WSET gives spirits a refresh

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust has unveiled an updated version of its prestigious Level 3 Award in Spirits, as the number of global students taking a WSET Spirits course surpasses 100,000 since the launch in 2003.

The refreshed qualification brings more depth to spirits production theory, improved accessibility, and a refined Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT). Students can now expect a clearer, more structured method for evaluating spirits, using simplified language and regional descriptors, while maintaining consistency across assessments.

Rob McCaughey, WSET’s head of business development for spirits, said the qualifications continue to transform lives and careers: “We really are the connective tissue of the industry...working with everybody, yet for nobody.”

The updated course includes improved tasting skills, more inclusive learning materials, and enhanced assessment support - ensuring learners are better prepared and more confident on their spirits education journey.