Brandy & Cognac: Overview of the Category
Brandy & Cognac: The Art of the Barrel is a product knowledge training course that breaks down the full brandy world: Cognac, Armagnac, Spanish brandy de Jerez, Pisco, Calvados, Grappa, and the growing world of craft fruit brandies. Each section covers production methods, regional distinctions, classification systems, and the flavor profiles that shape how the category is sold and served.
Who This Course Is For
This course is designed for bartenders, sommeliers, retail staff, sales representatives, and anyone who needs a working understanding of the brandy shelf. You will learn why all cognac is brandy but not all brandy is cognac, how the solera system shapes Spanish brandy, what separates a VS from a Hors d'Âge, and why French oak aging defines the Cognac profile.
Build Real Brandy and Cognac Knowledge
By the end of the course, your team will have the practical brandy education they need to read a label with confidence, guide customers across price points and regions, build and recommend classic cocktails, and speak to the category with the fluency it deserves.
How the course works
The course is online and self-paced, so staff can work through it between shifts on a phone, tablet, or desktop, and stop and resume without losing progress. Managers can assign it across a team and track completion from the Learn Brands dashboard, which makes it practical for onboarding rather than a one-off.
Brandy and Cognac FAQ
Is this course free?
Yes. Brandy & Cognac: The Art of the Barrel is part of the free Core Education Suite, which is free to take and free to assign to your team. There is no cost, no subscription, and no card required.
Does it cover more than Cognac?
Yes. Alongside Cognac it covers Armagnac, Spanish brandy de Jerez, Pisco, Calvados, Grappa, and the growing world of craft fruit brandies, including how the classification systems differ between them.
Will it explain the age designations?
Yes. The course covers what separates a VS from a Hors d'Age, how the solera system shapes Spanish brandy, and why French oak defines the Cognac profile.
Do I need to take Spirits 101 first?
No, though Spirits 101 is useful context for where brandy sits among the major categories.
Can I enroll my whole team?
Yes. Create a free company account, assign the course to your staff, and track who has started and who has finished from the dashboard. That is how most retailers and distributors use it, as a standard step in onboarding.
Get certified
Browse the on-demand certifications, from state-approved seller-server training to category credentials like AFNA and Hemp Bev Certified. Buying for a team? Register your business free and assign seats across your whole staff.
Related courses
For more on barrel-aged spirits, see Whiskeys of the World and Rum. Spirits 101 covers where brandy sits in the wider category. Browse the free Core Education Suite.