Certificate in Rum and Sugar Cane Spirits
This course is designed for: * Serious rum enthusiasts * Hospitality and beverage professionals * Distillers and producers * Spirits educators * Collectors and lifelong learners Whether you're pursuing a career in spirits or simply deepening a lifelong passion, this certificate provides a structured, university-backed path to expertise.
Description
Gain a recognised qualification in rum and sugar cane spirits while developing your knowledge of production methods, styles, flavour profiles, and global regions. This course is ideal for hospitality professionals and spirits enthusiasts alike.
This 10-week course is delivered by a Master Rummelier® from the Royal Rum Society in Partnership with University of Lynchburg and Forth Valley College.
It provides an in-depth introduction to rum and sugar cane spirits from around the world. Delivered primarily online, the programme explores the history, production, maturation, classification, and sensory characteristics of a wide range of spirits.
Learners will also attend on-site tasting sessions at the College in Weeks 3 and 10, providing the opportunity to apply their learning through guided sensory evaluation and comparative tasting.
Explore the full production lifecycle of rum and cane spirits—sugar-cane cultivation, distillation, aging, bottling and marketing.
Taste and evaluate white, dark, aged and spiced rums, plus lesser-known cane spirits such as cachaça and rhum agricole.
Master mixology fundamentals for rum-based cocktails and learn how to pair rum with food and culture.
Strengthen your professional vocabulary and service skills in rum and sugar-cane spirits contexts.
Build connections with hospitality, beverage retail, tourism and event-planning sectors.
Certification
Upon successful completion you'll receive:
- University of Lynchburg Professional Development Institute Certificate
- Royal Rum Society Level 1 Rummelier® credential
- Forth Valley College Certificate of Achievement
Content
Module 1: Rum and Sugar Cane Spirits, A Global Perspective
Module 2: Sugar Cane History Part 1: World Focus
Module 3: Tasting Techniques and Flavor Profiling
Module 4: Sugar Cane History Part 2: American Focus
Module 5: Types of Rum and Cane Spirits
Module 6: Rum & Sugar Cane Spirits Production Process
Module 7: Production Process
Module 8: Rum Brands and Marketing
Module 9: Mixology with Rum and the Sugar Cane Spirit
Module 10: Terminology, Resources, and Trivia
More Info
Enhance your experience with these additional opportunities:
- Three-Course Evening Meal
Enjoy a three-course dining experience at our award-winning Gallery Restaurant in Stirling
Date: 20 October 2026 at 5.30pm
£25 per person
- Celebration Dinner & Certificate Presentation
Join us for a special celebration dinner and receive your certificate from a Master Rummelier® in person.
Date: 8 December 2026 at 5.30pm
£35 per person