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. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
London Dry gin
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
loral and fruity

2. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
10% a year
Compounding
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Fewer congeners

3. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
a solvent with a hint of lemon
to drink
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

4. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
Succulent
173F
Cut the flower stalk
80--94

5. 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
125 proof or less
only made in Ireland
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.

6. The primary flavoring agent for Sloe Gin is...
Barley
Blackthorn Plum
decomposed plant matter
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

7. The term 'beverage' is derived from the Latin bibere - meaning...
Water
to drink
45% alcohol by volume
Distiller's beer

8. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
Barley
Cut the flower stalk
Dissolve or melt
Distiller's beer

9. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Charcoal
0.5% abv
Compounding
Succulent

10. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
Place of work
2 years minimum
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Blackthorn Plum

11. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
Evaporation and condensation
Water
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
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

12. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
Charcoal
191.2 proof
Pulque
The Caribbean Islands

13. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
Grapes/Fruits
Blackthorn Plum
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
45% alcohol by volume

14. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
6--8 years
Grapes/Fruits
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
160 proof

15. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
160 proof
Rum
Tahona
Evaporation and condensation

16. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
maturation profile
Dissolve or melt
more than one distillery
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

17. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
191.2 proof
More full-bodied
to drink
water of life

18. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
Place of work
Industriel
Holland or Belgium
maturation profile

19. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
Evaporation and condensation
The Caribbean Islands
Grapes/Fruits
Noble

20. 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
permit added caramel coloring
decomposed plant matter
London Dry gin

21. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
Heart
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
The Triangle Trade
The Caribbean Islands

22. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
pyrolysis
Pineau de Charentes
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
maturation profile

23. If labeled as '100% Agave' the tequila must be...
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Kidney and bladder problems
Prior to fermentation
Pulque

24. The great majority of tequilas consumed outside of Mexico are termed...

25. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
Succulent
191.2 proof
t least one year
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

26. The global definition for whiskey is...
10% a year
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Fuller-tasting rums

27. In Rum production - a finished product may be the result of...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Holland or Belgium
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
Jicama

28. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
Hydrolysis
Prior to fermentation
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection

29. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Evaporation and condensation
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Aguamiel

30. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
Fuller-tasting rums
a solvent with a hint of lemon
3 years
10% a year

31. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
6--8 years
80--94
Bottled in Bond
Charcoal

32. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
173F
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Full-bodied and pungent
loral and fruity

33. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
3 years
water of life
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Compounding

34. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
125 proof or less
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Kidney and bladder problems
Water

35. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Charcoal
Succulent
only made in Ireland

36. Bourbon whiskey produced at one distillery - during one distilling season - aged a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof - is called...
Compounding
Bottled in Bond
160 proof
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

37. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
Dissolve or melt
varietal-specific brandies
Aguamiel
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

38. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
Heart
160 proof
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
80--94

39. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
Noble
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
173F

40. Which of the following is NOT a proprietary liqueur?
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
Hemi-cellulose component
Curacao

41. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
Cut the flower stalk
Evaporation and condensation
Aguamiel
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.

42. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
marc
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
2 years minimum

43. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
36% alcohol72 proof
Fewer congeners
column/pot combination still

44. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
0.5% abv
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection

45. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
only made in Ireland
Full-bodied and pungent
173F
Kidney and bladder problems

46. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
173F
only made in Ireland
t least one year
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

47. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Aguamiel
Place of work
Heart

48. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
173F
Water
45% alcohol by volume
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

49. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
varietal-specific brandies
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Noble
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

50. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof 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 Caribbean Islands
Heart
120 proof