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. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
6--8 years
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Noble

2. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
Curacao
t least one year
The Caribbean Islands
pyrolysis

3. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
Industriel
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Noble
t least one year

4. Peat - which gives Scotch Whisky a distinctive smoky aroma and flavor is...
Kidney and bladder problems
decomposed plant matter
pyrolysis
Industriel

5. In Rum production - a finished product may be the result of...
Fuller-tasting rums
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
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
maturation profile

6. The term 'beverage' is derived from the Latin bibere - meaning...
to drink
Charcoal
Fewer congeners
Barley

7. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Heart
Evaporation and condensation
173F
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

8. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
Industriel
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
6--8 years
80--94

9. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
Fewer congeners
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Water
Cut the flower stalk

10. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Succulent
36% alcohol72 proof
varietal-specific brandies
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

11. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
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
Distiller's beer
Grains
Tahona

12. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
Curacao
Dissolve or melt
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
36% alcohol72 proof

13. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
loral and fruity
Aguamiel
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
120 proof

14. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
Pineau de Charentes
Bottled in Bond
The Caribbean Islands
Hemi-cellulose component

15. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
loral and fruity
Pulque
varietal-specific brandies
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

16. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Hemi-cellulose component
6--8 years
maturation profile

17. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
Charcoal
6--8 years
Grapes/Fruits
36% alcohol72 proof

18. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
120 proof
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Pina

19. The congener acetaldehyde in vodka would most likely produce aroma/flavor characteristics of...
Hydrolysis
water of life
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Coffee or wine

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

21. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
London Dry gin
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
191.2 proof
Distiller's beer

22. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
only made in Ireland
Industriel
191.2 proof
maturation profile

23. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
Rum
173F
2 years minimum
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

24. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
marc
more than one distillery
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

25. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
Distiller's beer
more than one distillery
Rum
Grains

26. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
Coffee or wine
173F
80--94
Brouillis

27. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
Grapes/Fruits
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Pulque
decomposed plant matter

28. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
Fuller-tasting rums
Cut the flower stalk
Dissolve or melt
Prior to fermentation

29. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
51% agave
Grains
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Place of work

30. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
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
Kidney and bladder problems
Pulque
125 proof or less

31. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof of...
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
173F
120 proof
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

32. 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?
decomposed plant matter
50/50
Blackthorn Plum
maturation profile

33. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
6--8 years
51% agave
Holland or Belgium
a solvent with a hint of lemon

34. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
Pineau de Charentes
Tahona
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Brouillis

35. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
3 years
Charcoal
0.5% abv
Barley

36. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
173F
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Fewer congeners

37. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
Curacao
The Caribbean Islands
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
6--8 years

38. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
More full-bodied
decomposed plant matter

39. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Tahona
Rum
Water

40. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
a solvent with a hint of lemon
50/50
Charcoal
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

41. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
Noble
Bottled in Bond
in any country; generic liqueur
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

42. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Water
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

43. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
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
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Water

44. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
more than one distillery
Heart
marc
Barley

45. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
Distiller's beer
Hemi-cellulose component
The Caribbean Islands
varietal-specific brandies

46. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
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
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

47. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
warmer
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Compounding

48. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Full-bodied and pungent
Place of work
Hemi-cellulose component

49. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
Hemi-cellulose component
Kidney and bladder problems
London Dry gin
6--8 years

50. Which of the following is NOT a cold extraction method...
The Triangle Trade
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
water of life