What you'll learn
✓ What makes bourbon bourbon: the law and the story ✓ Grain and the mash bill: corn, rye, wheat and barley ✓ From grain to white dog: cooking, sour mash and distillation ✓ New charred oak and the rickhouse ✓ Straight, Bottled-in-Bond and reading the label ✓ Serving bourbon neat and in classic cocktails
Highlight #1
Describe a key feature that sets you apart, solves a problem, or adds value to your users.
Highlight #2
Describe a key feature that sets you apart, solves a problem, or adds value to your users.
Highlight #3
Describe a key feature that sets you apart, solves a problem, or adds value to your users.
Who it's for
Bourbon fans, bartenders and hospitality teams who want a complete bourbon foundation. Certified Bourbon Cowboy™ is a nice warm-up but not required. You must be of legal drinking age (18+ or the legal age where you live) to take part in the tastings.
Curriculum
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Welcome and how this course works
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About your educator
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Lesson notes: What makes bourbon bourbon
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Chapter check: What makes bourbon bourbon
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Lesson notes: Grain and the mash bill
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Chapter check: Grain and the mash bill
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Lesson notes: From grain to white dog
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Chapter check: From grain to white dog
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Lesson notes: New charred oak and the rickhouse
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Chapter check: New charred oak and the rickhouse
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Lesson notes: Straight, Bottled-in-Bond and the label
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Chapter check: Straight, Bottled-in-Bond and the label
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Lesson notes: Serving bourbon
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Chapter check: Serving bourbon
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Final review: ten facts to remember
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Final exam
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Your certificate: Certified Bourbon Explorer™
Pass the final exam and you receive your Certified Bourbon Explorer™ 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.
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. Christian Esser is an official Whisky & Gin Educator (Whisky Ambassador UK). 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, so you can study at your own pace and come back to revise. 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. It takes about 3–4 hours in total, in short modules you can finish one at a time. What language is it in? The course is taught online in English. What do I need? Any device with internet. To taste along: up to six bourbons (classic straight, high-rye, wheated, white dog, an older or small-batch bourbon and a Bottled-in-Bond) and a nosing glass. How does the exam work? A short, ungraded check after each module, then a 30-question final exam. Score 70% or more to pass; you have two attempts. Are there videos? The full lesson notes, checks and final exam are ready now. Video lessons with Christian are being added through November, and you will see them as soon as they are published. Questions? Email [email protected] or call +1 (345) 938 0458. We are happy to help, including group bookings for teams.
Liquid Lively Fun
Six modules, six bourbons, one certificate. Study at your own pace for six months. Questions? [email protected] · +1 (345) 938 0458
$95.00