A new independent certification program aimed at raising global standards in spirits education is set to launch in Sydney later this year.
The International Spirits Academy (ISA), created by the team behind the Australian Gin Distillers Association and Australian Gin Awards, will offer a structured, four-level certification pathway for hospitality professionals, culminating in the title of ‘Master of Eau de Vie’.
Positioned as a comprehensive counterpart to programs such as Master Sommelier and Master Cicerone, the ISA aims to become a global benchmark in distilled spirits education. The program will feature a combination of lectures, guided tastings, and formal examinations designed to assess and elevate the expertise of spirits professionals across service, sales, sensory analysis, production methods, and global regulatory frameworks.
Judith Kennedy AM, Founder and Chair of the ISA, said: “As the global spirits industry matures, the demand for true spirits professionals will only grow.
“Our vision with the International Spirits Academy is to provide a rigorous, independent path to mastery — giving students the knowledge, tasting expertise, and service excellence needed to lead the next generation of hospitality experiences.
“This Academy is the culmination of everything we’ve worked towards over decades in wine, spirits, and hospitality – and we’re excited to share it with the world.”
Targeted primarily at those working in cocktail bars, fine dining, hotels, retail, and spirits production, the ISA is also open to those seeking advanced spirits knowledge. Each level of the certification must be completed sequentially, with students receiving a detailed ISA handbook to support their studies.
The program is set to begin in August this year, with enrolment opening in May for the Sydney-based program. International expansion is already on the agenda, with planned future locations to include Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, and New York.
What sets the ISA apart is its independent, category-spanning approach to spirits education. Unlike programs sponsored by individual brands or focused on single categories, the ISA is designed “for professionals, by professionals,” according to its founders.
The Academy is backed by an impressive team of industry figures, including Australian spirits pioneer Bill Lark (serving as Patron), Charles Casben (Education Chair), and curriculum lead Dr Sarah Fletcher. They are joined by respected voices such as Master of Wine Ned Goodwin, wine critic Huon Hooke, and renowned bar operator Mikey Enright.
With a focus on industry-wide credibility and a mission to elevate global spirits literacy, the ISA is expected to appeal to a broad spectrum of hospitality professionals looking to deepen their technical knowledge and advance their careers.