From cane to glass

Follow rum from sugarcane and molasses through fermentation, pot and column distillation, tropical ageing and blending, and learn what each step does to the flavour.

Read any rum label

Understand the English, Spanish and French heritage styles, age statements, Geographical Indications and the Authentic Caribbean Rum (ACR) Marque.

Taste, mix and pair

Use a professional four-step tasting method with nine benchmark styles, then master six classic rum cocktails and the rules of rum and food pairing.

About the course

Rum is the world’s most diverse spirit. It is made from sugarcane in dozens of countries, from fresh cane juice or molasses, in pot and column stills, and bottled unaged or aged for decades. Certified Rum Explorer™ gives you a clear, practical foundation in 3–4 hours, at your own pace. Each of the nine modules has a short video with subtitles, slides and lesson notes, followed by a quiz. Your downloadable workbook includes the full notes, a tasting grid and nine tasting sheets for a guided tasting at home. Pass the final exam to receive your Certified Rum Explorer™ certificate. Ideal for rum lovers, hospitality and bar teams, and anyone starting their spirits education. Please enjoy rum responsibly; learners must be of legal drinking age.

Your instructor: Christian Esser

Christian Esser is the founder of the Academy of Wine & Spirits in the Cayman Islands and the creator of the Rum Ambassador brand. For more than a decade he has trained hospitality professionals and enthusiasts in wine, spirits and service. In 2026 the Academy was named Best Luxury Beverage Education Provider and won the Hospitality Training Excellence Award (Caribbean & USA) at the LUXlife Hospitality Awards. His goal is simple: to make learning about drinks clear, practical and fun.

Curriculum

11 Chapters · 44 Lessons

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Video: Welcome to Certified Rum Explorer™

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome & how this course works

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome slides (PDF)

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Your course workbook (download)

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Video: Where Rum Is Made

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 slides (PDF)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson notes: Where Rum Is Made

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: Where Rum Is Made

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Video: Worth the Wait – A History of Rum

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 slides (PDF)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson notes: Worth the Wait: A History of Rum

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: Worth the Wait: A History of Rum

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Video: How Rum Is Made

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 slides (PDF)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson notes: How Rum Is Made

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: How Rum Is Made

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Video: Rum Styles & Labels

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 slides (PDF)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson notes: Rum Styles & Labels

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: Rum Styles & Labels

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Video: The ACR Marque & Rum Regulations

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 5 slides (PDF)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson notes: The ACR Marque & Rum Regulations

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: The ACR Marque & Rum Regulations

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Video: Distilleries

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 6 slides (PDF)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson notes: Distilleries

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: Distilleries

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Video: How to Taste Rum

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 7 slides (PDF)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson notes: How to Taste Rum

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: How to Taste Rum

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Video: Serving & Cocktails

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 8 slides (PDF)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson notes: Serving & Cocktails

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: Serving & Cocktails

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Video: Food Pairing

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 9 slides (PDF)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson notes: Food Pairing

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: Food Pairing

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Video: Final Review & Certification

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Review slides (PDF)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Final review

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Final exam

Start your rum journey today

Enrol now and become a Certified Rum Explorer™. Study online at your own pace, keep your workbook, and earn your certificate when you pass the final exam.

$95.00

Enroll now