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 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
Dissolve or melt
varietal-specific brandies
Tahona
maturation profile

2. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
Kidney and bladder problems
Full-bodied and pungent
t least one year
in any country; generic liqueur

3. In Rum production - a finished product may be the result of...
Tahona
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
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
Compounding

4. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
Water
Cut the flower stalk
45% alcohol by volume
London Dry gin

5. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
decomposed plant matter
Compounding
in any country; generic liqueur
10% a year

6. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
only made in Ireland
45% alcohol by volume
More full-bodied
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).

7. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
Heart
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
one year minimum
Fuller-tasting rums

8. Which of the following is NOT a proprietary liqueur?
Hydrolysis
Curacao
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Charcoal

9. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
one year minimum
Brouillis
50/50
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

10. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Curacao
Dissolve or melt
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

11. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Evaporation and condensation
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
0.5% abv

12. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Hemi-cellulose component
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

13. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
Charcoal
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
Fuller-tasting rums

14. The term 'beverage' is derived from the Latin bibere - meaning...
Hydrolysis
only made in Ireland
Grapes/Fruits
to drink

15. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
water of life
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
36% alcohol72 proof

16. Which of the following is NOT a cold extraction method...
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
decomposed plant matter
Industriel
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

17. The primary flavoring agent for Sloe Gin is...
water of life
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
Blackthorn Plum
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

18. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
to drink
Fewer congeners
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Hemi-cellulose component

19. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
Industriel
Bottled in Bond
Pulque
London Dry gin

20. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
Holland or Belgium
Water
Dissolve or melt
Place of work

21. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
Curacao
maturation profile
Grains
t least one year

22. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
Dissolve or melt
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Pina
t least one year

23. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
Kidney and bladder problems
160 proof
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

24. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
one year minimum
Pina
Aguamiel
120 proof

25. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
The Triangle Trade

26. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
permit added caramel coloring
80--94
Aguamiel

27. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
3 years
51% agave

28. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
maturation profile
Cut the flower stalk
Fuller-tasting rums
Barley

29. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
Barley
Full-bodied and pungent
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
water of life

30. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
Full-bodied and pungent
Curacao
column/pot combination still
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

31. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
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
Brouillis
decomposed plant matter

32. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
The Caribbean Islands
London Dry gin
125 proof or less

33. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
Succulent
Full-bodied and pungent
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

34. Agave is one of the six primary areas of tequila flavor. Of the following five - which is NOT a primary source of flavor?...
Jicama
Barley
Compounding
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

35. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
Noble
Water
in any country; generic liqueur
Dissolve or melt

36. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
more than one distillery
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
pyrolysis
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

37. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
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
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Kidney and bladder problems
warmer

38. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
125 proof or less
Noble
51% agave
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

39. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
Rum
Compounding
160 proof
Pina

40. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Distiller's beer
2 years minimum
pyrolysis

41. A product listed as '90 Proof' would be equivalent to...
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
45% alcohol by volume
to drink
a solvent with a hint of lemon

42. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
173F
charcoal mellowed
Grapes/Fruits
Fewer congeners

43. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
Tahona
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
The Caribbean Islands
decomposed plant matter

44. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
Industriel
water of life
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
50/50

45. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
warmer
51% agave
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Coffee or wine

46. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
125 proof or less
173F
Industriel
Grains

47. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Cut the flower stalk
Heart
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

48. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
The Triangle Trade
warmer
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Fuller-tasting rums

49. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
Pineau de Charentes
45% alcohol by volume
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Holland or Belgium

50. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
160 proof
The Caribbean Islands
more than one distillery