Courses

Spirit Sensory Analysis Course

Discover how to implement an effective sensory analysis programme that can improve your process and products. 

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As we transition to becoming the Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers (CIBD) on 1st January 2025 with a new website, you will not be able to book any courses or qualifications between 1st January and 5th January 2025. If you have already booked a qualification or a short course with us, you will continue to have access to the learning material on Moodle.

Click here for more on the transition.

The Spirit Sensory Analysis course gives you the tools and skills required to run a range of sensory tests. And the ability to use the test results to improve your process and your products.

This course reinforces our continuing professional development pathway and it has been designed in collaboration with leading sensory scientists and distilling professionals.

It will transform distillers and quality professionals into sensory experts able to run an effective sensory panel.

The Spirit Sensory Analysis course will benefit experienced commercial distilleries from distilleries of all sizes as well as quality professionals. 

The course features text, videos and animations, along with quizzes and games that give you the opportunity to check your understanding of each section and extend your learning.

Your learning is assessed as you go through the course and when finished, you will receive a Certificate of Completion as a record of continuing professional development.

You will have access to downloadable technical information including:

  • Spirit flavour terminology systems and flavour wheels
  • Flavour thresholds and descriptors for over 300 key spirit flavour compounds
  • Flavour standard specifications
  • Tasting forms for more than 10 sensory tests
  • The statistical tables, equations and calculations that enable you to interpret your test results
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Learning Time: Approximately 5 hours

90 days full access to unique interactive content from date of enrolment

Price: Just £99

 

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With the Course You Will:

  • Gain a detailed understanding of spirit flavour
  • Learn the flavour thresholds of over 300 key spirit flavour compounds
  • Understand the requirements of a sensory facility and how to achieve them without spending too much
  • Discover the sources of bias and error in sensory assessment
  • Learn how to select and train an elite sensory panel
  • Discover how to prepare and present spirit samples
  • Become proficient in running sensory tests
  • Learn how to process the data and interpret the results from sensory tests
  • Be able to select the sensory test that will give you the information you need to make the best spirits possible

Key Features

  • Learn at your own pace, when and where it is most convenient for you
  • Have access to the course material for 90 days from the date of enrolment
  • Learn with a rich blend of engaging text, illustrations and videos
  • Download PDF with the tools you need to implement an effective sensory programme in your brewery
  • Check your understanding at the end of each lesson
  • Receive a Certificate of Completion from the most recognised brewing learning provider in the world

What previous candidates are saying?

I took the Diploma in Distilling exam last year and I also work with spirit flavour analysis more chemically. I found out why not attend this short course as well. It is really intriguing that the sensory analysis has so many approaches. I learned a great deal of how to set up a sensory test, and train a sensory panel in a more scientific way.
Division of Microbiology, Brewing and Biotechnology
University of Nottingham
I have been working on building my own skills at sensory analysis and find the subject very interesting. I enjoyed the section with the information on assessor training and the different compounds to do so. I’ll be using this on myself to improve and one day plan to implement it at my own distillery. This was a great addition to my initial education!
Whiskey Educator
Proximo Spirits
I enjoyed the interactive elements of the course. The way this course was structured and broken down into specific lessons with learning intentions and interactive quizzes made it easier for me to assess how well I grasped the concepts covered in each section. Since I do not have a background in statistics or mathematics beyond school level, some of the content was fairly challenging, but the use of narrated videos really helped to clarify many aspects.
Warehouse Operator
Ben Nevis Distillery
I am responsible for quality management and technical development at a whiskey distillery. I set up tasting sessions as part of my job. I wanted to improve my methods and ensure that I'm using the best practices. This course had a highest density of useful information. I loved that it's so practical, yet it also gives a solid explanation of theory. I feel well equipped to apply what I learned toward improving our sensory program.
Distiller & Quality Manager
Westward Whiskey

Who is this Course For?

  • Commercial distillers wanting to ensure that the sensory analysis in their distilleries can deliver the results they need
  • Spirit quality professionals tasked with undertaking effective sensory analysis
  • Anyone with a serious interest in spirit sensory assessment

Why choose the IBD?

The IBD provides the most widely recognised professional beverage qualifications in the world.

The IBD was established in 1886 as The Laboratory Club and since then has built a trusted reputation due to the quality of its learning material, support for learners and rigor of its exams. 

Since we began professional qualifications in the 1950s, we have qualified over 100,000 brewers and distillers across the globe.