WSET Level 3 Sprits course opens

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust has announced that the Level 3 Award in spirits is now open, with bookings being taken for the first courses in the UK and US.

The WSET developed the new course in response to the growing interest and overall growth of the spirits category around the world.

Building on the Level 2 course, the new programme will look in greater detail on production methods from fermentation to distillation and post-distillation and their impact on styles as well as expanding the spectrum to include shochu, baijiu and soju as well.

In addition there will be more in-depth coverage of Scotch, Armagnac, Cognac, rum, Tequila, Mezcal, vodka and gin.

The exam will include a blind tasting exam and a written paper consisting of multiple choice and short written answers.

Course developer Nick King DipWSET, WSET product development manager, Spirits and Sake, commented: “The spirits industry has been crying out for a more advanced qualification in spirits. Candidate numbers for WSET spirits qualifications (Levels 1 and 2) have grown significantly in the last 10 years (from 540 in 2009 to 6,600 in 2019) and are now taught in 33 countries worldwide reflecting growing global demand.

“We are delighted to now be able to offer the industry a Level 3 Spirits qualification that develops candidates’ knowledge and understanding of the category in great depth and also builds their tasting skills, teaching them to identify the structural and aromatic elements that make up a spirit and to make a compelling quality assessment.”

The first course in London will take place from 21-26 October, with further courses in February and June next year.

In the US, a course will take place in Chicago from 26-31 August this year will further programmes being held in Las Vegas this November and New Orleans next April.