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. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
6--8 years
marc
Tahona
Kidney and bladder problems

2. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
column/pot combination still
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
Pineau de Charentes

3. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
125 proof or less
Blackthorn Plum
water of life
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

4. Non-alcoholic beverages - such as beer and wine may contain no more than_____ percent alcohol by Volume (abv).
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Fewer congeners
80--94
0.5% abv

5. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Pulque
water of life
marc

6. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
loral and fruity
Bottled in Bond
Grapes/Fruits
Succulent

7. Which of the following is NOT a proprietary liqueur?
51% agave
Curacao
Cut the flower stalk
Place of work

8. 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
160 proof
51% agave
Aguamiel

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

10. A product listed as '90 Proof' would be equivalent to...
Grapes/Fruits
45% alcohol by volume
Hemi-cellulose component
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

11. In tequila - the Lowlands region of the Valle de Tequila is noticeably ___________ than the Highlands.
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
warmer
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
pyrolysis

12. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Evaporation and condensation
36% alcohol72 proof
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

13. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
173F
more than one distillery
Hemi-cellulose component
Holland or Belgium

14. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof of...
120 proof
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Place of work

15. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
50/50
a solvent with a hint of lemon

16. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
Barley
London Dry gin
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
t least one year

17. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
More full-bodied
one year minimum
t least one year
Grains

18. Most barrel aged rums use...
Dissolve or melt
Rum
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')

19. The global definition for whiskey is...
charcoal mellowed
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Holland or Belgium

20. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
to drink

21. Mexican law allows some finished tequilas to be...
Noble
varietal-specific brandies
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

22. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Fewer congeners
permit added caramel coloring
maturation profile
warmer

23. The initial distillation to separate alcohol vapors from water yields...

24. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
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
Evaporation and condensation

25. The term 'beverage' is derived from the Latin bibere - meaning...
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
to drink
Jicama
permit added caramel coloring

26. 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
marc
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
permit added caramel coloring

27. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Place of work
160 proof
Aguamiel

28. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
3 years
Curacao
45% alcohol by volume
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.

29. In Rum production - a finished product may be the result of...
160 proof
permit added caramel coloring
Barley
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

30. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
loral and fruity
one year minimum
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

31. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
Kidney and bladder problems
Brouillis
Hemi-cellulose component
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.

32. European Union Brandy allows ______________
Holland or Belgium
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
45% alcohol by volume
permit added caramel coloring

33. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
The Triangle Trade
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
to drink
51% agave

34. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
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
Brouillis
Industriel
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

35. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
0.5% abv
Jicama
a solvent with a hint of lemon

36. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
to drink
The Triangle Trade
Fewer congeners

37. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Aguamiel
water of life
Compounding

38. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
t least one year
Dissolve or melt
Fuller-tasting rums
one year minimum

39. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Pulque
50/50
Holland or Belgium

40. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Water
Blackthorn Plum
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

41. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
173F
column/pot combination still
Charcoal
Water

42. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
Jicama
Succulent
Heart
125 proof or less

43. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
Hydrolysis
Grapes/Fruits
Heart
Dissolve or melt

44. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
45% alcohol by volume
Tahona
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection

45. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
Charcoal
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
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Tahona

46. 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?
191.2 proof
50/50
Hemi-cellulose component
Prior to fermentation

47. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
warmer
191.2 proof
80--94
Aguamiel

48. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
2 years minimum
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
only made in Ireland
Dissolve or melt

49. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
10% a year
warmer
125 proof or less
Place of work

50. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
191.2 proof
Grains
Coffee or wine
Jicama