Fine Spirits Sommelier: A journey to even more enjoyment, knowledge and community
Spirits are more than just fine wines—they tell stories of craftsmanship, nature, and passion. 🍐✨
That's why I decided to deepen my knowledge at the Genussakademie Bayern – and complete the training to become a fine brandy sommelier .
An education that challenges all the senses
In 96 intensive teaching units, you will delve deep into the world of fine spirits:
Sensory and fine aroma analyses
Production techniques from fruit to glass
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Food pairing, glass knowledge and barrel aging
Calculation, marketing and spirits law
Four large training blocks, many practical exercises, and exciting exams – a comprehensive training for all the senses and the mind. 🎓🍸 A huge advantage for me was that I'm already a state-certified distiller and I've been familiar with a considerable portion of the theory for some time. 🤓
The fascinating science of flavors
I was particularly impressed by the scientific aspect of the training:
Did you know that a simple apple contains over 300 different flavors ? 🍏
Floral, tropical, lemony, spicy, and nutty aromas—and these aren't just fantasies, they're scientifically proven. Every aroma molecule is actually present in the fruit.
This diversity makes the world of flavors so wonderfully fascinating for me – and shows how much nature is in every drop.






A special community: 20 people, one passion
But as exciting as the content was, the best part of this time was the people. We were 20 participants , nine women and eleven men—a wonderfully balanced group that quickly became a small family. 💛
This close connection even gave rise to a joint project: the Sommulé .
Sommulé: Our joint barrel project
Under the name Sommulé we have created five special brandy specialties:
a barrel grain spirit
a barrel-aged herbal brandy
a stone fruit cuvée in oak barrels
a stone fruit cuvée in oak barrels
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another stone fruit cuvée
What's special about this is that the four barrels will mature for five years – during which time they will embark on a journey across Germany. Each fine spirits sommelier will contribute a piece of the story – thus keeping the project alive.
Sommulé: A project full of tradition, passion and responsibility
The name of our project Sommulé is much more than just a creative word creation – it tells a story.
Historically, the sommelier was not the wine expert we know today. In the past, the term referred to the guardian and companion of valuable supplies:
A sommelier loaded the mules with precious goods such as wine and food and was responsible for ensuring that these treasures reached their destination safely. Not only that, but the sommelier also acted as a taster : He checked the quality of the goods carried and ensured that everything was edible.
Organization, sensitivity, and a trained palate were just as important back then as courage and a sense of responsibility. He was a guardian of enjoyment long before the word sommelier became what we understand it to be today.
And it is precisely this spirit that lives on in our Sommulé project:
We guard precious barrels full of fine spirits.
We accompany them safely through Germany – each of us bears the responsibility for a while.
We taste, test, and accompany the development – with sensory skills, heart, and craftsmanship.
Sommulé stands for tradition, community, and the art of combining enjoyment with responsibility. A small piece of history that we carry on – with a modern interpretation, but with the same respect for the value of things.


Why I want to keep learning
As a distiller and owner of Brennlust, I'm not only responsible for high-quality spirits, but also for conscious enjoyment. My training as a fine spirits sommelier gives me the opportunity to:
to capture aromas more precisely,
to assess qualities even better,
to create innovative moments of enjoyment and
to pass on my knowledge to my customers
Because in the end, it’s about much more than a product – it’s about creating memories and emotions .
Looking ahead: thirst for knowledge and passion
For me, the training is a small milestone achieved—but also a beginning. I'm looking forward to applying my new knowledge at Brennlust : for new ideas, special distillates, and unique events. Of course, I'm already brimming with ideas! 😅



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Author Andrea
Not only do I love distilling, but I also enjoy sharing my knowledge, experience, and passion. In my blog posts, I take you on a journey through everyday life at our distillery and on our small business. Of course, there are also drinks to enjoy along the way.
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