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. 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
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Curacao
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

2. European Union Brandy allows ______________
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
to drink
permit added caramel coloring
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

3. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
Pineau de Charentes
Charcoal
Compounding
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.

4. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
10% a year
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
Blackthorn Plum
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

5. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Water
Place of work
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.

6. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
Prior to fermentation
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
marc
Pineau de Charentes

7. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
51% agave
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

8. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
Grains
one year minimum
Industriel
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

9. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
6--8 years
column/pot combination still
Coffee or wine
160 proof

10. Non-alcoholic beverages - such as beer and wine may contain no more than_____ percent alcohol by Volume (abv).
0.5% abv
Coffee or wine
Charcoal
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

11. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
36% alcohol72 proof
Fewer congeners
Hydrolysis

12. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
marc
191.2 proof
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

13. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
Prior to fermentation
only made in Ireland
Coffee or wine
The Caribbean Islands

14. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
one year minimum
maturation profile
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

15. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
to drink
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
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Industriel

16. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
Industriel
173F
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

17. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer 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 age of the youngest rum in the blend
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
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

18. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
191.2 proof
6--8 years

19. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
loral and fruity
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
more than one distillery
160 proof

20. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
column/pot combination still
Grains
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Jicama

21. Sambuca liqueur can be made...
Holland or Belgium
Prior to fermentation
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
in any country; generic liqueur

22. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
45% alcohol by volume
2 years minimum
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

23. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
More full-bodied
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
50/50
Evaporation and condensation

24. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
Hydrolysis
Industriel
Cut the flower stalk
warmer

25. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
0.5% abv
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Grains
Charcoal

26. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
More full-bodied
charcoal mellowed
Barley
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

27. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
Cut the flower stalk
Pineau de Charentes
Distiller's beer
51% agave

28. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
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
water of life
Place of work

29. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
Evaporation and condensation
Charcoal
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
the age of the youngest rum in the blend

30. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
more than one distillery
173F
6--8 years
Rum

31. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
maturation profile
Holland or Belgium
Noble
191.2 proof

32. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
loral and fruity
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
125 proof or less
varietal-specific brandies

33. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
Hemi-cellulose component
Distiller's beer
varietal-specific brandies
Pina

34. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
decomposed plant matter
2 years minimum
The Triangle Trade
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

35. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
Succulent
The Triangle Trade
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

36. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
only made in Ireland

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

38. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
The Caribbean Islands
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
pyrolysis
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

39. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
3 years
45% alcohol by volume
Grapes/Fruits
Place of work

40. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
Kidney and bladder problems
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
The Caribbean Islands
Pulque

41. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
51% agave
Curacao
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
one year minimum

42. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
more than one distillery
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Cut the flower stalk
Kidney and bladder problems

43. If labeled as '100% Agave' the tequila must be...
in any country; generic liqueur
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
160 proof

44. Which of the following is NOT a cold extraction method...
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Distiller's beer
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
191.2 proof

45. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
water of life
6--8 years
Industriel
Tahona

46. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
loral and fruity
80--94
t least one year
to drink

47. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
Noble
in any country; generic liqueur
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Jicama

48. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
10% a year
0.5% abv
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
The Triangle Trade

49. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Succulent
80--94
charcoal mellowed

50. In Rum production - a finished product may be the result of...
3 years
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
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