WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits Online

Image of a copper distillation still with the logo WSET Wine & Spirit Education Trust and the text WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits - Online

All WSET textbooks and study guides are in an eBook format.

Online

IWEG offers online WSET courses through WSET’s Online Classroom, which allows you to study alongside your peers under the guidance of a dedicated educator. This course is based around a 5-week structured online program with a recommendation of six hours study per week to cover the online activities and read the relevant chapters in the textbook. The course follows a weekly structure, but you can work ahead or catch up on the activities and forums. There are no set times to log into the course as there are no live chats or webinars. Regular access and participation in the course online activities is essential for this mode of study. You may contact the educator any time for the duration of the scheduled course. Each week includes a series of independent activities that guide you understand the key styles of spirits and how they are made. You are advised to taste a range of spirits during your studies though it is not mandatory for this course. A list of recommended tasting samples can be found in the specification. Please note that it is your responsibility to source these spirit samples and the cost of these is not included in the tuition fee. You can post your tasting notes in the WSET Online Classroom for review by the educator.

Course details

This intermediate-level course is for those entering a profession in the industry as well as for enthusiasts who wish to broaden their knowledge in a structured way. You’ll learn about the fundamental production methods, principal raw materials and how they are used to make key spirit styles. You’ll also explore the key practices and principles of serving spirits and the use of spirits in cocktails.

Prerequisite: None.

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, building on the introductory knowledge gained with the WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits. Throughout the course, you’ll develop analytical tasting skills while exploring the use of spirits in cocktails.

This 14-hour course provides fundamental product knowledge and systematic tasting skills. Expect to spend an additional 12 hours on preparation and review outside of the classroom.

You'll learn:

  • How to taste and describe spirits using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine®(SAT)
  • Major spirits categories and styles, as well as liqueurs, vermouth and cocktails
  • The four main steps in spirits production
  • What labelling terms mean
  • Assessment and description skills as you sample a range of benchmark examples
  • Basic principles of spirits storage and service and about cocktail equipment, ingredients, basic techniques and main cocktail families

Upon successful completion of a 50-question multiple-choice exam, you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo.

All WSET textbooks and study guides are in an eBook format.

View the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits specification for more information about the course.

Upcoming courses

Monday, May 13th - Sunday, June 16th. Online examination through a remote invigilation service: exam date to be agreed with program administrator after enrollment. Course code: O2SP2406APP. Course fee payment due Friday, May 3rd at noon.

Monday, July 8th - Sunday, August 11th. Online examination through a remote invigilation service: exam date to be agreed with program administrator after enrollment. Course code: O2SP2407APP. Course fee payment due Friday, June 28th at noon.