WSET Level 2

Award in Spirits

Accessing this Course Through Upskilling Distillers Program

This course is eligible for the Upskilling Distillers funding to cover the cost of the enrollment fees. To access this funding, you must contact Industry Development Officer Seb Costello to ensure you qualify and have sufficient funding available.

Ongoing training as a distiller is an essential part of improving your business and it also improves our local industry.

The Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) is now able to offer their level 2 intermediate qualification to Victorian Distillers, and this course is eligible for the Upskilling Our Distillers funding program.

This Course will help you to develop your knowledge, your palette and help you understand your products place in the world of spirits.

WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits

Qualification aims

The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits is intended to provide a comprehensive level of spirit product knowledge from raw materials to production methods and tasting by the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting. Develop Product Knowledge and Tasting skills required to underpin job skills and competencies in spirit production, bar service, retail, wholesaling businesses.

Successful candidates will be able to give information on the characteristics of the principal spirits and aromatised wines as well as their methods of production.

They will confidently provide guidance on the use and service of spirits and make informed recommendations to customers when selecting spirits and liqueurs to meet their taste and price requirements.

Qualification structure

Learning Outcomes

In order to meet the qualification aims there are four Learning Outcomes.

  1. Learning Outcome 1: Understand the main production factors that affect a spirit's style.

  2. Learning Outcome 2: Understand how the principal types of spirits are produced and labelled, and describe their key characteristics.

  3. Learning Outcome 3: Understand how the principal types of flavoured spirits and aromatised wines are produced and labelled, and describe their key characteristics.

  4. Learning Outcome 4: Know the principles used to create a balanced cocktail and name some core cocktail families.

Course outline

The course is based around a five-week, six-module online programme with a recommendation of six hours study per week to cover the online activities and read the relevant chapters in the textbook. The course modules should be followed in sequential order during this five-week window. Regular access and participation in the online activities is essential for this mode of study.

The course prepares the student for the WSET qualification and they are guided by a WSET educator. The student can contact the educator any time for the duration of the scheduled course, should they have any questions. Each module includes a series of independent activities to help students understand the key styles of spirits and how they are made.

Students should be advised to taste a range of spirits during their studies.

A list of recommended tasting samples can be found in the Specification Document. Students can post their tasting notes in the Online Classroom for review by the educator.

Additional live tastings tutorials offered by Certified WSET Spirits Educators and Industry Specialists are included by WSET and the ADA.

COURSE REGISTRATION

All course registrations will close 8 days prior to the date of commencement of the course. Late registrations unfortunately can not be accepted. Course dates and registrations links can be accessed on the Australian Distillers website.

EXAMS

Students are usually offered a choice of Exam dates. You will be contacted once the course has started to select your preferred dates.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

There are no restrictions on entry to the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits except the Student must be of legal drinking age in Australia.

Total Qualification Time (TQT) and Guided Learning Hours (GLH)

TQT is an estimate of the total amount of time, measured in hours, that a learner would reasonably need to be able to show the level of achievement necessary for the award of a qualification. It is made up of GLH and private study time. GLH include all tutor-supervised learning and supervised assessments.

The TQT for the Level 2 Award in Spirits is 26 hours. This is made up of 15 GLH (of which 1 hour is for the examination) and 11 hours of private study.

Recommended progression routes

The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits, or an equivalent level of knowledge, is recommended for entry to the WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits.