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. Congeners are...
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Jicama
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Distiller's beer

2. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
one year minimum
125 proof or less
Dissolve or melt
t least one year

3. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
50/50
Charcoal
More full-bodied
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

4. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
Rum
Aguamiel
6--8 years
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

5. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Heart
Succulent
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

6. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
Hydrolysis
water of life
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

7. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
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
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Pina
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

8. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
Full-bodied and pungent
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
120 proof
Hydrolysis

9. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Grains

10. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
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
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
Fuller-tasting rums

11. In Rum production - a finished product may be the result of...
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
Blackthorn Plum
Rum
Jicama

12. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Fuller-tasting rums

13. The term 'beverage' is derived from the Latin bibere - meaning...
The Caribbean Islands
Hydrolysis
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
to drink

14. Mexican law allows some finished tequilas to be...
Evaporation and condensation
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
50/50
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

15. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
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
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
to drink
maturation profile

16. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
t least one year
Aguamiel
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
Prior to fermentation

17. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
More full-bodied
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
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
Prior to fermentation

18. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
Fuller-tasting rums
Tahona
loral and fruity
Curacao

19. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
Industriel
Heart
2 years minimum
Hemi-cellulose component

20. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
3 years
pyrolysis
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
column/pot combination still

21. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
Jicama
pyrolysis
loral and fruity
Dissolve or melt

22. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
More full-bodied
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Grapes/Fruits
water of life

23. 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?
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
50/50
Full-bodied and pungent
51% agave

24. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
Pina
Pulque
Rum
Holland or Belgium

25. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
Noble
Place of work
a solvent with a hint of lemon
0.5% abv

26. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
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
Heart
Succulent
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

27. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
10% a year

28. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
Place of work
Full-bodied and pungent
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
6--8 years

29. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
2 years minimum
173F
Grapes/Fruits
more than one distillery

30. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
in any country; generic liqueur
varietal-specific brandies
London Dry gin
a solvent with a hint of lemon

31. Bourbon whiskey produced at one distillery - during one distilling season - aged a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof - is called...
2 years minimum
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Bottled in Bond
Place of work

32. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Evaporation and condensation
Distiller's beer
45% alcohol by volume
to drink

33. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Dissolve or melt
charcoal mellowed
the age of the youngest rum in the blend

34. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
173F
Holland or Belgium
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

35. Non-alcoholic beverages - such as beer and wine may contain no more than_____ percent alcohol by Volume (abv).
0.5% abv
Aguamiel
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
Evaporation and condensation

36. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
125 proof or less
160 proof
one year minimum
Rum

37. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
2 years minimum
charcoal mellowed
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
The Caribbean Islands

38. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
3 years
water of life
a solvent with a hint of lemon

39. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Barley
Pulque
10% a year

40. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
warmer
Water
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

41. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
London Dry gin
Distiller's beer
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Fewer congeners

42. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
160 proof
Succulent

43. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
London Dry gin
More full-bodied
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Kidney and bladder problems

44. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
Cut the flower stalk
Place of work
Aguamiel
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

45. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
45% alcohol by volume
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Charcoal

46. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
Brouillis
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
London Dry gin
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

47. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
Holland or Belgium
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
10% a year

48. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
10% a year
Rum
charcoal mellowed
Holland or Belgium

49. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
Barley
Charcoal
50/50
Noble

50. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
2 years minimum
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Tahona
Hydrolysis