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 primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Fuller-tasting rums
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Full-bodied and pungent

2. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
Kidney and bladder problems
Charcoal
Tahona
More full-bodied

3. The process step in which the inulin is converted to fermentable sugars is called...
50/50
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
one year minimum
Hydrolysis

4. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
3 years
80--94
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

5. European Union Brandy allows ______________
Compounding
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
permit added caramel coloring

6. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
Pineau de Charentes
160 proof
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Place of work

7. Peat - which gives Scotch Whisky a distinctive smoky aroma and flavor is...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Blackthorn Plum
more than one distillery
decomposed plant matter

8. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Brouillis
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
0.5% abv

9. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
6--8 years
Fewer congeners
Aguamiel
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')

10. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
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
Fewer congeners
36% alcohol72 proof
Noble

11. If labeled as '100% Agave' the tequila must be...
Curacao
0.5% abv
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

12. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Jicama
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Evaporation and condensation
Pina

13. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof of...
Tahona
120 proof
Noble
Fuller-tasting rums

14. In tequila - the Lowlands region of the Valle de Tequila is noticeably ___________ than the Highlands.
Hemi-cellulose component
warmer
to drink
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

15. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Barley
Charcoal
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

16. Congeners are...
maturation profile
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
a solvent with a hint of lemon
permit added caramel coloring

17. The global definition for whiskey is...
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
permit added caramel coloring
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
0.5% abv

18. 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?
50/50
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Noble
160 proof

19. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
column/pot combination still
Hydrolysis
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Water

20. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
Full-bodied and pungent
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
more than one distillery
water of life

21. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Heart
Coffee or wine
Place of work

22. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
maturation profile
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Bottled in Bond

23. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
London Dry gin
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

24. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
Pina
t least one year
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection

25. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
3 years
6--8 years
permit added caramel coloring
to drink

26. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
The Caribbean Islands
0.5% abv
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
column/pot combination still

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

28. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
3 years
Fewer congeners
Rum
45% alcohol by volume

29. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
Holland or Belgium
160 proof
Kidney and bladder problems
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

30. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
Curacao
Dissolve or melt
51% agave
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

31. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
Bottled in Bond
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Noble
Hemi-cellulose component

32. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Brouillis
Pina
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

33. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
Pulque
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Pineau de Charentes
charcoal mellowed

34. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
45% alcohol by volume
Coffee or wine
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
to drink

35. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
191.2 proof
More full-bodied
Dissolve or melt
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

36. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
Evaporation and condensation
Aguamiel
191.2 proof
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

37. The congener acetaldehyde in vodka would most likely produce aroma/flavor characteristics of...
Fewer congeners
Coffee or wine
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
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

38. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
The Caribbean Islands
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Holland or Belgium

39. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
Pineau de Charentes
one year minimum
decomposed plant matter
10% a year

40. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
Dissolve or melt
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Coffee or wine
2 years minimum

41. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
Pulque
Blackthorn Plum
125 proof or less
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

42. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
only made in Ireland
Grains
0.5% abv
More full-bodied

43. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Water
Prior to fermentation
36% alcohol72 proof

44. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
Barley
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Cut the flower stalk
191.2 proof

45. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
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
Place of work
water of life
in any country; generic liqueur

46. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
Aguamiel
173F
80--94
a solvent with a hint of lemon

47. Sambuca liqueur can be made...
column/pot combination still
in any country; generic liqueur
Pineau de Charentes
Curacao

48. Most barrel aged rums use...
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Hydrolysis
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
decomposed plant matter

49. Bourbon whiskey produced at one distillery - during one distilling season - aged a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof - is called...
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Cut the flower stalk
Bottled in Bond
Heart

50. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
Charcoal
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
maturation profile
a solvent with a hint of lemon