Enter the fascinating world of professional spirits evaluation:
Become a CERTIFIED SPIRITS JUDGE.
Obtain the unique skills of global spirits critics and competition panelists.
THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS has launched a new professional education and certification program dedicated to spirits judging, consisting of a theory exam, based on a dedicated study guide, and a practical exam where candidates demonstrate effective judging ability.
THE TASTING ALLIANCE —the organization behind the largest most respected spirits competitions in the world, including the San Francisco World Spirits Competition— and the INTERNATIONAL WHISKY COMPETITION® —the most prestigious and followed whisky-only competition in the world— have committed that they will adopt this new program.
The CERTIFIED SPIRITS JUDGE (CSJ) credentialing program is open to candidates globally, and all parts of the certification process can be performed remotely. The curriculum is delivered in a 70-page pdf book format to all candidates and covers all topics relevant to active spirits judging: Production methods and expressions of all major spirit types, systematic tasting methods, detailed competition process and evaluation protocol, as well as key ethics issues in judging. Once candidates feel prepared, they take a 100-question exam online to earn the certification, a score of at least 75 is required to achieve a passing level on the theory exam. A practical exam covers blind tasting of 3 different spirits. The enrollment fees are $675.
Program Benefits & Features
Earning the Certified Spirits Judge™ designation gives the right to carry the title and use its postnominals, “CSJ”. Upon passing the exam, candidates receive a graduation diploma and lapel pin.
Successful candidates enjoy a deep understanding of the spirits judging and competition process, the fundamentals of all classical spirits, and they will encounter a wide range of career opportunities.
Becoming a CSJ requires the passing of 2 exams:
Part 1: 1-hour Theory Exam, based on 100 multiple-choice questions, drawn from our Study Guide.
Part 2: 1-hour Practical Exam, based on a written blind evaluation of 3 spirits, in competition format.
The CSJ program is completed 100% in remote format, removing all barriers for candidates around the globe. Studies and examination are supported by our competent office team in Los Angeles, California.
Become a Certified Spirits Judge by joining our study & certification program today!
Curriculum for the Certified Spirits Judge™ (CSJ) Program
The World of Spirits Judging
Today's World of Spirits
Spirits Judging and Competitions
Spirits Judging in Practice
How Competitions Operate
Judging Protocol
Ethics of Spirits Judging
Systematic Evaluation
Tasting Analytically
Writing Tasting Descriptions
Understanding Flaws
Objective Beverage Evaluation
Quality: Complexity and Balance
The official CSJ study guide supports all parts of the curriculum, and includes detailed training interviews with 10 of the world’s leading spirits judges.
Spirits Production
Principles of Distillation
Barrel Maturation
Spirits of the World
Whisk(e)y
Tequila, Mezcal, Sotol
Rum, Arrack, Cachaca
Gin, Genever
Vodka
Brandy
Liqueurs, Aperitifs, Amari, Bitters
Absinthe
Spirits made from other plants
Enrollment Requirements & Process
The Certified Spirits Judge (CSJ) program covers a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum. There are no prior knowledge requirements to enroll in the program, the Council will build up candidate competence from where they are.
The exam consists of 2 parts, a theoretical and practical exam:
Part 1 (Theory) builds and tests theory knowledge, based on our study text.
Part 2 (Practical) tests practical blind tasting and spirits evaluation skills.
Both parts are conducted remotely, at the preferred location of the candidate.
Spirits aficionados will find the program demanding but achievable without prior knowledge, and experienced professionals will find the depth and relevance of the curriculum demanding and satisfying.
Enrollment in the CSJ study program costs $675; these fees are not refundable. This fee includes all written study materials, the 2 remote examinations, plus diploma and lapel pin upon passing. Candidates will incur moderate additional costs for the 3 exam spirits, and any advance practice.
The exam is challenging, but fair: ~72% of the candidates pass on first attempt. The retake fee for Part 1 is $180, and $200 for Part 2.
Receiving & Reading the Study Guide
What happens after you enroll? You will get a confirmation email from us swiftly, usually within a few hours of signing up. It will include a link to the Council’s Study Guide, called “Systematic Spirits Appreciation | Study Guide to the CSJ Program”, and more information.
Our Study Guide is structured to support the study curriculum outlined above; all exam questions will be exactly based on this document. The expected study and preparation time for this exam is between 60 and 90 hours, depending on prior experience.
Candidates first review the Study Guide, and then schedule the Theory exam conveniently on our exam calendar page. There are multiple open exam slots in each month. The Practical exam can be scheduled after first passing the Theory section.
Scheduling & Taking the Exam
Once you are ready to take the Theory exam, you may select and self-schedule a time slot on our website. Exams are offered several times each month on Fridays and Saturdays, with convenient time slots available for all global time zones. A calendar invitation with all important details will be emailed to you immediately upon scheduling
Theory Exam results will reach you via email swiftly after taking the exam. The exam consists of 50-80 multiple-choice questions, and it takes up to 60 minutes to complete. You must correctly answer at least 75% of the questions to pass the exam.
