Level 2 Award in Spirits

Why does one whisky taste smokey and another silky? What gives agave spirits their edge or liquors 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 WSET certificate and lapel pin and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo. 
 
You can join us at our central London location for training in-person, or for online classes – whatever suits you. 

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 techniques used 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 
  • Tequila and Mezcal 
  • Vodka 
  • Flavoured spirits (spiced rum, flavoured vodka, gin, aniseed spirits, bitter spirits/amaro, cocktail bitters, liqueurs) 

 

COURSE DELIVERY

Available in-person or online, the Level 2 Award in Spirits requires: 

  • 14 hours or guided learning with a WSET course provider 
  • 12 hours of private study 
  • An exam 

We offer the course in a variety of formats, for example over consecutive days, weeks or evenings. It can also be studied 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

“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, UK

COURSE INFORMATION

Entry requirements 

There are no entry requirements for this qualification. You must be of legal drinking age in the UK to participate in any alcohol tasting. However, this is not a barrier to successfully completing the qualification.

 

Assessment 

Assessment is by a closed-book exam of 50 multiple-choice questions. This qualification is regulated by Ofqual. 
 
You'll receive your results approximately four weeks after the exam. On successful completion of the examination, you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin and will be able to use the associated certified logo. 

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 do discuss this with us. 

 

Course specification 

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

 

When can you enrol? 

To register your interest in booking a WSET beer course, please complete the below form. 

 

STUDY OPTIONS

Day release course - £250

Location: WSET School London

Duration: 09:00am-5:00pm on one day (includes exam)

Private study: Not required. There are recapping and revision exercises throughout the day

 

What's included?

  • Workbook
  • Spirits samples
  • 6 hours of tuition
  • Exam
  • Exclusive offers via our Student Deals Card

Evening course - £250

Location: WSET School London

Duration: 6:30-8:30pm once a week for three weeks (includes exam)

Private study: 11 hours. This format gives you the most time to pre-read and recap topics between classes

 

What's included:

  • Workbook
  • Spirits samples
  • 6 tasting glasses
  • 16 hours of tuition, with access to additional resources on WSET's Online Classroom
  • Exam
  • Exclusive offers via our Student Deals Card

 

Designed for those who are unable to study in the daytime. A popular choice for beer enthusiasts and trade professionals with demanding daytime jobs.

Saturday course - £250

Location: WSET School London

Duration: 10:30am-2:00pm over two consecutive Saturdays (includes exam)

Private study: Not required, but this format gives you the flexibility to pre-read or recap topics between classes

 

What's included:

  • Workbook
  • Spirits samples
  • 6 hours of tuition
  • Exam
  • Exclusive offers via our Student Deals Card

 

A popular option for those want to explore the local area or those who are unable to study on weekdays.

Enhanced online course - £210

Location: Online via WSET's Online Classroom, with an online exam*

Duration: 4 weeks self-guided study to be completed around your schedule

Private study: At least three hours a week

 

What's included:

  • Workbook
  • Spirits samples
  • 6 hours of tuition
  • Exam
  • Exclusive offers via our Student Deals Card

 

Enhance features:

  • Revision videos
  • Flash cards
  • Exam tips

 

Technology requirements:

We recommend that you use a laptop or desktop device and have a reliable internet connection. To sit your exam online you will also need one additional smart device such as a smartphone or tablet

 

Suited for those who need a flexible study option, international students or those far aware from our classroom centres.

 

*More information on how online examinations work will be shared with you once you enrol. If you are a student in Mainland China or the UAE, it's not possible for you to take the exam online due to technological restrictions.