WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits Essential Study Plan 2025/2026

£729.00

Course Highlights

  1. Learn how to recognise the characteristics of the world's most important spirits styles.

  2. Learn how to recognise the characteristics of the world's more obscure spirits styles.

  3. 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.

Give this course as a gift.

Course Highlights

  1. Learn how to recognise the characteristics of the world's most important spirits styles.

  2. Learn how to recognise the characteristics of the world's more obscure spirits styles.

  3. 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.

Give this course as a gift.

  • 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.

    • 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.

    • 27th April 2026 (deadline for booking 5 pm 17th April 2026) - FULLY BOOKED

    • 6th July 2026 (deadline for booking 5 pm 26th June 2026)

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.

25 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 your course educator’s bookable calendar, you can select dates and times for your video-tasting tutorials that suit 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 several times a year. For 2026 dates are as follows:

28th January 2026

20th May 2026

1st July 2026

9th September 2026

18th November 2026

You can choose which examination session you’d prefer. Please get in touch for more details.

If you are successful you will receive a digital certificate and digital badge.

 

Learn more about studying the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines or Spirits with Claire Drinks.

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust official Approved Programme Provider logo

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:

  • Caraway

  • Endosperm

  • Oaxaca

List the main outputs that are produced by yeast during fermentation apart from ethanol, carbon dioxide (CO2) and heat. (5 marks)

  • Esters

  • Methanol

  • Fusel Alcohols

  • Fatty Acids

  • 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