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. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Succulent
Grapes/Fruits
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).

2. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
Curacao
varietal-specific brandies
More full-bodied
120 proof

3. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
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
column/pot combination still
water of life
Full-bodied and pungent

4. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Industriel

5. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Coffee or wine
t least one year
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection

6. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
marc
water of life
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Rum

7. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Barley
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
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

8. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
Aguamiel
to drink
More full-bodied
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

9. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
Brouillis
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
Dissolve or melt
a solvent with a hint of lemon

10. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
only made in Ireland
Tahona
one year minimum
marc

11. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
Place of work
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
pyrolysis
191.2 proof

12. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
160 proof
Fuller-tasting rums
The Caribbean Islands
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

13. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
The Triangle Trade
Tahona
125 proof or less
Holland or Belgium

14. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
to drink
column/pot combination still
36% alcohol72 proof
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

15. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
More full-bodied
water of life
Noble
London Dry gin

16. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
Bottled in Bond
t least one year
Hemi-cellulose component
Jicama

17. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Holland or Belgium
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Distiller's beer

18. If labeled as '100% Agave' the tequila must be...
Blackthorn Plum
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
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

19. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
Blackthorn Plum
marc
2 years minimum
120 proof

20. The global definition for whiskey is...
more than one distillery
Pineau de Charentes
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Industriel

21. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Dissolve or melt
water of life

22. Agave is one of the six primary areas of tequila flavor. Of the following five - which is NOT a primary source of flavor?...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Jicama

23. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Fuller-tasting rums
80--94
Heart

24. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
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
to drink
More full-bodied
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel

25. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
51% agave
160 proof
permit added caramel coloring
Aguamiel

26. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
3 years
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Compounding

27. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Brouillis
London Dry gin
charcoal mellowed

28. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
50/50
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Fuller-tasting rums
The Triangle Trade

29. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
loral and fruity
10% a year
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

30. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
Tahona
Rum
Fuller-tasting rums
maturation profile

31. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
Pineau de Charentes
191.2 proof
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
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

32. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
Pulque
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
only made in Ireland
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

33. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
Heart
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
125 proof or less
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

34. Bourbon whiskey produced at one distillery - during one distilling season - aged a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof - is called...
Bottled in Bond
loral and fruity
Water
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

35. The process step in which the inulin is converted to fermentable sugars is called...
2 years minimum
Hydrolysis
Dissolve or melt
Prior to fermentation

36. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Place of work
45% alcohol by volume
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

37. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
to drink
Curacao
more than one distillery
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

38. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
173F
6--8 years
Compounding
Noble

39. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
Pineau de Charentes
10% a year
t least one year
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

40. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
Fewer congeners
Barley
charcoal mellowed
Place of work

41. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
Pulque
Compounding
120 proof
Heart

42. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Industriel
Hemi-cellulose component
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

43. In Rum production - a finished product may be the result of...
Charcoal
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
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Rum

44. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
45% alcohol by volume
Compounding
Cut the flower stalk
Pina

45. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
The Triangle Trade
warmer
Fuller-tasting rums
Succulent

46. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
6--8 years

47. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
Curacao
Heart
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Kidney and bladder problems

48. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
only made in Ireland
Jicama
decomposed plant matter
Blackthorn Plum

49. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
Jicama
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Full-bodied and pungent
More full-bodied

50. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Dissolve or melt
Coffee or wine