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. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
The Triangle Trade
in any country; generic liqueur
Evaporation and condensation
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

2. 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
loral and fruity
Grains
to drink

3. In the U.S. - Brandy must achieve a minimum bottling of 80 proof (40% abv). In Europe - the minimum strength at bottling is...
36% alcohol72 proof
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
more than one distillery
the age of the youngest rum in the blend

4. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Full-bodied and pungent
Pulque
Aguamiel

5. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
only made in Ireland
loral and fruity
80--94

6. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
Bottled in Bond
warmer
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Prior to fermentation

7. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Fuller-tasting rums
Grains
Brouillis

8. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
Place of work
only made in Ireland
pyrolysis
3 years

9. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
Prior to fermentation
Aguamiel
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
The Caribbean Islands

10. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
Noble
Jicama
Coffee or wine
Industriel

11. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
The Caribbean Islands
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
125 proof or less
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

12. In tequila - the Lowlands region of the Valle de Tequila is noticeably ___________ than the Highlands.
Charcoal
warmer
120 proof
marc

13. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
more than one distillery
Evaporation and condensation
6--8 years
to drink

14. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Fewer congeners
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
in any country; generic liqueur

15. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
to drink
Place of work
Pina
Dissolve or melt

16. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
Dissolve or melt
only made in Ireland
Bottled in Bond
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

17. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
6--8 years
Fewer congeners
water of life
Holland or Belgium

18. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
51% agave
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
The Caribbean Islands
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

19. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
Pina
Water
Rum
charcoal mellowed

20. Most barrel aged rums use...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
to drink
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

21. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
Jicama
Grapes/Fruits
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
10% a year

22. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
191.2 proof
Bottled in Bond

23. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
loral and fruity
Pineau de Charentes
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

24. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Place of work
Holland or Belgium
pyrolysis

25. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
Fuller-tasting rums
decomposed plant matter
51% agave
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

26. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
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
45% alcohol by volume
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Bottled in Bond

27. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
more than one distillery
51% agave
Cut the flower stalk
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

28. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
t least one year
50/50
2 years minimum
3 years

29. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Barley
to drink
column/pot combination still

30. The term 'beverage' is derived from the Latin bibere - meaning...
to drink
Succulent
Hemi-cellulose component
pyrolysis

31. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
warmer
Tahona
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
to drink

32. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Hydrolysis
Compounding
2 years minimum

33. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
Coffee or wine
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
London Dry gin
varietal-specific brandies

34. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
Cut the flower stalk
50/50
marc
Pulque

35. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
Hydrolysis
Brouillis
Prior to fermentation
Heart

36. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
marc
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
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
Industriel

37. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
Tahona
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
one year minimum
a solvent with a hint of lemon

38. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
Jicama
Grapes/Fruits
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
decomposed plant matter

39. Bourbon whiskey produced at one distillery - during one distilling season - aged a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof - is called...
Bottled in Bond
Coffee or wine
marc
Grapes/Fruits

40. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
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
Water
Grapes/Fruits
Hemi-cellulose component

41. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
36% alcohol72 proof
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
maturation profile
Full-bodied and pungent

42. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
Pineau de Charentes
Place of work
Grains
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.

43. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof of...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
2 years minimum
120 proof
Charcoal

44. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
water of life
Coffee or wine
Hemi-cellulose component

45. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
Fuller-tasting rums
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
Pineau de Charentes

46. Agave is one of the six primary areas of tequila flavor. Of the following five - which is NOT a primary source of flavor?...
Evaporation and condensation
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
The Caribbean Islands
Jicama

47. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Hydrolysis
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
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

48. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
Place of work
in any country; generic liqueur
charcoal mellowed
Charcoal

49. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Grains
Compounding

50. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
More full-bodied
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
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