the council of whiskey masters Courses

Curriculum for the Certified Scotch Professional™ (CSP) Program

Scheduling & Taking the Exam

Once you are ready to take the 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

Exam results will reach you via email within two days of taking the exam. The exam consists of 100 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 exam within 2 years of enrolling for that level.

Receiving the Diploma & Pin

Upon passing the exam, you will receive your printed diploma via mail, on high-quality stationery suitable for framing. You will also receive a beautiful copper lapel pin to wear proudly at any occasion.

    Physical copies of the diploma and the lapel pin are shipped globally from our office in Los Angeles, California. Digital versions are sent in advance via email, together with the exam results.

    Many successful candidates take a next step and enroll in one of our other exams, building an impressive portfolio of tasting expertise that can shape their careers and enhance their personal enjoyment. Take your first step toward certification today!

Representative Sample Questions

Question 1: Order the following distilleries by their traditional use of peat, from lightest to heaviest: (1) Lagavulin (2) Talisker (3) Laphroaig (4) Glenmorangie.

A. 1, 3, 4, 2
B. 4, 2, 1, 3
C. 3, 2, 4, 1
D. 2, 4, 3, 1

Question 2: Which of the following is not a desirable contribution from oak to Scotch aging?

A. Introduction of sulfur
B. Evaporation
C. Coloration
D. Imparting of flavor

Question 3: Which of the following is not a step in the malting process?

A. Kilning
B. Germinating
C. Tunning
D. Steeping

Question 4: Which of these terms refers to the 40 gallon size container traditionally used?

A. Barrel
B. Puncheon
C. Hogshead
D. Octave

Question 5: Which selection is accurate about the relationship between first and second distillation?

A. Some leading distilleries omit the second distillation for their main bottling.
B. The second distillation begins when the alcohol from the first distillation is at 5% or more.
C. The second stage further concentrates and purifies the spirit.
D. Only the second distillation uses worm tubs.

Curriculum for the Certified Bourbon Professional™ (CBP) Program

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 $1100

Curriculum for the Certified Spirits Judge™ (CSJ) Program

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 $1100; 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 $290, and $320 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 100 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 Eam 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. 75/100 points 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?

Our dedicated office team of spirits specialists can help!

Representative Exam Sample Questions

Part 1: Theory Exam

…5 multiple-choice sample questions coming here soon

Part 2: Practical Exam

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