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. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
London Dry gin
Brouillis
191.2 proof
varietal-specific brandies

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.'
120 proof
The Triangle Trade
The Caribbean Islands
more than one distillery

3. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
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
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

4. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
loral and fruity
125 proof or less
permit added caramel coloring
Grains

5. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
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
Noble
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
80--94

6. Rum may be made from...
t least one year
Holland or Belgium
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

7. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
Curacao
Brouillis
Full-bodied and pungent
Evaporation and condensation

8. The term 'beverage' is derived from the Latin bibere - meaning...
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
London Dry gin
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
to drink

9. In tequila - the Lowlands region of the Valle de Tequila is noticeably ___________ than the Highlands.
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
marc
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
warmer

10. The congener acetaldehyde in vodka would most likely produce aroma/flavor characteristics of...
Coffee or wine
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Tahona
120 proof

11. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
Blackthorn Plum
80--94
Holland or Belgium
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

12. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
decomposed plant matter
Fewer congeners
Tahona
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

13. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Pina

14. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
Hemi-cellulose component
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

15. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
0.5% abv
Blackthorn Plum
only made in Ireland
10% a year

16. Peat - which gives Scotch Whisky a distinctive smoky aroma and flavor is...
51% agave
loral and fruity
decomposed plant matter
Noble

17. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
charcoal mellowed
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
160 proof
10% a year

18. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
more than one distillery
t least one year
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
maturation profile

19. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
Place of work
Distiller's beer
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
charcoal mellowed

20. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Fewer congeners
Water
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

21. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
Rum
maturation profile
10% a year
Industriel

22. Bourbon whiskey produced at one distillery - during one distilling season - aged a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof - is called...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
3 years
Brouillis
Bottled in Bond

23. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Compounding
London Dry gin
6--8 years

24. Which of the following is NOT a cold extraction method...
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Barley
0.5% abv
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

25. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
The Caribbean Islands
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Noble
Water

26. The primary flavoring agent for Sloe Gin is...
decomposed plant matter
Blackthorn Plum
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

27. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof of...
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Industriel
120 proof
125 proof or less

28. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Grains
Succulent
120 proof

29. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
London Dry gin
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

30. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
Industriel
2 years minimum
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

31. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Kidney and bladder problems
Hydrolysis
Fewer congeners
80--94

32. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
More full-bodied
160 proof
Distiller's beer
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

33. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
one year minimum
t least one year
Rum
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel

34. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
Heart
Pulque
More full-bodied
191.2 proof

35. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
Pina
Charcoal
120 proof
a solvent with a hint of lemon

36. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
maturation profile
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
marc

37. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
51% agave
Tahona
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

38. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
Hydrolysis
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
permit added caramel coloring
to drink

39. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
warmer
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 mellowed
Evaporation and condensation

40. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Grains
the age of the youngest rum in the blend

41. Sambuca liqueur can be made...
Pina
in any country; generic liqueur
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

42. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
3 years
173F
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
varietal-specific brandies

43. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
Heart
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Hydrolysis

44. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

45. European Union Brandy allows ______________
160 proof
column/pot combination still
permit added caramel coloring
Aguamiel

46. The global definition for whiskey is...
125 proof or less
Dissolve or melt
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Hydrolysis

47. The process step in which the inulin is converted to fermentable sugars is called...
Barley
Hydrolysis
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Compounding

48. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
Heart
Dissolve or melt
Noble
Tahona

49. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
Charcoal
Aguamiel
Tahona
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

50. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
191.2 proof
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Prior to fermentation