A professional understanding of spirits: raw materials, distillation, maturation, and the styles of every major category.
At a glance
| Qualification | WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits, awarded by WSET |
|---|---|
| Format | Online, through WSET’s Online Classroom, with a WSET educator and personal support from IBA |
| Length | 5 weeks, 6 modules |
| Study time | about 30 hours of guided online study over 5 weeks (around 6 hours per week) plus revision |
| Exam | 50 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes, taken online by remote invigilation. Pass mark 55%. |
| Materials | WSET Level 2 Spirits study pack (textbook and workbook) included and shipped to you, or provided as an eBook on request |
| Price | $770 all-inclusive: WSET course registration, study materials, exam with remote invigilation, and IBA support |
| Resit fee | $290 (exam with remote invigilation, if a second attempt is needed) |
| Register by | 10 days before your chosen start date (see dates below) |
What’s included
- Registration for the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits course in WSET’s Online Classroom for your chosen dates
- WSET Level 2 Spirits study pack (textbook and workbook) included and shipped to you, or provided as an eBook on request
- A WSET online educator who answers questions and reviews your tasting notes for the length of the course
- Personal support from Luis Romero, IBA’s founder and WSET certified educator, by email and Zoom until you are certified
- A tasting sample shopping list and guidance on sourcing samples where you live
- One exam attempt by remote invigilation, scheduled after your course finishes
- Your WSET digital certificate and certified logo on passing
Study pack shipping: included for US addresses (your shipping address is requested at checkout). International students receive the eBook study pack at no extra cost.
Who this course is for
- Bar and beverage professionals building spirits expertise
- Brand ambassadors, distributors, and retailers
- Serious enthusiasts and home mixologists
No prior qualification is required. You must be at least 21 years old (the legal drinking age in the United States) or the legal drinking age in your country of residence, and comfortable studying in English.
What you will learn
- How raw materials, fermentation, distillation, and maturation shape style and quality
- The principal spirit categories (whisky, brandy, rum, tequila, vodka, gin, and more) and their styles
- Flavoured spirits and liqueurs
- Storage, service, and the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits
Full learning outcomes are in the official WSET specification: WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits specification.
Course structure
The course runs over 5 weeks in WSET’s Online Classroom. Modules are released in order and you work through them at your own pace within the course window. Expect 6 hours per week, including textbook reading.
- Production: raw materials to maturation
- Whiskies of the world
- Brandies and grape spirits
- Rum, agave spirits, and other cane and plant spirits
- Vodka, gin, flavoured spirits, and liqueurs
- Service, tasting, and revision
Tasting samples
A list of recommended tasting samples is in the specification. Spirits are not shipped; a prioritized shopping list is provided. This course involves tasting alcoholic beverages.
The exam
50 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes, taken online by remote invigilation. Pass mark 55%. The exam is booked by IBA after you enroll and takes place after your course end date, on a date agreed with you. You will need a computer with a webcam, a stable internet connection, and a quiet room. WSET’s Remote Invigilation guidance is sent at least seven days before your exam. Results and your digital certificate are issued by WSET, usually within a few weeks of the exam.
Dates and registration deadline
Choose your start date above. Every course starts on a Monday and ends on a Sunday. Registration closes 10 days before the start date. That time is needed to register you with WSET, have your Online Classroom login created and sent to you, and get your materials to you before day one. Late registrations cannot be processed; if you miss a deadline, the next start date is usually two weeks away.
| Start | End | Register by | WSET course code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 18, 2027 | Feb 21, 2027 | Jan 8, 2027 | O2SP2703 |
| Mar 15, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | Mar 5, 2027 | O2SP2704 |
| May 10, 2027 | Jun 13, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | O2SP2705 |
| Jun 28, 2027 | Aug 1, 2027 | Jun 18, 2027 | O2SP2706 |
Before you book
- Questions about which level is right for you? Email Luis at contact@beveragecertified.com or call 407 968 8384 to talk it through before you commit.
- If you may need reasonable adjustments for the exam (extra time, assistive technology, or other support), say so at booking. There is a field for this at checkout. Applications must reach WSET at least four weeks before the exam.
- Please read the Cancellation and Refund Policy, Privacy Policy, and Reasonable Adjustments Policy before booking. All IBA policies are on the Policies page.
International Beverage Academy is a WSET Approved Programme Provider (APP No. 3168), an independent course provider approved by WSET. IBA is not part of WSET.
International Beverage Academy is a WSET Approved Programme Provider (APP No. 3168), an independent course provider approved by WSET to deliver the WSET Level 1 and Level 2 Awards in Wines and in Spirits. IBA is not part of WSET. WSET courses involve tasting alcoholic beverages; students must be of legal drinking age in their country of residence.