Exam protocol:
The exam may be taken online, in a browser window, using a laptop or desktop computer. The exam is entered through a link sent by the Council on exam day.
Candidates may be located anywhere in the world, but reliable internet and phone connections are required. Anti-cheating methods are in place and are enforced.
No study materials or other persons are permitted in the room during an exam.
Candidates receive an email with the exam link a few hours in advance of the scheduled appointment time.
Note that the Council enrollment may expire if a candidate neither takes nor schedules the Theory Exam within 2 years of enrolling for that level.
Once a candidate has passed the Theory Exam, the Practical Exam can be scheduled. Three different spirits will be blind-tasted by the candidate, at a location of their choice. The Council office will share details on the blind tasting protocol directly with each candidate.
Receiving the Diploma & Pin
Your theory exam results will be emailed within 24 hours of taking the exam.
If you don’t reach a passing score, we will inform you of the score reached. 75% correct answers are necessary to pass.
If you do pass the exam, you will receive high-quality digital versions of your diploma and lapel pin, included in your exam result email.
Your beautiful black nickel lap pin will also be shipped to you physically, you can wear it at all spirits-related occasions. We ship globally from our office in Los Angeles, California.
Upon your request and without extra cost, we can also send your printed diploma via mail, on high-quality stationery suitable for framing.
Many successful candidates take a next step and enroll in one of our other certification programs, building an outstanding range of documented spirits expertise that can shape their careers and enhance their personal enjoyment.
Sign up to become a Certified Spirits Judge today!
Do you wish to discuss this certification program with us, and get all questions answered?
Write to office@WhiskeyMasters.org
Our dedicated office team of spirits specialists can help!
Exam Details
Part 1: Theory Exam Structure
The theory exam contains 50-80 multiple-choice questions, covering all parts of the curriculum. Choose a best answer out of 4.
Part 2: Practical Exam Structure
A. Provide detailed tasting notes for spirit samples 1, 2, 3
B. Provide comments on the overall flavor style
C. Provide an overall score on the 100 scale for each spirit
D. Support your overall score with separate notes and sub-scores for complexity, balance, and expressiveness
E. Suggest a retail price per bottle for each of the spirits
F. Provide an age and ABV estimate
Spirits Competitions | A Global Overview
Here is a list of 50 whiskey and spirits competitions held worldwide where the skills of Certified Spirits Judge become very relevant:
San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) - San Francisco, USA
International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) - London, UK
World Whiskies Awards - Global, organized by Whisky Magazine
New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC) - New York, USA
International Spirits Challenge (ISC) - London, UK
Global Spirits Masters - London, UK
Ultimate Spirits Challenge - New York, USA
International Whisky Competition (IWC) - Various Locations
Whisky Advocate’s WhiskyFest - Various Locations, USA
American Distilling Institute Craft Spirits Awards - USA
Berlin International Spirits Competition - Berlin, Germany
London Spirits Competition - London, UK
Australian Distilled Spirits Awards - Melbourne, Australia
Canadian Whisky Awards - Victoria, Canada
Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair - Hong Kong, China
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles Spirits Selection - Various Locations
World Drinks Awards - Global
Los Angeles International Spirits Competition - Los Angeles, USA
The Asian Spirits Masters - Hong Kong, China
World Beverage Competition - Geneva, Switzerland
Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC) - Tokyo, Japan
China Wine & Spirits Awards (CWSA) - Hong Kong, China
SIP Awards - Newport Beach, USA
Australian International Spirits Competition - Sydney, Australia
Scottish Field Whisky Challenge - Edinburgh, Scotland
Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky - Global
The Irish Whiskey Awards - Dublin, Ireland
American Spirits Council of Tasters (ASCOT) Awards - USA
Great American International Spirits Competition - Rochester, USA
Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards - South Africa
Whiskies of the World Awards - USA
Asia International Spirits Competition - Various Locations, Asia
Australian Spirits & Liqueur Awards - Melbourne, Australia
International Beverage Exposition and Competition (IBEC) - Guangzhou, China
International Sugarcane Spirits Awards - Paris, France
Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards - London, UK
Barcelona International Spirits Competition - Barcelona, Spain
CASC Spirits & Mixers Awards - Toronto, Canada
Spirits Business Awards - London, UK
China International Alcoholic Beverage Expo (CIAE) - Guiyang, China
CWSA Best Value - Hong Kong, China
Chicago Independent Spirits Awards (CISA) - Chicago, USA
International Whisky Experience Awards - Global
International Taste Institute Spirits Awards - Brussels, Belgium
London Spirits Competition - London, UK
Nordic Spirits Awards - Copenhagen, Denmark
Spirits of Mexico Competition - San Diego, USA
The Spirits Business Tequila & Mezcal Masters - London, UK
The Spirits Business Vodka Masters - London, UK
Whisky Live - Various Locations, Global
These competitions provide an opportunity for a Certified Spirits Judge to apply their expertise.