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

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2. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Pulque
Kidney and bladder problems
decomposed plant matter

3. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
loral and fruity
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Aguamiel
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

4. Peat - which gives Scotch Whisky a distinctive smoky aroma and flavor is...
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
51% agave
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
decomposed plant matter

5. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
Compounding
Noble
173F
Hemi-cellulose component

6. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
Fewer congeners
The Caribbean Islands
Full-bodied and pungent
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

7. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
Water
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
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
charcoal mellowed

8. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
charcoal mellowed
10% a year
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

9. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
51% agave
Hemi-cellulose component
80--94
one year minimum

10. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
Noble
more than one distillery
Heart
pyrolysis

11. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
more than one distillery
marc
Holland or Belgium
Hemi-cellulose component

12. In the U.S. - Brandy must achieve a minimum bottling of 80 proof (40% abv). In Europe - the minimum strength at bottling is...
Coffee or wine
one year minimum
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
36% alcohol72 proof

13. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
Dissolve or melt
6--8 years
pyrolysis
125 proof or less

14. Rum may be made from...
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
The Triangle Trade
Dissolve or melt
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

15. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
Place of work
Water
London Dry gin
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

16. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
to drink
Fuller-tasting rums
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Tahona

17. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
10% a year
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
More full-bodied

18. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
Charcoal
Evaporation and condensation
The Caribbean Islands
Aguamiel

19. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
Hydrolysis
The Triangle Trade
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Compounding

20. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
marc
Compounding
Rum
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

21. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
in any country; generic liqueur
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
Aguamiel
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

22. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
warmer
Industriel
Barley

23. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
The Triangle Trade
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
50/50
decomposed plant matter

24. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Rum
a solvent with a hint of lemon
36% alcohol72 proof

25. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
maturation profile
Barley
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
t least one year

26. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
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
Grains
marc
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

27. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
80--94
Dissolve or melt
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')

28. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
Hemi-cellulose component
Blackthorn Plum
Jicama
125 proof or less

29. Agave is one of the six primary areas of tequila flavor. Of the following five - which is NOT a primary source of flavor?...
Coffee or wine
more than one distillery
permit added caramel coloring
Jicama

30. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Blackthorn Plum
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Fewer congeners
Compounding

31. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
Coffee or wine
Grains
Industriel
Pineau de Charentes

32. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
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
loral and fruity
Compounding
a solvent with a hint of lemon

33. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
pyrolysis
Pineau de Charentes
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Jicama

34. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Curacao
Water

35. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila 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
Kidney and bladder problems
3 years
pyrolysis

36. Mexican law allows some finished tequilas to be...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Distiller's beer
Hemi-cellulose component
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

37. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
160 proof
Curacao
Pina

38. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Cut the flower stalk
only made in Ireland
Jicama

39. 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?
3 years
50/50
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.

40. Congeners are...
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
The Triangle Trade
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
in any country; generic liqueur

41. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
Charcoal
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Water
Holland or Belgium

42. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Compounding
t least one year
Coffee or wine

43. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
loral and fruity
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
maturation profile
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

44. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
The Triangle Trade
6--8 years
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

45. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
The Triangle Trade
charcoal mellowed
Blackthorn Plum
The Caribbean Islands

46. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
Curacao
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Kidney and bladder problems
the age of the youngest rum in the blend

47. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof of...
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
Charcoal
120 proof
10% a year

48. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
warmer
Brouillis
The Triangle Trade
Charcoal

49. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Kidney and bladder problems

50. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
Grains
Water
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
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.