World-Spirits Academy - Dates for 2024 to 2025

Basic-Class 2024

23 to 24 June 2024
Sunday until Monday

Subject to change!

Content
1st day:
“The orchard – fruit, scent and aroma analysis“
Definition of (fruit/aroma) type, description, recognition of aromas and classification and evaluation according to the WOB system

2nd day:
“Sensory perception of flaws in spirits“
Product recognition, identification and classification of (inherent) flaws, WOB evaluation and basic check

Master-Class 2024

25 June - Tuesday: “100-%-destillates" ...- without added alcohols and/or addition of sugar as well as/or aromas
26 June - Wednesday: “Grappa, Trester, Marc, Pisco“

28 June - Friday: “Rum varieties of the world“
29 June - Saturday: „Analytical follow-up tasting“ – World-Spirits 2024 Part 1 (tasting of all categories)
30 June - Sunday: “Analytical follow-up tasting“ – World-Spirits 2024 Part 2 (tasting of all categories)

Basic-Class 2025

22 to 23 June 2025
Sunday until Monday

Content
1st day:
“The orchard – fruit, scent and aroma analysis“
Definition of (fruit/aroma) type, description, recognition of aromas and classification and evaluation according to the WOB system

2nd day:
“Sensory perception of flaws in spirits“
Product recognition, identification and classification of (inherent) flaws, WOB evaluation and basic check

Master-Class 2025

24 June - Tuesday: „Herbal Liqueurs, Bitters & Liqueurs“
25 June - Wednesday: „Armagnac, Cognac, Brandy de Jerez and other brandies“

27 June - Friday: „in, Genever, Vodka, corn schnapps & various other grain-based spirits“
28 June - Saturday: „Analytical follow-up tasting“ – World-Spirits 2025 Part 1 (tasting of all categories)
29 June - Sunday: “Analytical follow-up tasting“ – World-Spirits 2025 Part 2 (tasting of all categories)

All classes for Master of World-Spirits

“100-%-destillates“ ...- without added alcohols and/or addition of sugar as well as/or aromas
“Fruit spirits & brandies“ (blended products from fruit, wine, wild fruits and berries, grain ...- with added alcohols and/or addition of sugar as well as/or aromas)
“Herbal/ Radical spirits & Exotics and various spirits“ (Ouzo, Pastis, Absinthe, Sake, Gentian, Masterwort, Caraway...)

“Herbal Liqueurs, Bitters & Liqueurs“
“Calvados, Tequila & Co“
“Grappa, Pomace, Marc, Pisco“

“Gin, Genever, Vodka, corn schnapps & various other grain-based spirits“
“Armagnac, Cognac, Brandy de Jerez and other brandies"
“Rum varieties of the world & Cachaca“
“Whisk(e)y varieties of the world“

“Analytical follow-up tasting“ – World-Spirits Part 1“ (tasting of all categories)
“Analytical follow-up tasting“ – World-Spirits Part 2“ (tasting of all categories)

The route to becoming a "World-Spirits taster" is long - and during training there are many challenges to be overcome. But only a perfectly trained jury, together with smoothly functioning procedures, can judge spirits as impartially as possible. In the case of "World-Spirits", it is not the name or reputation, but only the sensory abilities of the jurors and the responsibility to producers which are ensuring that a respected and comprehensible judgement of their products is handed down. The WOB rating system, developed especially for spirits, guarantees that this is taking place. Furthermore, "World-Spirits" is the only private organization which undertakes the classification of distilleries. Therefore, the results must be absolutely understandable for the submitting distilleries. Wolfram Ortner, with his personal commitment and sound WOB rating system, stands for care and reliability in the system's implementation.

Master-Classe 2024

Objective and content
The sensory handling of spirits, recognising and evaluating the wide variety of spirits

Requirements
This programme is an advanced training for connoisseurs who already have solid knowledge of spirits– good sensory experience and knowledge are the pre-requisites! In order to participate in the Master-Class, the Basic-Class must be prior completed.

Personal benefits
Being able to find your way in the world of spirits, evaluate products professionally, define the quality of a product, identify flaws, learning to recognize top quality, and the possibility of being included in the World-Spirits jury team.

The World Spirits Academy’s Basic Classes are designed to prepare newcomers to spirits for the Master Class and the Master of World Spirits Award. Wolfram Ortner has developed a detailed system that will leave you with a sense of smell and taste that are playfully honed to perfection. Participants will discover fruits and their aromas, and they will also learn to detect flaws in spirits. The classification of standard samples helps to retain the efficiency of the exercises and the results.

Awaken your senses to spirits:
Basic Class of World Spirits

Objective
Sensory handling of spirits for beginners, recognising, evaluating and describing the wide variety of spirits, recognising flaws, identifying aromas, evaluating using the WOB system, completing a basic check test.