WSET® Level 3 Award in Spirits

The WSET® Level 3 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 spirit.

This qualification is intended to build on knowledge and skills gained from the Level 2 Award in Spirits, therefore we ask our students to have pass that qualification in order to be elegible to book this course. You’ll 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.

WSET® recommends for this qualification a minimum requirement of 84 hours of study time, 30 hours delivery time with a WSET Spirits Certified Educator from the More than Wines Team plus 51 ½ hours personal study and 2 ½ -hour examination.

Course structure

            Learning 1: Tasting technique, alcoholic fermentation and distillation

• Learn how to describe and assess a spirit using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting.
• Learn about alcoholic fermentation and the principles of distillation.

            Learning 2: Pot stills, column stills, maturation in oak and inert vessels

• • Learn about pot still distillation, column still distillation and the fundamentals of maturation in oak and the uses of inert vessels.

            Learning 3: Factors affecting style and quality of whisky

• Learn about the factors that affect the style and quality of whiskies from around the world.
• Whisky producing countries covered are Scotland, Ireland, USA, Canada and Japan.

            Learning 4: Factors affecting style and quality of fruit spirits

• Learn about the factors that affect the style and quality of fruit spirits from around the world.
• Fruit spirits covered are Cognac, Armagnac, Brandy de Jerez, South African Brandy, Chilean Pisco, Peruvian Pisco, Grappa and other European fruit spirits.

            Learning 5: Asian spirits

• Learn about Asian spirits and some of the techniques use in their production.
• Spirits covered are Sh?ch?, Baijiu and Soju.

Learning 6: Sugar cane spirits

• Learn about the factors that affect the style and quality of sugar cane spirits from around the world.
• Sugar cane spirits covered are Caribbean rum and Brazilian Cachaça.

Learning 7: Agave spirits

• Learn about the factors that affect the style and quality of agave spirits from Mexico.
• Agave spirits covered are Tequila, Mezcal, Raicilla and Bacanora. (This module also covers another similar Mexican spirit Sotol)

Learning 8: Vodka, gin and other flavoured spirits

• • Learn about the factors that affect the style and quality of vodka and flavoured spirits.
  • Spirits covered are vodka, gin, Genever, flavoured vodka, akvavit, aniseed spirits spiced rum, flavoured whisky, bitters and liqueurs.
  • Aromatised wines covered are vermouth, quinquina/chinato and americano.

Exam

The 2½ hour closed-book examination is made up of:

• 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.

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.

It is required that you hold the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits or can demonstrate the equivalent level of knowledge. You must be of legal drinking age in the country where you are attending the course and exam to participate in any alcohol tasting.