WSET Spirits Training Ireland , Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Galway.

Ireland's leading provider of spirits training

WSET Approved Programme Provider

BNIA Armagnac accreditation Trusted by Diageo, Irish Distillers, Teeling & more Live online classes · samples posted

Accreditations

Ireland's leading provider of spirits training — the full WSET Award in Spirits pathway (Levels 1, 2 and 3; Level 3 from 2027) plus BNIA Armagnac.

WSET Approved Programme Provider

We offer all the spirits courses: WSET Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Award in Spirits (Level 3 from 2027) as an official Approved Programme Provider.

BNIA — Certified Armagnac Enthusiast™

Nick Ryan is a BNIA-certified Armagnac Educator. IWSI delivers the Certified Armagnac Enthusiast™ course, endorsed by the Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l’Armagnac.

Choose your course

We offer all the spirits courses: the full WSET Award in Spirits pathway — Levels 1, 2 and 3 (Level 3 from 2027) — plus the BNIA Certified Armagnac Enthusiast™ course. Not sure where to start? Level 1 is a friendly introduction; Level 2 and Level 3 do not require Level 1. All IWSI classes run live online with tasting samples posted to you.

Level 1 Award in Spirits

Earn your WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits

One day · €250 · Live Zoom with samples posted

Book Level 1

Level 2 Award in Spirits

Earn your WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits

Two days · €550 / £475 · Deeper Irish whiskey · Live Zoom

Book Level 2

Certified Armagnac Enthusiast™

Endorsed by BNIA · CPD UK recognised

BNIA-endorsed · €150 · Live online with 7 samples posted

Book Armagnac

WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits Certified badge

Level 3 — Coming 2027

Earn your WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits

Join the interest list — contact us for updates. Not open for booking yet.

Contact us

Trusted by teams at

Ireland's leading provider of spirits training — whiskey, hospitality and drinks professionals who trained with IWSI.

Blacks of Kinsale

Ireland Whiskey Tours

Ireland Craft Beverages

Knappogue Castle

Blacks of Kinsale

Ireland Whiskey Tours

Ireland Craft Beverages

Knappogue Castle

As Featured In

Press and podcasts featuring IWSI and our founder.

Wine & Spirit Education Trust

The Spirits Business International spirits industry publication

Irish whiskey industry publication

Limerick Post Regional newspaper

ThinkBusiness.ie Business and entrepreneurship publication

Whisky-Circle Austrian whisky publication

Whiskey Chats Irish whiskey podcast

WSET educator presenting beside a flipchart in a spirits classroom with wooden barrel ends on a brick wall

Why study with IWSI

Live online spirits training with tasting kits posted — built for Irish whiskey depth and working hospitality teams.

Live Zoom teaching · real-time classes with your educator
Tasting kits posted · samples arrive before class day
Irish whiskey depth · the same WSET Spirits syllabus, with extra context from Ireland’s whiskey culture
Team training · private sessions for hospitality and distributors

See courses

What Our Students and Industry Professionals Say

Hear directly from the professionals who have trained with IWSI and discover how our programmes have shaped their skills, careers and industry experience.

“Nick expertly led the class through the course content, busting some myths and exploring the key information on each spirit category, including production techniques, labelling and typical characteristics. Tasting and evaluating spirits is a big part of the training… A fantastic two days of training which has given me more confidence and knowledge for my role at Clonakilty Distillery and a greater appreciation of the wider spirits family.”

Ewan Paterson
Distillery Visitor Experience Supervisor, Clonakilty Distillery

“Nick is truly passionate about spirits and this was very evident in his approach to teaching this subject. The students enjoyed the classes with Nick and found his style of teaching easy to follow and understand.”

Andrew Langford
Shannon College of Hotel Management

“Excellent course. I would highly recommend it to anyone in the business of buying, selling, producing or just interested in Spirits. Thanks Nick”

Neil Conway
Head Brewer, Waterford Distillery

“Thanks Nick. Interesting and thoroughly enjoyable day. Highly recommended for anyone wishing to develop a breath of understanding of spirit development and taste.”

Eric Flynn
JJ Corry

“Brilliant course! Nick is very informative, easy going, approachable and overall a great teacher! Having come in with a decent spirits knowledge, I honestly learned a lot from this and would recommend to people of all levels who want to learn a bit more about how to taste and discuss the world of spirits.”

Chris Hayes
European Brand Ambassador, Teeling Whiskey Distillery

“Nick expertly led the class through the course content, busting some myths and exploring the key information on each spirit category, including production techniques, labelling and typical characteristics. Tasting and evaluating spirits is a big part of the training… A fantastic two days of training which has given me more confidence and knowledge for my role at Clonakilty Distillery and a greater appreciation of the wider spirits family.”

Ewan Paterson
Distillery Visitor Experience Supervisor, Clonakilty Distillery

“Nick is truly passionate about spirits and this was very evident in his approach to teaching this subject. The students enjoyed the classes with Nick and found his style of teaching easy to follow and understand.”

Andrew Langford
Shannon College of Hotel Management

“Excellent course. I would highly recommend it to anyone in the business of buying, selling, producing or just interested in Spirits. Thanks Nick”

Neil Conway
Head Brewer, Waterford Distillery

“Thanks Nick. Interesting and thoroughly enjoyable day. Highly recommended for anyone wishing to develop a breath of understanding of spirit development and taste.”

Eric Flynn
JJ Corry

“Brilliant course! Nick is very informative, easy going, approachable and overall a great teacher! Having come in with a decent spirits knowledge, I honestly learned a lot from this and would recommend to people of all levels who want to learn a bit more about how to taste and discuss the world of spirits.”

Chris Hayes
European Brand Ambassador, Teeling Whiskey Distillery

The Student Experience at IWSI

Discover what participants have to say about their experience on our WSET Spirits courses, from the learning journey to the knowledge and confidence gained along the way.

Trusted by teams at

Blacks of Kinsale
Ireland Whiskey Tours
Ireland Craft Beverages
Knappogue Castle

WSET educator engaging with students in a bright interactive classroom

Teams & Funding

Private live online sessions for hospitality groups, distributors and brand teams. Training funding may be available for Irish businesses. Ask us about funding options for your team. Ask us about custom dates and group bookings.

Enquire about team training

Spirits you will cover

The full WSET Spirits syllabus — from Irish whiskey to agave, with the same global categories at every level.

Hand holding a Glencairn glass of amber whiskey against a grain field backdrop

Irish whiskey & whisky

Bartender pouring amber spirit from a jigger into a mixing glass at a bar

Rum

Two cocktails toasting including a cucumber highball suited to gin serves

Gin

Student nosing a clear spirit in a tulip tasting glass during class

Vodka

Hand holding a WSET tasting glass of deep amber spirit for colour assessment

Brandy & cognac

Armagnac

Salt-rimmed cocktail overlaid on an aerial view of blue agave fields

Tequila & mezcal

Bartender shaking a cocktail with a finished rocks drink on a marble bar

Liqueurs & aromatised

Frequently asked questions

No. Level 1 suits beginners; Level 2 suits those who want deeper tasting and production knowledge.

Tasting samples are posted to you before the live Zoom class so you can taste along with the educator.

Yes. Irish Whiskey and Spirits Institute is a WSET Approved Programme Provider for the Award in Spirits.

Yes. Private live online sessions are available for bars, hotels and retailers. Training funding may be available for Irish businesses. Ask us about funding options for your team.

The next Level 2 dates are 9–10 Dec 2026. Book via the Level 2 product page.

No. The WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits is a useful introduction, but it is not a prerequisite for Level 2 or Level 3. Choose the level that matches your experience — we can help you decide.