Advanced Spirits Knowledge

This course aims to provide you with a solid knowledge of the seven major spirit categories— agave spirits, brandy, gin, liqueurs, rum, vodka and whiskey. Throughout history, each spirit category has developed its own unique identity, narrowing in scope of flavour or expanding to encompass many different styles and methods of production which we’ll discuss in this course. 

Course topics include:

• The history of alcohol and the origin of distilled spirits
• The different classifications of stills used to make spirits including pot, alembic, column and hybrid stills
• The four steps to making distilled spirits: fermentation, distillation, ageing and finishing
• The seven distinct categories of spirits

This course has been optimised for desktop and mobile viewing. 

View course details

As the most popular unaged spirit in the world, vodka is known for its mix-ability. Whether you're making a cocktail that's clean and dry, or sweet and spicy, vodka is a blank template for flavour.

From caviar service to homemade ingredients, vodka can be elegant, humble, or fun. Advanced Vodka Knowledge is a comprehensive course that will teach you the key information you need to know about vodka.

This course will cover:

• The long and fascinating history of vodka
• The manufacturing process for vodka and the types of stills used
• How to read a vodka label
• The styles of vodka; including straight, flavoured and overproof
• The practical applications of vodka
• The history and origin of a selection of vodka brands.

It's time to take your vodka knowledge to the next level!

View course details

A gin martini before dinner on a Friday evening is a great way to ease into the weekend. Or perhaps a tall, refreshing gin and tonic on a sunny day is more your style? No matter the occasion, gin is one of the most versatile mixing spirits of all.

Advanced Gin Knowledge is a comprehensive course that will take your ability to use gin to the next level.

To do this, this course will cover:

• The origins of the juniper berry and how it became gin
• The fascinating history of gin; from the Netherlands to Britain
• The production process of gin
• The different styles of gin, including London dry, Old tom, and Navy strength
• Practical applications of gin
• Key brands in the global gin market.

Let's get gin-spired by gin!

View course details

From tiki bars to pool-side sipping, nothing quite transports you to the tropics like rum. Advanced Rum Knowledge is a comprehensive course that will teach you everything you need to know about rum.

As one of the most famous spirits in the world, rum is known for its rainbow of flavours and sheer versatility. Whether you're making a drink that's clean and dry, or sweet and spicy, there's a rum that will work for you.

This course will cover:

• The long and fascinating history of rum
• The manufacturing process for rum and the types of stills used
• How to read a rum label
• The worldly origin of rum; including French, Spanish, English and Brazilian influenced rums
• The history and origin of a selection of rum brands.

View course details

Tequila and Mezcal are both agave spirits and are part of a fast-growing alcohol category. Tequila and Mezcal are both native to Mexico and deeply connected to the land and its people. From smooth Tequilas to smoky Mezcals, these spirits are as varied as the plant they come from - agave!

Advanced Tequila and Mezcal Knowledge is a comprehensive course that will teach you everything you need to know about two of the most popular styles of agave spirits. So whether you're making a margarita or pouring a Tequila tasting flight, you can tell a story about what you are serving.

This course will cover:

• The striking history of Mezcal and Tequila
• The manufacturing process for Mezcal and Tequila, including more traditional production methods
• How to read a Tequila or Mezcal label
• The styles of aged Mezcal and Tequila; including blanco, reposado, and añejo
• The most common styles of agave used to make Mezcal
• The Mexican states where Mezcal and Tequila are produced
• The history and origin of a selection of Tequila and Mezcal brands.
• It's time to take your Tequila and Mezcal knowledge to the next level!

View course details

The term whiskey is derived from a Gaelic word meaning "the water of life" – and it’s a spot-on name too; this wonderful, complex spirit has been sustaining us since before the 15th century!

Whiskey is an umbrella term for distilled alcoholic drinks made from fermented mash grain – most often from barley, wheat, corn, and rye. With many varieties of the drink, laws surrounding production, and a distinct vocabulary for discussing it, it’s no wonder whiskey is one of the most intimidating spirits to learn about.

Advanced Whiskey Knowledge is a comprehensive course that will take your understanding of whiskey to the next level.

