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. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
in any country; generic liqueur
Evaporation and condensation
Blackthorn Plum
3 years

2. Rum may be made from...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
warmer
Charcoal

3. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof of...
maturation profile
The Caribbean Islands
120 proof
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

4. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
pyrolysis
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Blackthorn Plum

5. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
191.2 proof
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
Succulent

6. In tequila - the Lowlands region of the Valle de Tequila is noticeably ___________ than the Highlands.
warmer
Aguamiel
45% alcohol by volume
Prior to fermentation

7. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
160 proof
Evaporation and condensation
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Barley

8. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
column/pot combination still
The Caribbean Islands
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

9. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
Fewer congeners
173F
one year minimum
Full-bodied and pungent

10. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
London Dry gin
Compounding
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
permit added caramel coloring

11. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
Blackthorn Plum
Grapes/Fruits
water of life
maturation profile

12. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
Coffee or wine
only made in Ireland
More full-bodied
varietal-specific brandies

13. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
Industriel
10% a year
loral and fruity
Noble

14. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
water of life

15. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
Noble
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
t least one year
Curacao

16. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
column/pot combination still
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Full-bodied and pungent
warmer

17. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
Coffee or wine
More full-bodied
varietal-specific brandies
Aguamiel

18. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
45% alcohol by volume
The Caribbean Islands
Water

19. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
The Triangle Trade
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
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

20. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Fuller-tasting rums
to drink
Hemi-cellulose component

21. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
50/50
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
only made in Ireland
173F

22. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
Prior to fermentation
Tahona
Heart
51% agave

23. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
Charcoal
Hydrolysis
marc
Fuller-tasting rums

24. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Fewer congeners

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

26. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
column/pot combination still
2 years minimum
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
The Caribbean Islands

27. Sambuca liqueur can be made...
Hemi-cellulose component
Pineau de Charentes
51% agave
in any country; generic liqueur

28. Congeners are...
Water
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
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
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

29. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
51% agave
Cut the flower stalk
Rum
to drink

30. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Grains
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

31. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
one year minimum
Kidney and bladder problems
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

32. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
Industriel
0.5% abv
pyrolysis
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

33. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
45% alcohol by volume
Industriel
decomposed plant matter
160 proof

34. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Blackthorn Plum
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
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

35. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
3 years
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
The Triangle Trade

36. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
160 proof
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.

37. In the U.S. - Brandy must achieve a minimum bottling of 80 proof (40% abv). In Europe - the minimum strength at bottling is...
Kidney and bladder problems
The Caribbean Islands
Pineau de Charentes
36% alcohol72 proof

38. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Compounding
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
50/50

39. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
Brouillis
Pineau de Charentes
80--94
column/pot combination still

40. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
permit added caramel coloring
Hydrolysis
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Evaporation and condensation

41. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
one year minimum
125 proof or less
2 years minimum

42. The term 'beverage' is derived from the Latin bibere - meaning...
2 years minimum
More full-bodied
Compounding
to drink

43. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
50/50
Kidney and bladder problems
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
column/pot combination still

44. European Union Brandy allows ______________
permit added caramel coloring
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Grains

45. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
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
Blackthorn Plum
more than one distillery
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

46. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
Holland or Belgium
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
The Triangle Trade
2 years minimum

47. Most barrel aged rums use...
Pineau de Charentes
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Grains
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

48. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Hydrolysis
Heart
0.5% abv

49. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
Jicama
Hemi-cellulose component
Barley
Holland or Belgium

50. 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?
maturation profile
Pina
125 proof or less
50/50