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. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
Pineau de Charentes
Prior to fermentation
Dissolve or melt
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

2. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
Curacao
6--8 years
Pulque
160 proof

3. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Fewer congeners
Distiller's beer
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
Hydrolysis

4. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
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
191.2 proof
Pina
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

5. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
Barley
Brouillis
column/pot combination still
2 years minimum

6. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
10% a year
Heart
Rum
Grapes/Fruits

7. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
0.5% abv
Hemi-cellulose component
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
Grains

8. The process step in which the inulin is converted to fermentable sugars is called...
water of life
Hydrolysis
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
to drink

9. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Place of work
loral and fruity
Evaporation and condensation

10. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
decomposed plant matter
one year minimum
in any country; generic liqueur
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.

11. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
loral and fruity
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
t least one year

12. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
one year minimum
125 proof or less
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
6--8 years

13. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
Evaporation and condensation
Full-bodied and pungent
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
3 years

14. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Rum
water of life

15. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
Water
80--94
0.5% abv
Fuller-tasting rums

16. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
Curacao
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
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Tahona

17. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
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
in any country; generic liqueur
Pineau de Charentes
Pina

18. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
to drink
Place of work
varietal-specific brandies
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

19. Sambuca liqueur can be made...
in any country; generic liqueur
London Dry gin
2 years minimum
51% agave

20. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
Hydrolysis
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
2 years minimum
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

21. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
marc
water of life
Grapes/Fruits
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

22. In the U.S. - Brandy must achieve a minimum bottling of 80 proof (40% abv). In Europe - the minimum strength at bottling is...
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
36% alcohol72 proof
only made in Ireland
loral and fruity

23. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
Kidney and bladder problems
more than one distillery
More full-bodied
one year minimum

24. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
column/pot combination still

25. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
permit added caramel coloring
more than one distillery
London Dry gin
The Triangle Trade

26. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
more than one distillery
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Cut the flower stalk
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).

27. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
water of life
Coffee or wine
in any country; generic liqueur
one year minimum

28. Non-alcoholic beverages - such as beer and wine may contain no more than_____ percent alcohol by Volume (abv).
maturation profile
The Caribbean Islands
0.5% abv
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

29. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
London Dry gin
Noble
Prior to fermentation
Full-bodied and pungent

30. Which of the following is NOT a cold extraction method...
Bottled in Bond
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
pyrolysis
Curacao

31. Peat - which gives Scotch Whisky a distinctive smoky aroma and flavor 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
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
decomposed plant matter

32. 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
More full-bodied
The Caribbean Islands
3 years

33. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
permit added caramel coloring
column/pot combination still
125 proof or less
Pulque

34. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Grains
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

35. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
t least one year
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
permit added caramel coloring
160 proof

36. Agave is one of the six primary areas of tequila flavor. Of the following five - which is NOT a primary source of flavor?...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Blackthorn Plum
Jicama
120 proof

37. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
warmer
water of life
36% alcohol72 proof

38. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
45% alcohol by volume
Rum
Pina
Succulent

39. A product listed as '90 Proof' would be equivalent to...
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
45% alcohol by volume

40. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
Pineau de Charentes
125 proof or less
one year minimum
Dissolve or melt

41. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
warmer
Compounding
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
Grapes/Fruits

42. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
The Triangle Trade
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
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
permit added caramel coloring

43. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
water of life
Fuller-tasting rums
160 proof
Pina

44. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
6--8 years
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
Jicama
Fuller-tasting rums

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

46. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
Full-bodied and pungent
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
More full-bodied
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

47. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
50/50
Water
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).

48. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
0.5% abv
Cut the flower stalk
maturation profile
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

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

50. Which of the following is NOT a proprietary liqueur?
London Dry gin
Bottled in Bond
Curacao
loral and fruity