Test your basic knowledge |

Certified Specialist Of Spirits

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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Match each statement with the correct term.
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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. Which of the following is NOT a proprietary liqueur?
Curacao
loral and fruity
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

2. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Brouillis
pyrolysis

3. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
Hydrolysis
120 proof
173F
125 proof or less

4. Mexican law allows some finished tequilas to be...
51% agave
0.5% abv
Noble
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country

5. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
pyrolysis

6. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
3 years
varietal-specific brandies
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

7. The primary flavoring agent for Sloe Gin is...
Fewer congeners
Bottled in Bond
Compounding
Blackthorn Plum

8. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
125 proof or less
Tahona
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

9. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
column/pot combination still
Pina
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Rum

10. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
Holland or Belgium
Bottled in Bond
Barley
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

11. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
Dissolve or melt
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

12. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
marc
Holland or Belgium

13. Non-alcoholic beverages - such as beer and wine may contain no more than_____ percent alcohol by Volume (abv).
More full-bodied
80--94
0.5% abv
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')

14. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
Dissolve or melt
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Jicama
10% a year

15. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
Cut the flower stalk
Fuller-tasting rums
10% a year
160 proof

16. Bourbon whiskey produced at one distillery - during one distilling season - aged a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof - is called...
Fewer congeners
Bottled in Bond
one year minimum
a solvent with a hint of lemon

17. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
pyrolysis
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
charcoal mellowed
10% a year

18. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
160 proof
Jicama
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
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

19. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof of...
Succulent
Industriel
120 proof
maturation profile

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.'
loral and fruity
Water
more than one distillery
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')

21. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
Cut the flower stalk
Rum
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

22. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
51% agave
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
charcoal mellowed
water of life

23. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
Industriel
only made in Ireland
2 years minimum
Kidney and bladder problems

24. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
more than one distillery
one year minimum
191.2 proof
loral and fruity

25. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
173F
Charcoal
warmer
Prior to fermentation

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

27. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
one year minimum
Evaporation and condensation
permit added caramel coloring
120 proof

28. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
Aguamiel
Coffee or wine
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

29. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
191.2 proof
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
45% alcohol by volume

30. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
Brouillis
t least one year
Charcoal
6--8 years

31. If labeled as '100% Agave' the tequila must be...
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
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
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
in any country; generic liqueur

32. Most barrel aged rums use...
Evaporation and condensation
pyrolysis
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Hemi-cellulose component

33. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
6--8 years
Brouillis
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

34. In tequila - the Lowlands region of the Valle de Tequila is noticeably ___________ than the Highlands.
warmer
Industriel
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
80--94

35. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
173F
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
in any country; generic liqueur

36. The process step in which the inulin is converted to fermentable sugars is called...
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
0.5% abv
more than one distillery
Hydrolysis

37. The global definition for whiskey is...
in any country; generic liqueur
Tahona
Bottled in Bond
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

38. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
warmer
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Grains

39. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
Pina
one year minimum
Compounding
maturation profile

40. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
varietal-specific brandies
Dissolve or melt
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
45% alcohol by volume

41. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
charcoal mellowed
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Pineau de Charentes

42. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Grapes/Fruits
Full-bodied and pungent
to drink

43. 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
marc
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Grapes/Fruits

44. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
160 proof

45. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
Heart
173F
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
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

46. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
maturation profile
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Kidney and bladder problems

47. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
Prior to fermentation
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Evaporation and condensation
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

48. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
The Caribbean Islands
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).

49. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
51% agave
Succulent
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

50. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
173F
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
maturation profile
Rum