Hi everyone. I am just starting my diploma study at London Wset School and the Spirits exam is one of the first ones to take in a month. I am quite desperately looking for a trustworthy online source for some brief information on numerous spirits’ brands and companies who owe them with no advertisings if possible. I am perfectly novice to spirits’ world and my level 3 is in wines only. Shouldn’t I even dare to think of finding such a marvelous source of information similar to Jancis’ wine site ? I am afraid I really don’t have time, nor any particular interest of reading the masses of business reports of hundreds pages long. Any advice maybe ? Thank you in advance.
Hi Irina. I just did my Unit 4. Not many shortcuts I’m afraid. There are a few websites like Diffords Guide which can provide some useful intros to topics and brands but beyond the (very good) textbook they provide I found various books on the main spirits very handy (e.g. Dave Broom’s Rum, Whisky and Gin books - they deal with brands as well as general theory). Plus the various periodicals like The Spirits Business, Just Drinks, Harpers and Imbibe. And the various official industry/company websites.
Like you (I sense), I rather dreaded Unit 4. I don’t really drink spirits and it wasn’t why I had signed up. But eventually you just have to dive in and I guarantee you will fall in love with some aspect of it (rum, for me, which became the subject of my Unit 1 dissertation and something of an obsession). Also, it is well taught at the school (better than some of the wine elements, oddly). I had Hannah Lanfear for spirits who was really great, and I attended a revision class with Nick King who was also awesome in a very different way. Sign up for as many of those and other spirits tastings as you can find time and money.
By the way, has anyone told you yet about Drinks by the Dram? Brilliant way to taste lots and lots of different spirits without having to buy big bottles. Gosh, if only the same existed for wine…
Good luck!
Dear Martin. Thank you so much for your reply. I will definitely have a look at the sources you recommend. I will have courses with Hannah Lanfear this month, and also with Russel Dent. I guess you also study at London school. I’ve opted for a continuous block study since I live in Paris. The difficulty is that we will taste all the wines and spirits during the following month (May13-June12) , about 7 or 8 hours a day and will have exams in between. (units 2, 1 and 4 on the same day). I am a bit thrilled. Wish you luck for the following exams. How many did you do already ? Kind regards, I.
Three in one day! That sounds tough.
However, don’t stress about Unit 2. The pass rate is very high. No need to waste precious time with any extra reading (fun as it would be) - just read the textbook carefully. It’s all there.
Am glad you will get Russell Dent - I thought he was great.
What is your Unit 1 topic?
To your question, I have sat all my units except the big one, Unit 3 (still wines), and am awaiting my Unit 1 results. Unit 3 is in June (and explains why I am still on this website at midnight).
By the way in concern of wine tastings, Monday is a holy day in Paris for wine professionals and affectionados too. Trade tastings are always held on Mondays, a wonderful way to start the week. Is there anything similar in London ?
My Unit 1 topic (Case study) is on 12/06, not announced yet but soon. I am at the very beginning. Thank you for advice on Unit 2. For the moment it seems the easiest. I studied oenology in Burgundy. Wish you good luck for the 3 ! the hardest one. Please don’t forget to rest. I.
Hi Irina,
This post has taken me back a couple of years when I sat my diploma exams. Spirits gave me dread then and reading this gives me an adrenaline rush just think back about it. But, I would just say this: learn all of the production methods: it may not interest you but it is an easy way to get marks. And then make a study sheet for at least the top 5-6 spirits companies. One of my exam questions was about production and another about one of the big companies, so despite not being too interested in the subject I found I had a lot of facts to write down. With spirits it is all facts! Who owns who, how much do they produce, sales figures etc.
Best of luck
James
Dear James. Thank you very much for this useful information. Indeed spirits exam is a bit thrilling in terms of a slight lack of interest but I am trying ! and the publicity driven information found on internet. Thank you again ! I.
Hi, Irina:
There is a lady in Canada. Her name is Mrs. Rachel von Sturmer. She has a web site for WSET Diploma exam. I used it for Unit 4 and 3. Very helpful but not free! Just goggle her name and you will find it. I am very happy to pass all the 6 units now. Best regards!
Peter Sui
Dear Peter. Thank you for the useful information and Congratulations !