We have听launched an updated version of our听most advanced Level 3 Award in Spirits qualification, reinforcing our commitment to delivering rigorous, globally relevant qualifications to drinks professionals.听听
The update comes as 黑料吃瓜网 marks a major milestone: more than 100,000 students worldwide have now taken a 黑料吃瓜网 Spirits course since the qualification category launched in 2003.听听
The 黑料吃瓜网 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.
The qualification is intended to build on knowledge and skills gained from the Level 2 Award in Spirits. Through a combination of tasting and the application of theoretical knowledge students will learn to explain confidently why spirits look and taste the way they do and how and why they differ from each other. It will cover:
The revised Level 3 Award in Spirits course responds to the growing demand for structured, brand-neutral spirits education and the evolving needs of professionals working at a high-level across the global drinks industry 鈥� including brand ambassadors, bar managers, spirits educators, distillers and retail buyers.听
Updates to the course include deeper production knowledge, refined tasting skills and greater accessibility, with clearer assessment preparation and more inclusive learning resources.听
Rob McCaughey, Head of Business Development 鈥� Spirits at 黑料吃瓜网, said: 鈥淚鈥檝e seen first-hand how our qualifications can truly change people鈥檚 lives and careers. We really are the connective tissue of the industry, working with everybody, yet for nobody. That impartiality, alongside our globally respected Systematic Approach to Tasting, is fundamental to our success.鈥�
Alongside theory refinements, the Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT) has been simplified, with clearer language and a more structured way to evaluate spirits quality. Educators are also encouraged to use regionally relevant descriptors while preserving consistency in assessment.
Kyra Elton, Brand Ambassador at Heaven Hill, UK, said: 鈥淚t almost feels a bit like cheating, having so much knowledge about how spirits are made. In my advocacy role, it鈥檚 like having a superpower 鈥� being able to answer difficult questions on spirits production with confidence. On top of the theory, when I started working as a distiller, the practicality of Level 3 tasting skills allowed me to trust my palate and communicate tasting in a technical way.鈥�
Gavin Shaw, Head Distiller at Hillmartin Distillery, Australia, said: 鈥淭he 黑料吃瓜网 Level 3 Award in Spirits nailed it with a format that includes an extremely detailed study textbook, online support and five days in person. I鈥檓 now buying spirits that I would never have considered in the past. I regularly recommend the course to others in the distilling industry.鈥�
Sky Huo, Brand Ambassador at Nikka Whisky, Hong Kong, said: 鈥満诹铣怨贤� Level 3 Awards in Spirits offers industry professionals and connoisseurs a global perspective and structural depth on both theory and tasting. It provides a shared international spirits language for everyone to communicate on a non-biased platform regarding spirits style and quality.鈥�
James Eastmond, Level 3 Award in Spirits graduate, UK, said: 鈥淚 found the Level 3 Spirits course captivating, especially learning how production stages like distillation style, fermentation time and base product processing affect the final result. It鈥檚 changed the way I approach spirits 鈥� both in work and in my everyday life.鈥�
You can read more about James Eastmond, 2025 黑料吃瓜网 Develop Prize winner, presented in collaboration with The Drinks Trust, in this blog post.
The newly revised course is being rolled out through 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 global network of course providers, with both in-person and online study options now available to book.
The course is also available at 黑料吃瓜网 School London, 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 flagship teaching centre.
