WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits

The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits covers the main categories of spirits and liqueurs and examines the influences of production methods on the different styles available in each category. 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 an advantage for industry professionals working with spirits. Additionally, the course is also perfect for spirits enthusiasts wanting to learn the secrets behind their favourite brands.

A one-hour closed-book examination comprised of 50 multiple-choice questions.

What you will learn:

• 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)

It is a requirement that the WSET specification document is read before you pay. You can find this document under 'More info'.

As part of your enrolment, you receive a Study Pack and, (for some courses) a set of 6 tasting glasses.  Once you have received your ‘Course Confirmation’ email, the Study Pack will be available for collection from TAFE NSW, Ryde Campus. Instructions regarding the collection of your Study Pack will be included in the course confirmation.  The tasting glasses will be issued during the first class.

Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements for this course. Students are required to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). More information regarding the USI can be found in our FAQs.