WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits
Online Course
Master the Art of Spirits Assessment & Production
& Get Your WSET Level 3 Certification
The WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits is for those seeking deep knowledge of how the world’s great spirits are made, how to assess them professionally, and the expertise to explain their characteristics with precision and confidence. You can take this course from anywhere, but the review session and exam must be completed in-person.
You study online over a nine-week window, working through the material at your own pace with the support of an expert instructor. We recommend ten hours study per week to cover the online activities and read the relevant chapters in the textbook. The in-person tasting calibration and review session is led by Charlene Rooke, with the exam the next day.
Bonus offer: when you register for a WSET online course, you receive a FREE Fine Vintage online course (value of $99-299 depending on the course) plus FREE access to our extensive video library, and a list of our Fine Vintage proprietary exam practice questions. It’s an unbeatable deal – two online courses for the price of one.
Course Overview
The WSET Level 3 in Spirits is an advanced course for spirits professionals and serious enthusiasts. You will learn about:
- Key characteristics of the selected global spirits using the WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits®
- The quality level of a spirit, giving supporting reasons
- The four stages of production, the function of raw materials and the role of yeast and bacteria
- The key terminology and principles of distillation
- Pot stills and the simplified model of double pot still distillation, types of column stills
- Post-distillation operations
- The principles of starch formation and conversion
- Different states and sequences of alcoholic fermentation
- Scottish double pot still distillation and the use of beer stills in the USA
- Some of the unique features of Asian spirits distillation
- The laws that control the distillation and post-distillation operations for Scotch and American whiskies
- How fresh-fruit spirits and pomace spirits are made
- The method of double-pot distillation used in Cognac and the method of single-column distillation used in Armagnac
- Key production choices and the legal framework for Cognac and Armagnac
- How sugar cane is processed and fermented
- Pots with double retorts and how they can be used to make a spirit with a single distillation
- Key post-distillation choices
- The legal framework in the EU, USA, Jamaica, Cuba and Martinique
- How agave are processed and fermented
- Asian-style pot stills
- Key production choices and the legal framework for Tequila and Mezcal
- European traditions for processing potatoes
- Multiple-column stills
- Key production choices and the legal framework for vodka
- Common techniques for flavouring and colouring spirits
- Key production choices and the legal framework for gin
- How aromatised wines are made
Payments
TERMS: Full payment is charged at the time of registration. Your payment is non-refundable but you can transfer it once to another person or to a future course of the same type, if you contact us 14 days or more before the start date. In the rare event Fine Vintage has to cancel a course you will receive a 100% refund.
Online Program
You will have nine weeks from the course start date to work through the nine modules, which should be followed in sequential order. We recommend setting aside around ten hours of study per week to cover the online activities and read the relevant chapters in your textbook — roughly 90 hours in total, plus revision time. Regular access and participation in the online activities is essential for this mode of study. You’ll have access to a certified spirits educator through the online portal and can ask questions throughout the course. Spirit samples are not included for the online course.
Exam & Certification
The WSET Level 3 in Spirits exam is completed in-person at one of our exam centres. The exam consists of three sections:
1. Blind Tasting:
You will taste and assess two spirits, describing their characteristics, identifying likely category and production methods, and evaluating quality.
2. Theory Exam Part 1 – Multiple Choice:
50 multiple-choice questions testing your knowledge of spirits production, regulations, and styles.
3. Theory Exam Part 2 – Short Answer:
10 short-answer questions requiring detailed written explanations of production methods, regulations, and quality factors.
The pass mark for each section is 55%. Upon successful completion you will receive a WSET digital certificate, a formal qualification in spirits with international recognition. So enroll today and fuel your passion.
The perfect course to complete your spirits education
Get your WSET Certification
LEVEL 3 IN SPIRITS ONLINE: TORONTO EXAM
TERMS: Full payment is charged at the time of registration. Your payment is non-refundable and non-transferable. This course is administered out of London, UK and does not fall under PTIB authority.
Tell me more
Who takes this course?
Spirits professionals seeking advanced qualifications and serious enthusiasts ready for an intensive, rigorous program. The majority are sommeliers, bartenders, spirits buyers, sales representatives, and educators looking to advance their careers and expertise.
We welcome anyone with a strong foundation in spirits knowledge. This is an advanced course and prior completion of WSET Level 2 in Spirits (or equivalent knowledge) is strongly recommended. The course is run based on the assumption that students have at least Level 2 knowledge, including familiarity with the WSET’s Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits (SAT). You should be comfortable with spirits terminology, production basics, and professional tasting techniques before enrolling. You must also be fluent in English. Our instructor is happy to answer questions throughout the course.
Course Preparation
Study Guide
You will receive an eBook study guide within 24 hours of registration and you can start reading it immediately.
Access is valid for 2 years from the date of code redemption.
Testimonials
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