WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits

Why does one whisky taste smoky and another silky? What gives agave spirits their edge, or gins their lift? WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits takes you further into production, style and tasting, helping you speak about spirits with real clarity. 

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 the use of spirits in cocktails. Upon achievement you will receive a digital certificate and badge will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo. 

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits develops practical knowledge and tasting skills for enthusiasts and professionals. You’ll learn how raw materials become spirits, understand key production methods and styles, explore aromatised wines and cocktails and gain the confidence to describe and evaluate spirits accurately. 

 

What's covered?

 

How to taste and describe spirits using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits (SAT) 

 

The techniques used during the four stages of spirits production 

  • Processing the raw material; alcoholic fermentation; distillation; and post-distillation operations 

 

How choices made during the four stages of production determine the style of a spirit 

 

How aromatised wines are made 

 

How a balanced cocktail is made and examples in four notable cocktail families 

  • (The spirit-forward, the short sour, the highball and the long sour) 

  

How local production traditions, coupled with local laws, are used to create different styles of spirits in the following categories: 

  • Fruit spirits 

  • Whisky/whiskey 

  • Sugar cane spirits 

  • Agave spirits 

  • Vodka 

  • Flavoured spirits (spiced rum, flavoured vodka, gin, aniseed spirits, bitter spirits/amaro, cocktail bitters, liqueurs) 

QUALIFICATION DELIVERY

Qualifications are available in-person or online through our network of course providers. The Level 2 Award in Spirits requires: 

  • 14 hours or guided learning with a WSET course provider
  • 12 hours of private study
  • A closed-book exam 

Our course providers offer the course in a variety of formats, for example over consecutive days, weeks or evenings. You can also study through WSET’s Online Classroom, an interactive e-learning platform where you complete activities at your own pace over five weeks, under the guidance of an expert educator. 

Available to study in these languages:

  • English
    (English) 

  • 繁體中文
    (Chinese Traditional) 

  • Français
    (French) 

  • Deutsch
    (German) 

  • Português
    (Portuguese) 

  • Español
    (Spanish) 

“The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits course deepened my knowledge about spirits. It is a very interesting and informative course for all - bartenders, waiters, sommeliers, spirit industry workers or just… connoisseurs.

Steven Ringwald, Level 2 Award in Spirits student

QUALIFICATION INFORMATION

Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification. You must be of legal drinking age in the country where you’re attending the course to participate in any alcohol tasting. However, this isn’t a barrier to successfully completing the qualification.  

Requirements may vary by course provider. 

 

Assessment

Assessment is by a closed-book exam of 50 multiple-choice questions. This qualification is regulated by Ofqual. 

WSET is committed to making our exams fair and accessible, and ensuring that no candidate is placed at a disadvantage. If you have any special requirements or need to request reasonable adjustments, please discuss this with your chosen course provider. 

 

Course specification

For more information and full details on the course requirements, please download the Specification below:

 

When can you enrol?

Courses will be offered through an international network of approved course providers. 

To find your nearest course provider, head to our Where to Study page below.