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. The global definition for whiskey is...
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Noble
The Caribbean Islands
191.2 proof

2. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
80--94
10% a year
125 proof or less

3. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
only made in Ireland
Evaporation and condensation
Aguamiel
Place of work

4. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
more than one distillery
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
water of life
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

5. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
191.2 proof
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Charcoal

6. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
varietal-specific brandies
191.2 proof
London Dry gin
0.5% abv

7. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
160 proof
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
120 proof
charcoal mellowed

8. A product listed as '90 Proof' would be equivalent to...
45% alcohol by volume
173F
Place of work
Water

9. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
varietal-specific brandies
permit added caramel coloring
The Triangle Trade
Charcoal

10. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
t least one year
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Water
Full-bodied and pungent

11. 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
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
More full-bodied
Grapes/Fruits

12. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and 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
The Triangle Trade
only made in Ireland
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

13. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
one year minimum
Kidney and bladder problems
maturation profile
Water

14. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
51% agave
Distiller's beer
in any country; generic liqueur

15. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
water of life
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Curacao
45% alcohol by volume

16. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Kidney and bladder problems
Rum

17. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
varietal-specific brandies
Barley
Full-bodied and pungent
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

18. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
173F
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
Jicama

19. 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
Hemi-cellulose component
pyrolysis
Hydrolysis

20. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
Pulque
Grapes/Fruits
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Pina

21. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
Aguamiel
to drink
Holland or Belgium
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection

22. Which of the following is NOT a cold extraction method...
Cut the flower stalk
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Pineau de Charentes
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

23. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
Kidney and bladder problems
Fuller-tasting rums
80--94
50/50

24. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
Bottled in Bond
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

25. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
The Caribbean Islands
Pina
pyrolysis
water of life

26. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
80--94
More full-bodied
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country

27. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
Grains
10% a year
80--94
more than one distillery

28. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
Water
Full-bodied and pungent
Rum
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country

29. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
Coffee or wine
Cut the flower stalk
maturation profile
charcoal mellowed

30. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
2 years minimum
charcoal mellowed
Kidney and bladder problems
Jicama

31. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
Compounding
Distiller's beer
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
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.

32. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
Bottled in Bond
Grains
water of life
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).

33. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
Hemi-cellulose component
varietal-specific brandies
Compounding
a solvent with a hint of lemon

34. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
10% a year
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
3 years

35. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Blackthorn Plum
Hemi-cellulose component
Distiller's beer

36. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
120 proof
varietal-specific brandies
to drink
Fuller-tasting rums

37. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Succulent
36% alcohol72 proof
10% a year
Aguamiel

38. The process step in which the inulin is converted to fermentable sugars is called...
Prior to fermentation
Distiller's beer
pyrolysis
Hydrolysis

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

40. Non-alcoholic beverages - such as beer and wine may contain no more than_____ percent alcohol by Volume (abv).
Hemi-cellulose component
Pulque
Cut the flower stalk
0.5% abv

41. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
45% alcohol by volume
3 years
Rum
in any country; generic liqueur

42. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
Curacao
charcoal mellowed
Holland or Belgium
Place of work

43. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Compounding
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country

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

45. 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?
to drink
50/50
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
decomposed plant matter

46. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
51% agave
maturation profile
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

47. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
in any country; generic liqueur
Tahona
Compounding
Curacao

48. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
45% alcohol by volume
Pina
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

49. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
Heart
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
Tahona
more than one distillery

50. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
80--94