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.
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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. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
Fewer congeners
191.2 proof
loral and fruity
173F

2. Which of the following is NOT a proprietary liqueur?
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
one year minimum
Brouillis
Curacao

3. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
Charcoal
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

4. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
Noble
more than one distillery
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
only made in Ireland

5. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Succulent
Fewer congeners
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

6. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
50/50
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Dissolve or melt
Cut the flower stalk

7. Which of the following is NOT a cold extraction method...
6--8 years
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Bottled in Bond
Kidney and bladder problems

8. Non-alcoholic beverages - such as beer and wine may contain no more than_____ percent alcohol by Volume (abv).
6--8 years
Water
column/pot combination still
0.5% abv

9. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
Grains
Dissolve or melt
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Holland or Belgium

10. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Tahona
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel

11. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
water of life
Grapes/Fruits
6--8 years
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

12. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
The Caribbean Islands

13. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
decomposed plant matter
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Grapes/Fruits
Charcoal

14. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
3 years
50/50

15. The term 'beverage' is derived from the Latin bibere - meaning...
120 proof
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
to drink

16. European Union Brandy allows ______________
to drink
120 proof
permit added caramel coloring
warmer

17. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
Pineau de Charentes
Coffee or wine
Curacao
Prior to fermentation

18. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
The Triangle Trade
Pulque
to drink

19. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
Noble
10% a year
Jicama
Pineau de Charentes

20. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
one year minimum
Pineau de Charentes
6--8 years
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

21. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Kidney and bladder problems
one year minimum
Distiller's beer

22. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
more than one distillery
Prior to fermentation
Pineau de Charentes

23. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
120 proof
Evaporation and condensation

24. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Fuller-tasting rums
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

25. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
120 proof
Fewer congeners
marc
warmer

26. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
Full-bodied and pungent
6--8 years
charcoal mellowed
Industriel

27. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
Hydrolysis
Water
loral and fruity
Dissolve or melt

28. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
173F
Compounding
permit added caramel coloring
London Dry gin

29. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
36% alcohol72 proof
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Grapes/Fruits

30. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
Noble
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Hydrolysis

31. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
charcoal mellowed
water of life
Noble

32. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
51% agave
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
in any country; generic liqueur
Rum

33. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
2 years minimum
t least one year
Coffee or wine
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

34. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
2 years minimum
Fewer congeners

35. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
Coffee or wine
125 proof or less
Industriel
Grains

36. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
in any country; generic liqueur

37. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
water of life
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
120 proof
Rum

38. The process step in which the inulin is converted to fermentable sugars is called...
Hydrolysis
Curacao
Fewer congeners
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country

39. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Succulent
one year minimum
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
the age of the youngest rum in the blend

40. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Prior to fermentation
0.5% abv
Holland or Belgium

41. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
Bottled in Bond
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
column/pot combination still
Heart

42. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
water of life
Succulent
pyrolysis
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

43. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
t least one year
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
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

44. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
Heart
Succulent
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Water

45. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
Hemi-cellulose component
10% a year
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
120 proof

46. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
Curacao
Water
Evaporation and condensation
2 years minimum

47. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Prior to fermentation
permit added caramel coloring

48. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
Cut the flower stalk
Place of work
More full-bodied
191.2 proof

49. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Compounding
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Fuller-tasting rums

50. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
Evaporation and condensation
Compounding
The Triangle Trade
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.