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. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Heart
Pineau de Charentes
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

2. The global definition for whiskey is...
Pulque
The Triangle Trade
warmer
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

3. Bourbon whiskey produced at one distillery - during one distilling season - aged a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof - is called...
173F
water of life
Hydrolysis
Bottled in Bond

4. Which of the following is NOT a proprietary liqueur?
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
80--94
The Triangle Trade
Curacao

5. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
in any country; generic liqueur
45% alcohol by volume
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

6. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
varietal-specific brandies
Kidney and bladder problems
Compounding
More full-bodied

7. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
marc
loral and fruity
Curacao

8. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Fewer congeners
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Fuller-tasting rums
t least one year

9. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
Hydrolysis
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Hemi-cellulose component
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.

10. In the U.S. - Brandy must achieve a minimum bottling of 80 proof (40% abv). In Europe - the minimum strength at bottling is...
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
36% alcohol72 proof
decomposed plant matter
Evaporation and condensation

11. 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?
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Hydrolysis
10% a year
50/50

12. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
80--94
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel

13. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
Place of work
Fewer congeners
Aguamiel
2 years minimum

14. Sambuca liqueur can be made...
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
Holland or Belgium
in any country; generic liqueur

15. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
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
pyrolysis
Grains
36% alcohol72 proof

16. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
varietal-specific brandies
Cut the flower stalk
The Caribbean Islands

17. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
160 proof
pyrolysis
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.

18. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
only made in Ireland
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
column/pot combination still
in any country; generic liqueur

19. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
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

20. European Union Brandy allows ______________
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Kidney and bladder problems
permit added caramel coloring

21. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
Full-bodied and pungent
160 proof
Noble
173F

22. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Blackthorn Plum
Pina
Distiller's beer

23. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
Charcoal
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
London Dry gin
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

24. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
160 proof
a solvent with a hint of lemon
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
More full-bodied

25. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
Cut the flower stalk
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Evaporation and condensation
3 years

26. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
6--8 years
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
Coffee or wine

27. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
Pulque
Jicama
Fewer congeners
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

28. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
2 years minimum
Noble
pyrolysis
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')

29. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
varietal-specific brandies
loral and fruity
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Heart

30. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Dissolve or melt
125 proof or less
3 years

31. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
Cut the flower stalk
one year minimum
maturation profile
The Triangle Trade

32. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
Pina
decomposed plant matter
a solvent with a hint of lemon
More full-bodied

33. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
Evaporation and condensation
0.5% abv
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
125 proof or less

34. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
Kidney and bladder problems
water of life
Place of work
10% a year

35. The congener acetaldehyde in vodka would most likely produce aroma/flavor characteristics of...
Coffee or wine
125 proof or less
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
3 years

36. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
to drink
only made in Ireland
191.2 proof
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country

37. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
maturation profile
Cut the flower stalk
Tahona
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

38. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Full-bodied and pungent
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Pina

39. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
Compounding
More full-bodied
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
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

40. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
Jicama
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
Curacao
London Dry gin

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

42. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
only made in Ireland
Grapes/Fruits
Brouillis
varietal-specific brandies

43. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
3 years
loral and fruity
Succulent
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

44. Agave is one of the six primary areas of tequila flavor. Of the following five - which is NOT a primary source of flavor?...
125 proof or less
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
Jicama
50/50

45. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
Barley
Evaporation and condensation
water of life
Dissolve or melt

46. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
160 proof
More full-bodied
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
10% a year

47. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
marc
36% alcohol72 proof
London Dry gin
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).

48. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
The Triangle Trade
36% alcohol72 proof
51% agave
warmer

49. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
charcoal mellowed

50. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
t least one year
Curacao
Fewer congeners