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. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
one year minimum
marc
Industriel
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

2. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
The Caribbean Islands
Full-bodied and pungent
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

3. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
10% a year
Blackthorn Plum
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

4. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
Blackthorn Plum
Pineau de Charentes
Place of work
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel

5. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
Industriel
Kidney and bladder problems
Hemi-cellulose component
in any country; generic liqueur

6. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Holland or Belgium
Pina
maturation profile

7. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
Succulent
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Place of work
more than one distillery

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

9. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
warmer
Barley
Place of work
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

10. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
more than one distillery
The Caribbean Islands
2 years minimum
The Triangle Trade

11. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
More full-bodied
Bottled in Bond
Noble
Holland or Belgium

12. Peat - which gives Scotch Whisky a distinctive smoky aroma and flavor is...
decomposed plant matter
Coffee or wine
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Fewer congeners

13. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
More full-bodied
Bottled in Bond
to drink
Place of work

14. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
Holland or Belgium
0.5% abv
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Prior to fermentation

15. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
Dissolve or melt
to drink
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
London Dry gin

16. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
Aguamiel
The Triangle Trade
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
a solvent with a hint of lemon

17. The process step in which the inulin is converted to fermentable sugars is called...
Hydrolysis
173F
Kidney and bladder problems
warmer

18. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

19. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
45% alcohol by volume
t least one year
Pina
173F

20. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
Heart
Brouillis
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Hydrolysis

21. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
t least one year
6--8 years
Pina
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

22. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
0.5% abv
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Pulque
Cut the flower stalk

23. Agave is one of the six primary areas of tequila flavor. Of the following five - which is NOT a primary source of flavor?...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Jicama
Fuller-tasting rums
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

24. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
Compounding
in any country; generic liqueur
51% agave
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

25. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
one year minimum
Hemi-cellulose component
Succulent
Industriel

26. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
maturation profile
Charcoal
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Barley

27. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
Prior to fermentation
Pulque
in any country; generic liqueur
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

28. In tequila - the Lowlands region of the Valle de Tequila is noticeably ___________ than the Highlands.
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
warmer
3 years
water of life

29. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
Fuller-tasting rums
173F
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
The Caribbean Islands

30. Which of the following is NOT a cold extraction method...
Tahona
173F
water of life
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

31. The primary flavoring agent for Sloe Gin is...
Pulque
Blackthorn Plum
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
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. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
charcoal mellowed
Cut the flower stalk
The Caribbean Islands
Pulque

33. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
0.5% abv
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
10% a year

34. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
Heart
Place of work
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
marc

35. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
one year minimum
maturation profile
water of life
varietal-specific brandies

36. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
only made in Ireland
column/pot combination still
Rum
Noble

37. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
Bottled in Bond
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Rum
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

38. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
The Triangle Trade
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
maturation profile
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

39. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
Pina
Compounding
London Dry gin
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

40. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
Noble
Place of work
Succulent
marc

41. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
The Caribbean Islands
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Water
Full-bodied and pungent

42. Sambuca liqueur can be made...
125 proof or less
in any country; generic liqueur
Tahona
Pulque

43. European Union Brandy allows ______________
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Holland or Belgium
permit added caramel coloring
water of life

44. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
column/pot combination still
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
2 years minimum
Fewer congeners

45. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
Fewer congeners
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Bottled in Bond
The Caribbean Islands

46. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
More full-bodied
Aguamiel
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

47. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Holland or Belgium
maturation profile
Evaporation and condensation
pyrolysis

48. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
only made in Ireland
Grapes/Fruits
London Dry gin
80--94

49. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
45% alcohol by volume
varietal-specific brandies
Fuller-tasting rums
Holland or Belgium

50. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
decomposed plant matter
191.2 proof
Blackthorn Plum
0.5% abv