wset level 2 Award in spirits
Overview
The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits will teach you about the skills needed in all areas of the spirit trade - customer service, hospitality, retail and wholesale. The course covers the history, production and style of spirits of the world: Cognac Armagnac and other brandies; Scotch, Bourbon and whiskeys; white spirits, including vodka, rum, Tequila, gin; and liqueurs and other flavoured spirits. It will also introduce the Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits which will be followed when tasting each spirit. This course is aimed at:
- People employed in the spirits industry needing basic information on the characteristics of the principal spirits and liqueurs of the world, to provide guidance on brand selection and assist with tasting and evaluation of spirits and liqueurs using the Systematic Approach to Tasting.
- People who are not employed in the drinks industry but who have a serious interest in spirits and wish to broaden their knowledge in a structured way.
The lectures are run on two full days with a separate examination within 5 days after the course. The exam lasts for one hour and consists of 50 multiple choice questions. The pass mark is 55%.
Topics
- 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
- sugar cane spirits
- Tequila and Mezcal
- vodka
- flavoured spirits(spiced rum, flavoured vodka, gin, aniseed spirits, bitter spirits/amaro, cocktail bitters, liqueurs)
Price
WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits 2 day course: KES (incl. VAT)*
Course fee includes:
- WSET systematic approach to tasting spirits card
- 117 page Level 2 course book
- 79 page Level 2 study guide
- Course specifications guide
- Exam fees
- International courier costs (exams are marked in London)
- Tasting of approximately 24 spirits
- Lunch & refreshments
- Certificate with Lapel Pin when you pass