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Level 3 Testable Spirits

The tasting portion of the WSET Level 3 Spirits exam uses these categories represented in this kit. Scotch Whisky (Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Blended Scotch Whisky), American Whiskey (Bourbon, Rye Whiskey), Grape Brandy (Cognac, Armagnac), Caribbean rum, Agave spirits (Tequila, Mezcal), Gin

Bombay Sapphire (S11)

A well known example of London Dry Gin with 10 hand-selected botanicals from exotic locations around the world.

NOTES
Bombay Sapphire opens with a touch of juniper, ripe citrus, and hints of spice in the fragrance. The palate is exceptionally smooth and allows the botanicals to open up one by one and mix in the most lovely way with juniper slightly at the forefront. The finish is bolder but retains the spirit's brightness.

Bacardi Silver (S18)

An example of a Spanish style, aged but charcoal filtered to clear white rum.

NOTES
Before Don Facundo rewrote the script, white rums were harsh, crude and unrefined. In 1862 he created BACARDÍ SUPERIOR following 10 years of dedication to craft the perfect rum. With distinctive vanilla and almond notes which are developed in white oak barrels and shaped through a secret blend of charcoal for a distinctive smoothness.

The Bacardi logo comes from the bat as a symbol of good fortune. Doña Amalia Bacardí spotted fruit bats in the family’s distillery, she insisted it be used as their symbol. Today it remains on the bottle, helping the family survive whatever fate throws at it.

Plantation Barbados 5 yr Rum (S22)

American oak barrels play host to this rum where it ages for three to four years. Next a woody and nutmeg palette is drawn out in Ferrand French oak casks as the rum continues to mature for one to two years. The result is a subtle and tropical Barbadian style rum, excellent for aperitifs or classic cocktails like the Mai Tai.

NOTES
Nose : The opening nosing round is all about baking shop fragrances, but also pipe tobacco, toasted marshmallow; secondary whiffs after further aeration discover bacon fat, black raisin, prune.

Palate : Entry is bittersweet, roasted; midpalate is engagingly toasty, nearly fruity, as in baked orchard fruits, and resiny. Finishes medium long, chocolaty.

Alc./Vol. : 40%
Origin : Barbados
Raw material : Molasses
Fermentation : 3 to 4 days
Distillation : Twin Column and Pot Still
Tropical ageing : 3-4 years in Bourbon casks
Continental ageing : 1-2 years in Ferrand casks
Volatile Substances : 160 g/hL AA
Dosage : 16 g/L
Cane sugar caramel E150a (% vol) : between 0% and 0.1%
Solely to adjust – if needed – the color between different batches.
Color may initially vary according to the type, the age and the size of the ageing casks

A.D. Laws Straight Rye Whiskey (S27)

8,000 feet above sea level, in Colorado's San Luis Valley, the Cody family has been cultivating this low yield, semi-wild rye grain since the 1930s. A terroir-driven, unapologetic whiskey.

NOTES
ROMAS:
Floral and perfumed on the nose with notes of baking spice and orange oil

FLAVORS:
Black tea, sweet mint, salted toffee, orange peel and stewed fig. Finishing with a radiant green peppercorn spice

MASH BILL:
100% heirloom rye

AGED:
3+ years in new 53 gallon charred oak barrels

ALC/VOL:
47.5%

Braastad XO Cognac (S31)

Perfect marriage of some of the best and oldest cognacs from the Grand Champagne and Petite Champagne regions. Dark chocolate in color with a well balanced and harmonic palate, with hints of hazelnut.

NOTES
Fine Champagne designation means at least half the cognac comes from the Fine Champagne region.

Arran 10 yr (S48)

Chosen as a lovely example of a Bourbon barrel aged whisky. First released in 2006, this 10-year whisky is the flagship single malt from Arran located on the namesake island off the southwest coast of the mainland.

NOTES
From Arran Island, with remarkable water from Loch na Davie.

The initial rush of rich vanilla sweetness gives way to a touch of cinnamon which adds a spicy edge to the soft and sweet texture. The classic Arran citrus notes have rounded with age and reveal new depths of character against a background of sweet oak.

Volcan de mi Tierra (S57)

Volcan De Mi Tierra Blanco blends its herbal, citrus, and spicy notes with fruity notes found in cherry and pear. Sweet agave notes with delicate hints of grapefruit and a touch of black pepper spice, resulting in a well finished balance.

NOTES
Volcan de mi Tierra is named after a real volcano that sits in the lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico, "Volcan de Tequila". 200,000 years ago the tequila volcano erupted, shaping the land and topography of the Jalisco region. That eruption covered the area in rich volcanic soil, making the area ideal for the growth of blue agave. The ash of the volcano created a soil rich in basalt and iron, which gives our tequila its particular taste.

Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey (S58)

This whiskey is 5+ years in the making, and the first truly craft-produced Bourbon to be aged in a standard 53 gallon barrel for this length of time. 100% Mashed, Distilled, Aged, and Bottled in Washington State. 72% corn, 22% rye, 6% malted barley

NOTES

Chateau de Laubade Armagnac VSOP (S60)

This VSOP is a blend of various 6-year-old spirits combined to make a fruity, well-balanced Armagnac, with wood hints. The color is medium amber. The oak flavors from the aging in barrels are not overwhelming. This brandy develops gradually fragrances of vanilla, chocolate, nougat and violets. It finishes medium-long, bittersweet, and spicy; solid from top to bottom.

NOTES

Montelobos Espadin Mezcal (S65)

Montelobos Joven is an artisanal Mezcal made in Santiago Matatlán produced with 100% organically certified agave Espadín. This Mezcal is crafted by biologist and distiller Iván Saldaña and mezcalero Don Abel Lopez. It is made according to Saldaña’s vision and passion for agave and artisanal mezcal with respect for traditional production methods, sustainability, and the quality of life in the communities and families who have produced mezcal for generations. 43ABV

NOTES
Organic cultivated Espadin distilled at NOM-0156X

Mule pulled single stone tahona, copper still with direct wood fired heat. Underground, stone pit oven fueled with encino and pine.
Open pine wood vats and wild fermentation without any nutrients or cultivated yeast addition.

Dewars White Label (S81)

A smooth and approachable Scotch whisky demonstrating the blended category.

NOTES
The iconic DEWAR’S White Label is a timeless Scotch whisky that tastes as full and round today as it did over a century ago when it was created by our first Master Blender, A.J. Cameron. DEWAR’S White Label contains around 40 of Scotland’s finest single malts, with Aberfeldy at its heart. You’ll find it rich, golden and mellow throughout.