So you want to be a spirits expert?

Beyond bartending, spirits aficionados have new opportunities to learn how to make, serve and appreciate their favourite drinks.

Distilled wisdom

Niagara College started Canada’s first artisan distilling graduate certificate program and teaching distillery, welcoming its first 16 students last fall.

Behind the bottle

Renowned for its wine education, the WSET offers a new spirits education curriculum available through various Ontario course providers, including Algonquin College and Brock University online. Other pro-coveted credentials include the SWE’s Certified Specialist of Spirits and Pernod-Ricard’s BarSmarts program, both with online selfstudy options.

Mix it up

Dip into Toronto Cocktail Week (October 15 to

20, 2019) seminars, or take a whisky cocktail class at Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery. Ontario’s Smart Serve course (smartserve.ca) will have you pouring like a socially responsible pro.