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 origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
The Caribbean Islands
Pina
173F
Hemi-cellulose component

2. Peat - which gives Scotch Whisky a distinctive smoky aroma and flavor is...
decomposed plant matter
marc
50/50
Fuller-tasting rums

3. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
charcoal mellowed
loral and fruity
Kidney and bladder problems
a solvent with a hint of lemon

4. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
3 years
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Heart
Water

5. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
160 proof
one year minimum
191.2 proof

6. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
Heart
51% agave
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
80--94

7. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
Aguamiel
80--94
marc
Charcoal

8. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
Fuller-tasting rums
The Triangle Trade
120 proof
the age of the youngest rum in the blend

9. Sambuca liqueur can be made...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
in any country; generic liqueur
more than one distillery
warmer

10. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
permit added caramel coloring
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
125 proof or less
Fewer congeners

11. A product listed as '90 Proof' would be equivalent to...
Barley
Pineau de Charentes
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
45% alcohol by volume

12. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
6--8 years
More full-bodied
Curacao
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel

13. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
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 Triangle Trade
Water
permit added caramel coloring

14. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Fewer congeners
Place of work

15. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
decomposed plant matter
Grapes/Fruits

16. Mexican law allows some finished tequilas to be...
6--8 years
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.
191.2 proof

17. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
160 proof
80--94
2 years minimum

18. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Fewer congeners
Hydrolysis
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).

19. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
only made in Ireland

20. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
191.2 proof
3 years
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Grains

21. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
only made in Ireland
10% a year
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

22. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
Succulent
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
one year minimum
Prior to fermentation

23. The global definition for whiskey is...
permit added caramel coloring
Full-bodied and pungent
Bottled in Bond
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

24. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
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
Industriel

25. 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
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
45% alcohol by volume
Place of work

26. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
More full-bodied
Hydrolysis
Charcoal
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

27. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
Grapes/Fruits
Water
Cut the flower stalk
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')

28. Which of the following is NOT a proprietary liqueur?
120 proof
Curacao
Kidney and bladder problems
More full-bodied

29. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Tahona
Fewer congeners
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
t least one year

30. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Compounding
Rum
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

31. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
6--8 years
column/pot combination still
decomposed plant matter
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

32. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
to drink
Brouillis
Heart
Rum

33. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
Pina
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

34. 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
Holland or Belgium
Pineau de Charentes
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

35. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Kidney and bladder problems
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
51% agave

36. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' 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
173F
maturation profile
Dissolve or melt

37. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
Coffee or wine
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
125 proof or less
The Triangle Trade

38. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
3 years
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 age of the youngest rum in the blend
80--94

39. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
Full-bodied and pungent
The Caribbean Islands
permit added caramel coloring
only made in Ireland

40. 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?
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
120 proof
50/50
charcoal mellowed

41. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
Place of work
More full-bodied
Pina
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection

42. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Bottled in Bond
Coffee or wine
Jicama
Evaporation and condensation

43. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
one year minimum
pyrolysis
Blackthorn Plum
Prior to fermentation

44. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Prior to fermentation
Holland or Belgium
36% alcohol72 proof

45. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
Rum
Kidney and bladder problems
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
More full-bodied

46. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
London Dry gin
varietal-specific brandies
in any country; generic liqueur
loral and fruity

47. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
191.2 proof
Heart
only made in Ireland
decomposed plant matter

48. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
more than one distillery
Rum
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

49. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
10% a year
Grains
50/50
6--8 years

50. Non-alcoholic beverages - such as beer and wine may contain no more than_____ percent alcohol by Volume (abv).
0.5% abv
water of life
Bottled in Bond
Jicama