What you'll learn
✓ Cognac and the Charente: history and the appellation ✓ The six crus, the grapes and the base wine ✓ Double distillation in the alambic charentais ✓ Oak, cellars and time ✓ Blending, the age categories and reading any label ✓ Serving Cognac, cocktails and food pairing
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
Cognac lovers, bartenders, servers and sommeliers who want a thorough, practical Cognac foundation. Certified Cognac Cavalier™ 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
-
-
(Included in full purchase)
Welcome and how this course works
-
(Included in full purchase)
About your educator
-
(Included in full purchase)
-
-
(Included in full purchase)
Lesson notes: Cognac and the Charente
-
(Included in full purchase)
Chapter check: Cognac and the Charente
-
(Included in full purchase)
-
-
(Included in full purchase)
Lesson notes: Crus, grapes and the base wine
-
(Included in full purchase)
Chapter check: Crus, grapes and the base wine
-
(Included in full purchase)
-
-
(Included in full purchase)
Lesson notes: Double distillation
-
(Included in full purchase)
Chapter check: Double distillation
-
(Included in full purchase)
-
-
(Included in full purchase)
Lesson notes: Oak, cellars and time
-
(Included in full purchase)
Chapter check: Oak, cellars and time
-
(Included in full purchase)
-
-
(Included in full purchase)
Lesson notes: Blending, ages and labels
-
(Included in full purchase)
Chapter check: Blending, ages and labels
-
(Included in full purchase)
-
-
(Included in full purchase)
Lesson notes: Serving, cocktails and food
-
(Included in full purchase)
Chapter check: Serving, cocktails and food
-
(Included in full purchase)
-
-
(Included in full purchase)
Final review: ten facts to remember
-
(Included in full purchase)
Final exam
-
(Included in full purchase)
Your certificate: Certified Cognac Explorer™
Pass the final exam and you receive your Certified Cognac 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. Liquid Lively Fun
Christian Esser is an official Cognac Educator
This is one of Christian’s personal educator titles. The course itself is created and certified by the Academy of Wine & Spirits.
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 Cognacs (a VS, two VSOPs, an XO, a Cognac with no age mention and one more of your choice) and a tulip-shaped glass. The full list is in the welcome lesson. 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. 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 Cognacs, one certificate. Study at your own pace for six months. Course image: Sémhur, CC BY-SA 4.0 Questions? [email protected] · +1 (345) 938 0458
$95.00