Test your basic knowledge |

Certified Specialist Of Spirits

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. Peat - which gives Scotch Whisky a distinctive smoky aroma and flavor is...
Grains
decomposed plant matter
Kidney and bladder problems
Curacao

2. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
Heart
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Coffee or wine
more than one distillery

3. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
Charcoal
Place of work
It is matured in used barrels - It is stored in a cool - damp environment - It is generally stored in stone barrel houses - The climatic conditions are cooler than in the USA
a solvent with a hint of lemon

4. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
Tahona
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Place of work
It is from a single barrel of whiskey - it is made from 100% corn grain - it is aged for a minimum of two years in charred barrels - no additives but caramel coloring for consistency can be used

5. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
Fuller-tasting rums
Compounding
36% alcohol72 proof
191.2 proof

6. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
Aguamiel
Cut the flower stalk
It is matured in used barrels - It is stored in a cool - damp environment - It is generally stored in stone barrel houses - The climatic conditions are cooler than in the USA
1. Made in USA 2. minimum 51% corn 3. maximum 160 Proof distillation 3. maximum 125 Proof in barrel 4. Aged in charred - new American white oak barrel 5. Water only additive

7. Most barrel aged rums use...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

8. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
Succulent
It is from a single barrel of whiskey - it is made from 100% corn grain - it is aged for a minimum of two years in charred barrels - no additives but caramel coloring for consistency can be used
Charcoal
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

9. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
warmer
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Grains

10. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
only made in Ireland
It is matured in used barrels - It is stored in a cool - damp environment - It is generally stored in stone barrel houses - The climatic conditions are cooler than in the USA
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Kidney and bladder problems

11. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
The Caribbean Islands
125 proof or less
Tahona
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

12. In Rum production - a finished product may be the result of...
Place of work
water of life
A blend of pot still and column still distillation - a blend of sugar cane and molasses base - a blend of aged and un-aged rums
Industriel

13. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
Pina
Hemi-cellulose component
charcoal mellowed
160 proof

14. In the U.S. - Brandy must achieve a minimum bottling of 80 proof (40% abv). In Europe - the minimum strength at bottling is...
Water
t least one year
36% alcohol72 proof
45% alcohol by volume

15. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Succulent
125 proof or less
1. Made in USA 2. minimum 51% corn 3. maximum 160 Proof distillation 3. maximum 125 Proof in barrel 4. Aged in charred - new American white oak barrel 5. Water only additive
decomposed plant matter

16. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Charcoal
Prior to fermentation
125 proof or less

17. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
Pina
Tahona
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
160 proof

18. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof of...
120 proof
Hydrolysis
Place of work
Fewer congeners

19. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Kidney and bladder problems
London Dry gin
loral and fruity

20. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
Coffee or wine
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
10% a year
charcoal mellowed

21. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
3 years
maturation profile
More full-bodied
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

22. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
marc
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Holland or Belgium
191.2 proof

23. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
Full-bodied and pungent
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Dissolve or melt
191.2 proof

24. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
Rum
marc
50/50
125 proof or less

25. Which of the following is NOT a cold extraction method...
120 proof
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Distiller's beer

26. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
Bottled in Bond
pyrolysis
Full-bodied and pungent
Brouillis

27. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
120 proof
Bottled in Bond
t least one year
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

28. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Pulque
Water
Place of work

29. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
more than one distillery
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

30. Sambuca liqueur can be made...
London Dry gin
Tahona
in any country; generic liqueur
Kidney and bladder problems

31. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
Noble
191.2 proof
Grains
3 years

32. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
36% alcohol72 proof
0.5% abv
London Dry gin
80--94

33. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
A blend of pot still and column still distillation - a blend of sugar cane and molasses base - a blend of aged and un-aged rums
Rum
pyrolysis
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection

34. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
Succulent
125 proof or less
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).

35. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Evaporation and condensation
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Curacao
173F

36. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
Pulque
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
column/pot combination still
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

37. Congeners are...
Noble
Cut the flower stalk
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Barley

38. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
varietal-specific brandies
pyrolysis
Holland or Belgium
Water

39. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
Aguamiel
permit added caramel coloring
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
pyrolysis

40. Rum may be made from...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
marc
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

41. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
t least one year
50/50
Holland or Belgium
one year minimum

42. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
marc
173F
loral and fruity
water of life

43. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
Tahona
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Evaporation and condensation

44. European Union Brandy allows ______________
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
permit added caramel coloring
Holland or Belgium
Charcoal

45. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
It is from a single barrel of whiskey - it is made from 100% corn grain - it is aged for a minimum of two years in charred barrels - no additives but caramel coloring for consistency can be used
Place of work
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

46. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
column/pot combination still
Full-bodied and pungent
t least one year

47. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
160 proof
Pineau de Charentes
Cut the flower stalk
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

48. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
varietal-specific brandies
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
3 years

49. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
decomposed plant matter
Place of work
maturation profile

50. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
water of life
Place of work
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds