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. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
loral and fruity
t least one year
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
maturation profile

2. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
more than one distillery
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
maturation profile
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.

3. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
decomposed plant matter
Holland or Belgium

4. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
10% a year
varietal-specific brandies
column/pot combination still
More full-bodied

5. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
pyrolysis
Cut the flower stalk
Fuller-tasting rums
Dissolve or melt

6. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
Barley
51% agave
0.5% abv
6--8 years

7. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
permit added caramel coloring
varietal-specific brandies
160 proof
10% a year

8. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
Fewer congeners
column/pot combination still
2 years minimum
a solvent with a hint of lemon

9. The global definition for whiskey is...
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
120 proof
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
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

10. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
Blackthorn Plum
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Pulque
125 proof or less

11. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
one year minimum
maturation profile
pyrolysis
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

12. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
Industriel
51% agave
120 proof
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

13. In Rum production - a finished product may be the result of...
Jicama
2 years minimum
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
Pineau de Charentes

14. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
Place of work
Pineau de Charentes
pyrolysis
maturation profile

15. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
warmer
Rum
160 proof

16. Rum may be made from...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
6--8 years
Water
Bottled in Bond

17. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
permit added caramel coloring
Tahona
warmer

18. 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
51% agave
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')

19. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
160 proof
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
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Holland or Belgium

20. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Evaporation and condensation
Distiller's beer
Dissolve or melt
Prior to fermentation

21. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
The Caribbean Islands
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
Hemi-cellulose component
Bottled in Bond

22. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
London Dry gin
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Compounding

23. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
decomposed plant matter
173F
varietal-specific brandies
Blackthorn Plum

24. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Charcoal
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
more than one distillery
Succulent

25. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
3 years
80--94
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Water

26. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
Distiller's beer
50/50
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
The Triangle Trade

27. European Union Brandy allows ______________
permit added caramel coloring
to drink
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Heart

28. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
0.5% abv
loral and fruity
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
10% a year

29. The strength of distillation was originally 'proved pure' by burning gunpowder with spirit to achieve an even blue flame at what alcohol to water ratio?
50/50
Aguamiel
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Fuller-tasting rums

30. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
warmer
column/pot combination still
Distiller's beer

31. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Hemi-cellulose component
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
charcoal mellowed

32. 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
Water
warmer
10% a year

33. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
The Caribbean Islands
80--94
decomposed plant matter

34. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
The Triangle Trade
maturation profile
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Dissolve or melt

35. In the U.S. - Brandy must achieve a minimum bottling of 80 proof (40% abv). In Europe - the minimum strength at bottling is...
Cut the flower stalk
Pineau de Charentes
More full-bodied
36% alcohol72 proof

36. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
Heart
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
loral and fruity

37. The primary flavoring agent for Sloe Gin is...
Blackthorn Plum
decomposed plant matter
more than one distillery
120 proof

38. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
Tahona
one year minimum
more than one distillery
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

39. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
Industriel
one year minimum
maturation profile
in any country; generic liqueur

40. If labeled as '100% Agave' the tequila must be...
charcoal mellowed
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
loral and fruity
45% alcohol by volume

41. Non-alcoholic beverages - such as beer and wine may contain no more than_____ percent alcohol by Volume (abv).
0.5% abv
50/50
6--8 years
in any country; generic liqueur

42. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
125 proof or less
6--8 years
Fuller-tasting rums
pyrolysis

43. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
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
only made in Ireland
Pineau de Charentes

44. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
only made in Ireland
6--8 years
Jicama
marc

45. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
column/pot combination still
Holland or Belgium
Coffee or wine
Full-bodied and pungent

46. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
125 proof or less
45% alcohol by volume
to drink

47. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Aguamiel
0.5% abv

48. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
Aguamiel
Curacao
80--94
More full-bodied

49. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
water of life
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
Coffee or wine
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection

50. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
varietal-specific brandies
Blackthorn Plum
in any country; generic liqueur
loral and fruity