A back bar with the AWS bar zones: top shelf, back bar, speed rail and the eight families

The back bar by category

From the speed rail to the top shelf: the eight spirit families, what each is made from, and a one-line story for every bottle that you can share with a guest.

Christian Esser with a nosing glass and the AWS tasting and guest-language steps

Taste and describe

Taste six spirits with the AWS method (Look, Nose, Palate, Conclude), then turn your notes into friendly guest language with What · Taste · Serve.

AWS house specs for the Daiquiri, Margarita, Old Fashioned and Negroni

Classics, measured

The core classic cocktails and highballs with AWS house specs, the right technique, glass and garnish, plus how to recommend, trade up and serve responsibly.

What you'll learn

✓ How a bar is organised: well, call, premium and top shelf, and the eight spirit families ✓ How each spirit is made, explained in plain words a server can repeat to a guest ✓ Key styles and labels: ABV and proof, age statements, VS/VSOP/XO, blanco/reposado/añejo, single malt, bourbon and London dry ✓ How to taste spirits professionally and describe them to guests in two or three inviting words ✓ The core classic cocktails and highballs with standard measures, glassware and garnish ✓ How to recommend and upsell naturally, and serve responsibly: pour control, recognising intoxication and refusing service politely

Who it's for

Bartenders, barbacks, servers, sommeliers, hosts, banquet and hotel staff, and anyone new to hospitality who wants to answer guests' spirits questions with confidence. No experience needed. Managers: it's a ready-made spirits module for your team training, with group rates available. No jargon, no snobbery: just Liquid Lively Fun – One Glass at a Time™. You must be of legal drinking age (18+ or the legal age where you live) to take part in the tastings.

The back-bar cheat sheet, tasting note card, shopping list and the First Pour badge

What's included

8 videos and 17 reading lessons

Short videos with Christian Esser and practical lesson notes, about 3–4 hours in total, at your own pace, with a "Try it" activity in every lesson.

3 printable guides

A back-bar cheat sheet (the eight families, label words, core cocktail specs and responsible-service steps), the AWS Spirits Tasting Note Card and a six-sample shopping list.

Final exam and AWS certificate

Six practice knowledge checks, then a 30-question final exam (70% to pass, two attempts). Pass it to receive your AWS Intro to Spirits – First Pour™ Hospitality Tailored certificate. Accredited by the UK CPD Certification Service.

Your instructor: Christian Esser

Christian Esser is the founder and Director of Education of the Academy of Wine & Spirits in the Cayman Islands, and a Wine & Spirits Educator with more than 20 years of teaching across the Caribbean, North and South America. He is an official educator for Cognac (BNIC) and Armagnac (BNIA), launched The Rum Ambassador programme with WIRSPA, holds a viticulture degree from Lincoln University in New Zealand and was Wine Director at the Grand Old House in Grand Cayman. In 2026 the Academy won two LUXlife Hospitality Awards: Best Luxury Beverage Education Provider and the Hospitality Training Excellence Award (Caribbean & USA). His goal is simple: to make wine and spirits clear, practical and fun.

Curriculum

9 Chapters · 25 Lessons

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to First Pour™ Hospitality Tailored

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      How a back bar is organised

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      The eight families and their raw materials

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Fermentation and distillation in plain English

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Pot stills, column stills and the barrel

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      One-line stories for every family

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Clear spirits: vodka, gin, white rum, blanco tequila and mezcal

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Aged spirits: rum, whisky, brandy and aged tequila

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading a spirit label

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      The AWS tasting method at work

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Your six-sample flight

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Guest language: describing spirits

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Measures, tools and techniques

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      The core classics with specs

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Glassware and garnish

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 5 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Recommending and upselling

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Responsible service

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 6 knowledge check

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Final exam

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Congratulations and next steps

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take? About 3–4 hours in total. Study at your own pace, on any device, and pause whenever you like. Do I need to buy spirits? The tastings work best with six small samples: a London dry gin, a 100% agave blanco tequila, an aged Caribbean rum, a bourbon, a VSOP Cognac and a smoky single malt Scotch. Miniatures are perfect, or taste from your bar's stock with your manager's permission. You can still complete the course without them. Do I need any experience? No. AWS Spirits Explorer™ is a friendly warm-up if you'd like one, but it isn't required. Is there an age requirement? Yes. You must be 18 or older, or of legal drinking age where you live, to take part in the tastings. We taste tiny amounts and spit. Please drink responsibly. Do I get a certificate? Yes. Score 70% or more on the 30-question final exam to receive your certificate. You have two attempts. Can I train my whole team? Yes. Groups of 5 or more save 10%. Contact us at academyofwineandspirits.org or +1 (345) 938 0458. What's next? Continue with AWS Level 1 in Spirits – Certified Spirits Enthusiast™.

Step behind the bar with confidence

3–4 hours, 8 video lessons, a back-bar cheat sheet, a tasting note card and your AWS certificate. Spirits made clear, practical and fun.

$95.00

Enrol now – US$95