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. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Dissolve or melt
The Caribbean Islands
Distiller's beer

2. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Pineau de Charentes
Evaporation and condensation
80--94

3. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
Barley
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Compounding
The Triangle Trade

4. The congener acetaldehyde in vodka would most likely produce aroma/flavor characteristics of...
6--8 years
The Triangle Trade
Coffee or wine
Charcoal

5. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
The Triangle Trade
marc
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
t least one year

6. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
column/pot combination still
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Pina

7. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
Barley
50/50
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
More full-bodied

8. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
Evaporation and condensation
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
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

9. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
Tahona
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Aguamiel
a solvent with a hint of lemon

10. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
to drink
London Dry gin
Pineau de Charentes
Jicama

11. If labeled as '100% Agave' the tequila must be...
Pulque
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Pineau de Charentes
The Triangle Trade

12. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
loral and fruity
10% a year

13. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
Grains
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
The Caribbean Islands
warmer

14. European Union Brandy allows ______________
t least one year
0.5% abv
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
permit added caramel coloring

15. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
Aguamiel
t least one year
36% alcohol72 proof
125 proof or less

16. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
0.5% abv
Noble

17. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
one year minimum
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

18. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
Aguamiel
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Blackthorn Plum

19. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

20. Peat - which gives Scotch Whisky a distinctive smoky aroma and flavor is...
warmer
decomposed plant matter
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Barley

21. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
Jicama
column/pot combination still
Fuller-tasting rums
maturation profile

22. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
6--8 years
Kidney and bladder problems
t least one year
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

23. Most barrel aged rums use...
2 years minimum
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

24. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
45% alcohol by volume
Aguamiel
Curacao
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

25. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
Place of work
173F
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Curacao

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

27. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
Grains
51% agave
Holland or Belgium
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

28. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
Charcoal
only made in Ireland
173F
50/50

29. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
only made in Ireland
charcoal mellowed
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Prior to fermentation

30. The primary flavoring agent for Sloe Gin is...
pyrolysis
2 years minimum
Brouillis
Blackthorn Plum

31. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
Coffee or wine
50/50
Compounding
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

32. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
Heart
Prior to fermentation
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

33. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
Rum
Pina
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')

34. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
Grapes/Fruits
Fewer congeners
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

35. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Barley
Brouillis
Grains

36. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Pina
The Triangle Trade
Succulent
Hydrolysis

37. 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?
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
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
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
50/50

38. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
191.2 proof
water of life
Dissolve or melt
Prior to fermentation

39. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
191.2 proof
water of life
decomposed plant matter
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.

40. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
6--8 years
Industriel
Bottled in Bond
Fuller-tasting rums

41. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
120 proof
3 years
Jicama
Hydrolysis

42. Mexican law allows some finished tequilas to be...
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
charcoal mellowed
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country

43. Which of the following is NOT a proprietary liqueur?
Curacao
Distiller's beer
Evaporation and condensation
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

44. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
45% alcohol by volume
3 years
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
London Dry gin

45. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
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
one year minimum

46. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
10% a year
Aguamiel
More full-bodied
Evaporation and condensation

47. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
Distiller's beer
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Tahona
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

48. Bourbon whiskey produced at one distillery - during one distilling season - aged a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof - is called...
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Bottled in Bond
36% alcohol72 proof
2 years minimum

49. In the U.S. - Brandy must achieve a minimum bottling of 80 proof (40% abv). In Europe - the minimum strength at bottling is...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
36% alcohol72 proof
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Grapes/Fruits

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