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. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
The Triangle Trade
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Barley
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection

2. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
120 proof
Hydrolysis
loral and fruity

3. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
125 proof or less
Brouillis
Rum

4. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
varietal-specific brandies
Prior to fermentation
only made in Ireland
3 years

5. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
Prior to fermentation
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

6. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
191.2 proof
charcoal mellowed
Curacao
Pina

7. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
Water
Noble
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

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

9. 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?
Compounding
50/50
More full-bodied
Curacao

10. Rum may be made from...
36% alcohol72 proof
120 proof
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
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

11. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
Compounding
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
45% alcohol by volume
permit added caramel coloring

12. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
marc
2 years minimum
Full-bodied and pungent
column/pot combination still

13. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
Fuller-tasting rums
London Dry gin
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
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

14. 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.
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Heart
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

15. The primary flavoring agent for Sloe Gin is...
Blackthorn Plum
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Distiller's beer
Compounding

16. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
0.5% abv
191.2 proof
permit added caramel coloring

17. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
2 years minimum
Blackthorn Plum
Hydrolysis
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel

18. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
charcoal mellowed
173F
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Cut the flower stalk

19. A product listed as '90 Proof' would be equivalent to...
Brouillis
Kidney and bladder problems
45% alcohol by volume
Aguamiel

20. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
125 proof or less
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

21. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
160 proof
Dissolve or melt
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
maturation profile

22. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Evaporation and condensation
London Dry gin
Noble
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).

23. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
80--94
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.
London Dry gin

24. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
water of life
Distiller's beer

25. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
Charcoal
Grains
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Coffee or wine

26. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
Grains
191.2 proof
Place of work
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

27. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
10% a year
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Hydrolysis
Evaporation and condensation

28. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
one year minimum
The Caribbean Islands
water of life
Noble

29. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
Pulque
Water
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
only made in Ireland

30. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
loral and fruity
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
120 proof
Industriel

31. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
water of life
Curacao
51% agave
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.

32. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
The Triangle Trade
The Caribbean Islands

33. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
Charcoal
more than one distillery
Jicama
t least one year

34. Non-alcoholic beverages - such as beer and wine may contain no more than_____ percent alcohol by Volume (abv).
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
0.5% abv
Fewer congeners
Cut the flower stalk

35. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
Fuller-tasting rums
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
permit added caramel coloring
Water

36. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
Industriel
173F
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
Pina

37. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Fewer congeners
Tahona
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
45% alcohol by volume

38. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
Grapes/Fruits
Evaporation and condensation
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
More full-bodied

39. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
More full-bodied
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
2 years minimum
160 proof

40. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Succulent
Full-bodied and pungent
Jicama
Pineau de Charentes

41. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
Water
Grains
only made in Ireland
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

42. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
London Dry gin
Water
51% agave

43. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
6--8 years
in any country; generic liqueur

44. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
Holland or Belgium
t least one year
loral and fruity
London Dry gin

45. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
51% agave
Blackthorn Plum
Coffee or wine
London Dry gin

46. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
Prior to fermentation
varietal-specific brandies
warmer
Full-bodied and pungent

47. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
Noble
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
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

48. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
36% alcohol72 proof
Full-bodied and pungent
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.

49. Agave is one of the six primary areas of tequila flavor. Of the following five - which is NOT a primary source of flavor?...
Pulque
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Jicama
More full-bodied

50. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
permit added caramel coloring
Pulque
3 years
Blackthorn Plum