To do this, we will cover:

• The types of grains used to make whiskey
• The flavour profile different grains give to whiskey
• The origin of whiskey in Scotland and Ireland
• The production process of whiskey
• The traditional styles of whiskey including Scotch, Irish, American and Canadian
• Key global players of whiskey including Japanese-style whisky.

View course details

American whiskey is a dynamic and lovable spirit. A great variety of styles and flavour profiles lie within this broad spirit category, plus a few sub-categories which must follow strict regulations to qualify as authentic. Such whiskeys include bourbon and rye whiskey made in the United States, Canadian rye and blended whiskies.

The versatility of American whiskey lends itself to cocktail making, and any well-curated bar will have at least one bourbon and one rye whiskey for making classic cocktails like the Manhattan, Mint Julep, Old Fashioned, Sazerac, and Whiskey Sour.

This course will cover:

• The tumultuous history of American whiskey
• How American whiskey is made
• How to read an American whiskey label
• The styles of American whiskey including bourbon, rye, blended whiskey, Tennessee whiskey, white whiskey, American single malt and Canadian whisky
• The history and origin of a selection of American whiskey brands.

It's time to take your American whiskey knowledge to the next level!

View course details

Scotch whisky, the national drink of Scotland, is one of the most popular categories of whisk(e)y consumed around the world. Whisky can only be referred to as Scotch if it is made in Scotland and adheres to a list of very specific rules. It's very fashionable to be a Scotch drinker these days, but with the massive range available it can be an overwhelming spirit to navigate.

Advanced Scotch Knowledge is a comprehensive course that will take your understanding of Scotch to the next level. This course will break down the different styles of Scotch whisky available and take a deep dive into each style's unique qualities.
This course will cover:

• How barley (and other grains) evolved to become whisky
• The fascinating history of Scotch
• How Scotch is made, including the different production processes
• The styles of Scotch, including single malt, single grain, blended malt, blended grain and blended Scotch whiskies
• Scotland's main producing regions
• Scotch brands that are global players.

It's time to pour yourself a glass of Scotch and start learning!

View course details

No after-dinner drink is as sophisticated as brandy. Brandy comes in many different styles, aromas, textures and flavours. Whether you're pouring a Poire Williams pear eau-de-vie at an outdoor café, or an extra old snifter glass of Cognac in a candlelit room, brandy is classic and fit for any occasion.

Advanced Brandy Knowledge is a course that will increase your knowledge of, and confidence talking about brandy. This course will cover:

• The history of brandy in Europe and America
• The four families of brandy including grape, apple & pear, stone fruit, and berry brandies
• How brandy is made
• How to read a brandy label
• The most famous styles of brandy
• The origin of a selection of brandy brands.

Let's get to know the most luxurious of all spirit categories, brandy!

View course details

Cognac is a type of brandy exclusively made in the Cognac region of France. It's one of the most prestigious and sought-after spirits in the world. Aged in oak barrels, this smooth drink has stringent production regulations, rarely replicated outside the region.

There are several types of cognac - VSOP, XO and Extra - that are each more exclusive than the last.

This course will give you all the information you need to speak about Cognac with confidence, and take your knowledge to the next level. The Advanced Cognac Knowledge course covers:

• The origin of Cognac and the history of Cognac houses
• How Cognac is made
• The roles of master blender, cellar master, and master distiller
• Grades of Cognac, including VS, VSOP, XO, and XXO
• The six Cognac growing regions (crus)
• Common labelling terms on a Cognac bottle
• Tips for serving and enjoying Cognac.

"The great thing about making Cognac is that it teaches you, above everything else, to wait. Man proposes, but time and God and the seasons have got to be on your side."

– Jean Monnet, French politician

View course details

A liqueur is a distilled spirit, flavoured with various natural or unnatural ingredients like herbs, fruits, spices, sugars, or nuts. This course will provide you with an overview of the main types of liqueurs you'll encounter at the bar and offers you the tools you need to use them wisely.

Course topics include:

• The origin of liqueurs
• How liqueurs are made
• The styles of herbal liqueurs and the most common botanicals used to make them
• The styles of single-flavour liqueurs, including those made with fruit, nuts, seeds, pods and dairy
• Applications for liqueurs, including how to use them in cocktails.

View course details