Spirits Tasting Portfolios
How and Why to Submit Tasting Portfolios
The WSET no longer requires tasting portfolios; however, we recommend that our students hand in tasting notes for us to evaluate at due dates we specify so that they can receive feedback in advance of their exams.
These tasting notes must be done in "neat and legible hand-written English" (as per the WSET Diploma Candidate Assessment Guide, which can be accessed online here). The notes may not be typed. They should be done using the standard WSET Diploma Tasting Note found in the Unit Study Guides.
WSET Diploma Unit 4 Portfolio Categories
These 16 categories of spirits will be among those poured during our Unit 4 classes.
In tasting these spirits you should use the WSET Level 4 Diploma Systematic Approach to Spirit Tasting. This includes the tasting categories that the graders of the Unit 4 tasting exams will be looking for, so you should memorize all categories to optimize your chances of passing the exam.
As per the WSET Candidate Assessment Guide, "Do not taste spirits neat.... To taste properly, dilute one measure of spirit with an equal measure of low mineral content bottled still water such as Evian or Hildon. The water should also be at room temperature. The ideal alcoholic strength for sampling is 20% a.b.v."