from each other.
Outline programme
Unit 1
a detailed understanding of the techniques used in spirit production:
- processing of raw materials
- alcoholic fermentation
- distillation
- post-distillation practices
factors affecting the style and qualify of spirits categories in detail:
- Scotch Whisky
- Bourbon
- Rye Whiskey
- Tennessee Whiskey
- Cognac
- Armagnac
- Caribbean Rum
- Tequila
- Mezcal
- Vodka
- Gin
An overview of 23 additional spirit categories, focusing on:
- principal production methods
- key styles
- key labelling terms
Unit 2
- how to taste and describe spirits using the Level 3 – WSET® Systematic Approach to tasting spirits®
Assessment: The 2.5 hour closed-book examination consists of two units:
Unit 1: a two-part theory examination
- Part 1 is made up of 50 multiple-choice questions
- Part 2 is made up of short answer questions
Unit 2: a tasting examination of two spirit samples tasted blind
You will need to pass both parts of the theory examination (Unit 1), and the tasting examination (Unit 2), to achieve the qualification.
Please note, that as of the 1st of August 2025 the WSET® only issues digital certificates and there is an administrative process to be completed prior to your examination to make sure that you can access the digital certificate.
Included in the course price are: The course material, the Wine and Spirit Education Trust examination (which is recognised in over 80 countries around the world), the teaching as well as access to our study support site for the duration of the course.
Required prior knowledge: the course is open to students who possess one of the following qualifications – Level 2 WSET® Award in Spirits, SBU diploma, IBA diploma. But we would recommend our Level 2 Spirits Specialist course which covers two thirds of the course material for the Level 3 WSET® Award in Spirits.
We also offer an online Entry examination for the Level 3 WSET® Award in Spirits – there is no cost involved in taking the assessment.
N.B. If you are not sure, contact us, so that we can help you choose the course level according to your objectives.
Guided learning hours: It is recommended that a student allocate 84 hours of study to successfully complete the programme of two units. The hours are usually a combination of taught and private study time.
Learning outcomes – at the end of this course, the candidate will be able to:
- Understand the principal factors involved in spirits production and how they influence style and quality
- Understand the key characteristics and labelling of selected global spirits and how legal frameworks and production choices influence their style and quality
- Know the key characteristics of other named global spirits, their labelling terms and key production choices that are made
- Describe the Key characteristics of selected global spirits and use the description to identify the type and category of the spirit. Identify the quality level and give supporting reasons
Progression Routes – on completion of the Level 3 WSET® Award in Spirits, you might be interested in:
- Level 1 Introduction to Distilling and aromatising spirits
- Level 2 WSET® Award in Wines
- Level 3 WSET® Award in Wines
- Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Swiss Wines
- Level 4 Champagne Specialist
- Level 1 Introduction to Beer and Beer Service
- Level 2 WSET® Award in Beer
Please note – the Level 2 Award in Wines or an equivalent level of knowledge is required for entry to the Level 3 WSET® Award in Wines programme.
To register for a Level 3 WSET® Award in Spirits course, please follow this link…