WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits Essential Study Plan
Course Highlights
Learn how to recognise the characteristics of the world's most important spirits styles.
Learn how to recognise the characteristics of the world's more obscure spirits styles.
Deep dive into the range of methods for processing a spirit’s raw materials, and the choices a distiller makes for fermentation, distillation and maturation that impact the spirit’s style and quality.
Upon completing the course, you'll be able to confidently communicate why the world's spirits are the way they are. You'll be able to make thoughtful and creative purchasing decisions and train staff. You'll feel inspired and motivated and have significantly expanded your taste experiences. You'll have developed your tasting skills to incisively assess a spirit for its style and quality.
Level: Advanced. Level 3 is for professionals and enthusiasts looking to elevate their knowledge and skills. You will already have achieved the WSET L2 Award in Spirits or have a similar level of experience.
Course Highlights
Learn how to recognise the characteristics of the world's most important spirits styles.
Learn how to recognise the characteristics of the world's more obscure spirits styles.
Deep dive into the range of methods for processing a spirit’s raw materials, and the choices a distiller makes for fermentation, distillation and maturation that impact the spirit’s style and quality.
Upon completing the course, you'll be able to confidently communicate why the world's spirits are the way they are. You'll be able to make thoughtful and creative purchasing decisions and train staff. You'll feel inspired and motivated and have significantly expanded your taste experiences. You'll have developed your tasting skills to incisively assess a spirit for its style and quality.
Level: Advanced. Level 3 is for professionals and enthusiasts looking to elevate their knowledge and skills. You will already have achieved the WSET L2 Award in Spirits or have a similar level of experience.
Course Highlights
Learn how to recognise the characteristics of the world's most important spirits styles.
Learn how to recognise the characteristics of the world's more obscure spirits styles.
Deep dive into the range of methods for processing a spirit’s raw materials, and the choices a distiller makes for fermentation, distillation and maturation that impact the spirit’s style and quality.
Upon completing the course, you'll be able to confidently communicate why the world's spirits are the way they are. You'll be able to make thoughtful and creative purchasing decisions and train staff. You'll feel inspired and motivated and have significantly expanded your taste experiences. You'll have developed your tasting skills to incisively assess a spirit for its style and quality.
Level: Advanced. Level 3 is for professionals and enthusiasts looking to elevate their knowledge and skills. You will already have achieved the WSET L2 Award in Spirits or have a similar level of experience.
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The WSET L3 Award in Spirits teaches…
Production factors that influence spirit style.
A comprehensive overview of the characteristics of the world's spirit styles, including Asian spirits such as Baijiu and Shochu.
Advanced tasting skills, how to critically assess the style and quality through smell and taste.
For more information on what you will learn please see the WSET L3 Award in Spirits Specification.
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Accompanying book pack "Understanding Spirits: Explaining Style & Quality".
Support from a WSET Certified Educator.
2-hour theory closed-book examination and 30-minute blind practical examination.
Free digital download.
Access to the Claire Drinks Online Classroom for one year from registration.
Video content, activities, quizzes and a mock exam.
Recommended samples list.
12 x 30 ml spirits samples.
2 hours of one-to-one video tutorials.
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20th January 2025 (deadline for booking 5 pm 13th January 2025)
24th March 2025 (deadline for booking 5 pm 17th March 2025)
28th April 2025 (deadline for booking 5 pm 21st April 2025)
26th May 2025 (deadline for booking 5 pm 19th May 2025)
You will be working closely with Claire Blackler MW as your dedicated WSET Certified Educator. You will get personalised one-to-one support throughout your studies (and most likely beyond) to help you achieve your study goals.
You have the complete flexibility to schedule your studies around your home and work life. However, it typically takes 10-16 weeks to complete a WSET L3 qualification.
You have the choice of a hard-copy textbook or an ebook. The licence for the ebook expires after one year.
Your study pack will be dispatched shortly before your course is due to start. It will include your textbook, your tasting samples and a Claire Drinks tasting mat. All other resources will be provided online.
Immediately upon registration, you will receive a link to a free digital download that covers the first module.
30 ml spirit samples are provided in 50 ml recyclable pouches. They will need to be kept cool and away from direct sunlight until you are ready to taste them.
Using the course educator’s bookable calendar, you can select a date and time for your video-tasting tutorial that suits you.
You will have access to the Claire Drinks Online Classroom throughout your studies. Hosted by the open-source learning management system Moodle, the Online Classroom comprises directed reading plans, audio and video content, activities, quizzes, recommendations for tasting samples, and additional learning resources. The Online Classroom can be accessed on your desktop, laptop, mobile or tablet, so you can study whether you're on the bus, on the beach or at the bar!
The examination must be taken in person. Sessions are offered in Edinburgh four times a year, in March, June, September and November. You can choose which examination session you’d prefer. Please get in touch for more details.
If you are successful you will receive a certificate and pin.
Learn more about studying the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines or Spirits with Claire Drinks.
If you’re wondering whether Level 3 is right for you, have a go at the following multiple-choice and short answer questions that you might find in a Level 3 examination:
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Caraway
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Endosperm
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Oaxaca
List the main outputs that are produced by yeast during fermentation apart from ethanol, carbon dioxide (CO2) and heat. (5 marks)
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Esters
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Methanol
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Fusel Alcohols
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Fatty Acids
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Sulfur Compounds
The Claire Drinks Enhanced Study Plan includes 50 x 30 ml samples. Please get in touch for more information.
Enhanced Study Plan available
