WSET LEVEL 3 AWARD IN SPIRITS
The WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits is an advanced-level qualification for professionals and enthusiasts wishing to acquire a detailed understanding of the spirits of the world and develop the tasting skills required to accurately describe and evaluate a spirit.
Conducted by Aruni Vaswani, this qualification is intended to build on knowledge and skills gained from the Level 2 Award in Spirits. You’ll acquire a deep theoretical understanding of the techniques used in spirit production, from the processing of raw materials to post-distillation operations. Through a combination of tasting and the application of theoretical knowledge you will learn to explain confidently why spirits look and taste the way they do and how and why they differ from each other. This qualification represents the pinnacle of structured spirits learning.
Who can enroll
The level 3 award in Spirits is designed to build on an existing level of knowledge equivalent to the level 2 Award in spirits. The level 3 award in Spirits is open to those who have completed the Level 2 Award in Spirits or the Spirits module of the Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits.
You must be of legal drinking age.
Course delivery
This qualification has a minimum requirement of 84 hours of study time:
- 30 hours of guided learning hours
- 51 ½ hours personal study and revision
- 2 ½ hour examination
Approximately 60 hours of private study in addition to the 30 hours of guided tuition hours.
It is recommended that you book your course in advance so that private study is done once study materials are received. It is important that significant private study is done in preparation for the course.
Reading the course Specification prior to the start of the course and during the course will help you immensely when preparing for the course and the examination.
Includes – The study pack; around 60 in-class spirits samples and a mock exam.
What you'll learn
Unit 1
- A detailed understanding of the techniques used in spirit production:
- Processing of raw materials
- Alcoholic fermentation
- Distillation
- Post-distillation practices
- Factors affecting the style and quality of spirits, studying eleven core spirit categories in detail:
- Scotch Whisky
- Bourbon
- Rye Whiskey
- Tennessee Whiskey
- Cognac
- Armagnac
- Caribbean rum
- Tequila
- Mezcal
- Vodka
- Gin
An overview of 23 additional spirit categories, focusing on:
- Principal production methods
- Key styles
- Key labelling terms
Unit 2
How to taste and describe spirits using the WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits®(SAT)
It is recommended that you read the relevant chapters ahead of each day/sessions.
Course Information
For more information and full details on the course requirements, please download the Specification below.
Assessment
The 2½ hour closed-book examination is made up of 2 Units:
- Unit 1: a two-part theory examination
- Part 1 is made up of 50 multiple-choice questions
- Part 2 is made up of short answer questions
Unit 1 is assessed by a closed book theory examination in two parts and must be completed in two hours.
Part 2 is a question paper requiring written answers. It consists of six 5-mark questions, three 10-mark questions and one 20-mark question. These will assess your description and explanation skills in reference to what you have learned throughout the course.
You must attain a minimum mark of 55% in both parts to pass Unit 1.
Unit 2: a tasting examination of two spirit samples tasted blind.
- Unit 2 is assessed by a blind tasting of two spirits which must be completed in 30 minutes. This is designed to assess your ability to accurately describe a spirit, identify its category and draw a conclusion on its quality level based on your observations.
- You must attain a combined mark of 55% across the two spirits to pass Unit 2.
Both units are examined in person on the same day, with a short break between the papers.
You will need to pass both parts of the theory examination (Unit 1), and the tasting examination (Unit 2), to achieve the qualification.
Pass marks
- Pass: mean average mark of 55% – 64%
- Pass with Merit: mean average mark of between 65% – 79%
- Pass with Distinction: mean average mark of 80% or above (with no individual examination paper below 65%)
On successful completion of the examination, you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin, and will be able to use the associated certified logo.
Enquire now! Level 3 Award in Spirits(Perth and Margaret River).
Royal Perth Golf Club, 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth
6 Consecutive Mondays. (One day a week for 6 consecutive weeks)
10, 17, 24, 31st March, 7, 14th April 2025
Enrolment deadline-10th February.
9am to 5pm.
Course fee $1,990
Theory resit fee $220
Tasting resit fee $185
Examination resit fee $340
Final bookings are required 1 month before commencement date.
30 hours of guided learning plus a 2½ hour examination on 14th April 2025 (Exam from 9.30 am -1pm).
Margaret River Distilling Co. 1 Maxwell Street off Carters Road, Margaret River
6 Consecutive Days.
Dates to be released soon. 9am to 5pm
Course fee
$1,990
Theory resit fee $200
Tasting resit fee $185
Examination resit fee $340
Final bookings are required 1 month before commencement date.
30 hours of guided learning plus a 2½ hour examination after the final session has been completed.
Dress Code: Fully buttoned shirt tucked in, belted dress trousers (including belt), enclosed shoes with socks must be worn by all guests and members. The following items are not permitted to be worn at Royal Perth Golf Club at any time: Denim clothing of any description, tracksuits, cargo shorts, board shorts, singlet’s, thongs or shoes without socks, women’s dress sandals and heels accepted. The club reserves the right to refuse entrance.
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