What you'll learn

✓ How spirits are made: raw materials, fermentation, pot, column and hybrid stills, oak, blending and bottling ✓ The AWS systematic tasting approach, the language of aromas and common faults ✓ Vodka, gin and flavoured spirits; rum and cane spirits; tequila and mezcal ✓ Whisky and whiskey: Scotch, Irish, American, Japanese, Canadian and world whiskies ✓ Brandy and liqueurs: Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, pisco, eaux-de-vie, vermouth and bitters ✓ Labels and legal terms, serving, food pairing and responsible enjoyment

Copper pot stills and the four production steps: raw material, ferment, distil, mature

From plant to bottle

Raw materials, fermentation, pot and column stills, oak and blending: how every production choice shows up in your glass.

Christian Esser with a nosing glass and the AWS systematic tasting approach

Twelve spirits, one method

Taste twelve spirits, from vodka to Calvados, with the AWS systematic approach (Look · Nose · Palate · Conclude) and judge quality with BLIC.

Labels, serving, food and mixing, and responsible enjoyment

Read it, serve it, enjoy it

Labels and legal terms, glassware, water and ice, food pairing, the classic cocktail families and responsible enjoyment.

Who it's for

Spirits enthusiasts, home bartenders and hospitality professionals who want to move beyond the basics. No prior qualification needed; AWS Spirits Explorer™ or First Pour™ is a nice warm-up. You must be of legal drinking age (18+ or the legal age where you live) to take part in the tastings.

Curriculum

11 Chapters · 33 Lessons

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Certified Spirits Enthusiast™

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      About your educator

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Raw materials and fermentation

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Distillation: pot, column and hybrid stills

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Maturation, oak, blending and bottling

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Look · Nose · Palate · Conclude

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Describing aromas and judging quality

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Vodka and neutral spirits

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Gin, genever and flavoured spirits

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Rum and cane spirits

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Tequila

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Mezcal and other agave spirits

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Scotch whisky

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Irish and American whiskey

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Japanese, Canadian and world whiskies

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 5 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Cognac and Armagnac

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Other grape and fruit brandies

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Liqueurs, aromatised wines and bitters

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 6 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Spirits law: categories and protected names

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading a spirit label

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 7 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Serving spirits: glasses, water, ice and storage

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Spirits with food and in cocktails

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Responsible enjoyment

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 8 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Final exam

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Congratulations and next steps

Academy of Wine & Spirits logo

Your certificate: Certified Spirits Enthusiast™

Pass the final exam and you receive your Certified Spirits Enthusiast™ certificate, signed by Christian Esser, Director of Education, Academy of Wine & Spirits. Add it to your CV and LinkedIn profile and show guests and employers what you know.

Christian Esser, Director of Education, Academy of Wine & Spirits

Meet your educator: Christian Esser

Christian Esser is the founder and Director of Education of the Academy of Wine & Spirits, winner of two LUXlife Hospitality Awards 2026 (Caribbean & USA): Best Luxury Beverage Education Provider and Hospitality Training Excellence Award. A Wine, Spirits & Sake Educator with formal training in viticulture and winemaking, he brings 20+ years of experience across 43 countries. He founded The Rum Ambassador, the first international rum certification, with WIRSPA, and led wine programmes at Grand Old House, Ortanique and Cayman Spirits Co. Liquid Lively Fun

Award-winning education

LUXlife Hospitality Awards 2026 · Caribbean & USA ★ Best Luxury Beverage Education Provider 2026 ★ Hospitality Training Excellence Award 2026

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have access? Six months (183 days) from the day you enroll. Can I start anytime? Yes. The course is 100% online and self-paced: start the moment you enroll and study on any device, whenever it suits you. Study in short lessons, one at a time, and pick up where you left off. What language is it in? The course is taught online in English. What do I need? Any device with internet. To taste along: the twelve spirits on the shopping list in lesson 1 (small samples are fine), a tulip-shaped glass and the AWS tasting note card. How does the exam work? Practice knowledge checks, then a 30-question final exam. Score 70% or more to pass; you have two attempts. Questions? Email [email protected] or call +1 (345) 938 0458. We are happy to help, including group bookings for teams.

Liquid Lively Fun

Twelve spirits, every category, one certificate. Study at your own pace for six months. Questions? [email protected] · +1 (345) 938 0458

$195.00

Enroll now – US$195