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. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
Grapes/Fruits
Aguamiel
Prior to fermentation
more than one distillery

2. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
Cut the flower stalk
water of life
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

3. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
Brouillis
Rum
Aguamiel
water of life

4. Rum may be made from...
0.5% abv
Distiller's beer
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

5. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
permit added caramel coloring
Jicama
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
t least one year

6. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
51% agave
Evaporation and condensation
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

7. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
water of life
Hemi-cellulose component

8. In Rum production - a finished product may be the result of...
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
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
The Caribbean Islands
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')

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

10. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
pyrolysis
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
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

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

12. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
more than one distillery
36% alcohol72 proof
maturation profile
marc

13. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
maturation profile
3 years
varietal-specific brandies
191.2 proof

14. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
t least one year
Full-bodied and pungent

15. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
More full-bodied
Brouillis
160 proof
Distiller's beer

16. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
Pineau de Charentes
Grains
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

17. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Industriel
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
charcoal mellowed

18. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
191.2 proof
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Dissolve or melt
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

19. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Tahona
Pina
45% alcohol by volume

20. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
The Caribbean Islands
water of life
Noble
Pina

21. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
45% alcohol by volume
Charcoal
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

22. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
one year minimum
Pina
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

23. The process step in which the inulin is converted to fermentable sugars is called...
Hydrolysis
London Dry gin
Charcoal
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

24. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
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
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
permit added caramel coloring
Place of work

25. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
warmer
pyrolysis
Curacao
Rum

26. In the U.S. - Brandy must achieve a minimum bottling of 80 proof (40% abv). In Europe - the minimum strength at bottling is...
one year minimum
warmer
more than one distillery
36% alcohol72 proof

27. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
Kidney and bladder problems
water of life
125 proof or less
Hemi-cellulose component

28. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
decomposed plant matter
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Pineau de Charentes
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

29. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
a solvent with a hint of lemon
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Cut the flower stalk

30. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
Rum
charcoal mellowed
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Full-bodied and pungent

31. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
Full-bodied and pungent
Blackthorn Plum
Grapes/Fruits
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

32. A product listed as '90 Proof' would be equivalent to...
Bottled in Bond
45% alcohol by volume
permit added caramel coloring
Holland or Belgium

33. 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
173F
charcoal mellowed
permit added caramel coloring

34. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Heart
Evaporation and condensation

35. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
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
column/pot combination still
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

36. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Fewer congeners
Curacao
a solvent with a hint of lemon
6--8 years

37. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
Fuller-tasting rums
2 years minimum
Blackthorn Plum
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

38. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
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
80--94
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
10% a year

39. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
51% agave
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Barley
only made in Ireland

40. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
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
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Compounding
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

41. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
decomposed plant matter
London Dry gin
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')

42. Sambuca liqueur can be made...
in any country; generic liqueur
Industriel
Noble
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.

43. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Heart
The Caribbean Islands
Compounding

44. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
Succulent
Grains
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

45. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
pyrolysis
charcoal mellowed
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Barley

46. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
warmer
maturation profile
Jicama

47. Congeners are...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

48. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
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
160 proof
Grains
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

49. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Brouillis
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Succulent

50. The congener acetaldehyde in vodka would most likely produce aroma/flavor characteristics of...
Bottled in Bond
Fuller-tasting rums
The Triangle Trade
Coffee or wine