From WSET certifications to UK RumFest: Women Leading Spirits fast-tracks industry leadership

October is shaping up to be a landmark month for Women Leading Spirits (WLS), marked by major educational milestones and prominent appearances at one of the world’s premier spirits events. From launching an ambitious, multi-year certification program with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) to hosting key sessions at the 20th Anniversary of UK RumFest, the organization continues to champion leadership, technical expertise and diversity across the global beverage industry.

WSET Education Calendar and 100-Scholarship Initiative Launch

Reinforcing its commitment to specialized training, WLS has officially opened its WSET course calendar for Q4 2026 through mid-2027. Through a strategic alliance with WSET — the global authority operating in over 70 countries — WLS members gain priority access and preferential rates for six Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications across Spirits, Beervand Sake:

• Level 1 Award in Spirits (Oct. 19-July): Introductory course on production principles, spirit styles and sensory evaluation.

• Level 2 Award in Spirits (Oct. 12-June 28): Deep dive into distillation techniques, classification and analytical tasting.

• Level 1 Award in Beer (Oct. 26-June 21): Essential training on styles, ingredients, service and food pairing.

• Level 2 Award in Beer (Nov. 2-June 28): A 30-hour curriculum on raw materials, brewing processesvand evaluation.

• Level 1 Award in Sake (Oct. 19-June 28): Overview of main styles, production fundamentals and flavor drivers.

• Level 2 Award in Sake (Oct. 12-June 14): Comprehensive study of fermentation, quality criteria and labeling terms.

To support long-term professional development, WLS and WSET have also launched a joint program committing 100 full scholarships by 2030. The initial award window opens this October with five course grants (two for WSET Level 2 Spirits and three for WSET Level 1 Spirits). Applications are open to all active members on the official Women Leading Spirits website.

Key Role at the 20th Anniversary UK RumFest in London

Alongside its academic rollout, WLS will play a central role at UK RumFest’s 20th anniversary in London, hosting two exclusive events designed to spotlight global female leadership in rum:

• Welcome Cocktail (Oct. 16, 7-9 p.m.): Co-hosted with Celebrate Her at Laki Kane in Mayfair, this invite-only evening serves as the official festival kickoff. Featuring appearances by Ian Burrell and Georgi Radev, and supported by Ron Abuelo Panamá, Bacardí, Real Cocktail Ingredients and Crossfire Hurricanes, the gathering brings together international producers, ambassadors and key figures.

• “Women Who Lead Brands” Grand Tasting Seminar (Oct. 17, 3:30-4:15 p.m.): Held in Rum Room 2, this seminar will be hosted by Larissa Arjona (President & Co-Founder of WLS and Global Marketing Manager for Ron Abuelo). The panel highlights four industry leaders guiding a curated tasting on craft, origin and innovation:

  • Emily Gosling (Goslings Rum)

  • Giang Nguyen (HaLong Distillery)

  • Amma Mensah (Reign Rum)

  • Sandrine Travailleur (Omnicane)

Through these dual efforts—expanding international academic qualifications and leading high-profile industry dialogues—Women Leading Spirits continues to solidify its mission to elevate women’s voices and foster professional excellence across the global spirits sector.