Description
WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits
The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits is an intermediate-level qualification exploring spirits and aromatized wines for those working in the industry or spirits enthusiasts. This qualification is intended for beginners wishing to learn about a wide range of spirits or those seeking to build on the introductory knowledge gained with the WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits.
If you are a waiter, bartender, or a sommelier, you’ll be able to explore key practices and principles of serving spirits and the uses of spirits in cocktails, while learning about the fundamental production methods, principal raw materials, and the discovery of how these components are used to create key spirit styles.
In preparation for your upcoming course, please review the specification provided.
To see if this course is right for you, take the Level 2 Award in Spirits assessment quiz here.
This course provides a textbook, tasting samples, and the exam. Upon successful completion you will receive a digital WSET certificate and badge, and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo.
Note: There is a minimum requirement of 5 students for this class to take place. If the minimum is not met, the course will be cancelled. If you have any questions about our courses, please contact us at info@sakeschoolofamerica.com
Course Schedule
Thursday, October 22nd, 2026
- In-Person lecture: 9:00 am – 4:00 PM UTC-3
Friday, October 23rd, 2026
- In-Person lecture: 9:00 am – 4:00 PM UTC-3
Saturday, October 24th, 2026
- In-Person lecture: 9:00 am – 1:00 PM UTC-3
Course Location
In-Person Class
University Cuyo
Padre Jorge Contreras 1300, M5500 Mendoza, Argentina
Exam Schedule & Details
IN-PERSON Exam:
Saturday, October 24th, 2026
- In-person Exam: 2:00pm – 3:00pm Local time
Your exam will be assessed by a closed-book exam of 50 multiple-choice questions, to be completed in 60 minutes or one hour.
All exams will be distributed in-person at the location. Please make sure to arrive at least 10 minutes early for checking-in.
The grading scale will be as follows:
- Pass: 55% – 69%
- Pass with Merit: 70% – 84%
- Pass with Distinction: 85% or more
Exam Retake:
If you need to retake the exam, the retake fee will be $70.00. To schedule, please email info@sakeschoolofamerica.com
What’s Covered
- How to taste and describe spirits using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits ® (SAT)
- The techniques used during the four stages of spirits production: processing the raw material, alcoholic fermentation; distillation; and post-distillation operations
- How techniques used during the four stages of production determine the style of a spirit
- How aromatized wines are made
- How a balanced cocktail is made and examples in four notable cocktail families (the spirit-forward, the short sour, the highball and the long sour)
- How local production traditions, coupled with local laws, are used to create different styles of spirits in the following categories:
- fruit spirits
- whisky/whiskey
- sugar cane spirits
- Tequila and Mezcal
- vodka
- Flavored spirits (spiced rum, flavored vodka, gin, aniseed spirits, bitter spirits/amaro, cocktail bitters, liqueurs)
Prerequisites
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Important Notice
- Participants must be 18 years of age or older to enroll and take the exam.
- Registration will close when the course reaches capacity, or the enrollment deadline (August 27th, 2026) has passed. Late registrations may be subject to additional textbook rush-shipping fees.
Refunds / Cancellation Policy
- If a student cancels before tasting samples are shipped, a full refund will be issued.
- Cancellations made after samples have shipped are non-refundable; however, the course fee may be applied to a future class.
Instructor: Toshio Ueno
Toshio holds numerous certifications across sake, wine, and spirits, including:
- Vice President & Co-Founder, Sake School of America
- Master Sake Sommelier, Sake Service Institute
- Master of Sake, Sake Service Institute
- 2016 Sake Samurai, Japan Sake Brewer’s Association
- DipWSET, Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma
- Certified Shochu Meister, Kagoshima University
- Certified Sake Educator Level 3, Wine & Spirit Education Trust
- Certified Spirits Educator Level 3, Wine & Spirit Education Trust
- Certified Armagnac Educator, BNIA Academy
- Beer Adviser, Food & Beverage Organization Japan
- Nanbu Toji Guild, Toji Candidate, Accredited Specialist,
- 2020 Awamori Jinbner, Okinawa Distillers Association,
- 2021 Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry
- 2022 Yamanashi Ambassador, Yamanashi Prefectural Government
- 2023 Foreign Minister’s Commendation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- 2025 Gin Rectifier, The Gin Guild
Member: Circle of Wine Writers, Association of Wine Educators
Born in Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan where his family has grown wine grapes for generations, Toshio Ueno grew up helping the business from a young age. After college studies in America, he joined a pastry and wine company, where he was put in charge, overseeing the personal wine collection of the company’s president. It was at this point when intrigue set in for him to enter the world of wine stewardship and research.
Toshio Ueno is currently Director of Sake Specialist Department in marketing Japanese liquor to the mainstream American market. With his unique knowledge and expertise in both eastern and western liquors, Jizake and Shochu of the east, and wine and beer from the west, he aims to further promote Japanese food and liquor cultures to new, international audiences.
