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. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
maturation profile
Brouillis
Blackthorn Plum

2. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Grains
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
permit added caramel coloring

3. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
Place of work
one year minimum
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
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.

4. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
Pina
Aguamiel
loral and fruity
Holland or Belgium

5. 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?
10% a year
Fewer congeners
50/50
marc

6. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
The Caribbean Islands
Grains
loral and fruity
decomposed plant matter

7. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
Kidney and bladder problems
Place of work
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
a solvent with a hint of lemon

8. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof of...
Succulent
Pineau de Charentes
Noble
120 proof

9. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
0.5% abv
45% alcohol by volume

10. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and 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
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Tahona
only made in Ireland

11. Sambuca liqueur can be made...
36% alcohol72 proof
120 proof
Brouillis
in any country; generic liqueur

12. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
125 proof or less
3 years
Full-bodied and pungent

13. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Water
More full-bodied

14. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
Holland or Belgium
Noble
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
Grains

15. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
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
varietal-specific brandies
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

16. The global definition for whiskey is...
51% agave
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
pyrolysis
0.5% abv

17. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
water of life
Compounding
6--8 years
Pineau de Charentes

18. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
pyrolysis
Place of work
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
0.5% abv

19. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
3 years
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
125 proof or less
2 years minimum

20. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
more than one distillery
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Grapes/Fruits
permit added caramel coloring

21. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
Place of work
51% agave
one year minimum
the age of the youngest rum in the blend

22. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Succulent
Hemi-cellulose component
a solvent with a hint of lemon

23. Non-alcoholic beverages - such as beer and wine may contain no more than_____ percent alcohol by Volume (abv).
Prior to fermentation
0.5% abv
Bottled in Bond
London Dry gin

24. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
160 proof
varietal-specific brandies
t least one year
more than one distillery

25. Mexican law allows some finished tequilas to be...
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
one year minimum
The Triangle Trade
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country

26. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
more than one distillery
36% alcohol72 proof
marc
Fewer congeners

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

28. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
in any country; generic liqueur
marc
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Charcoal

29. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Noble
Pineau de Charentes
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

30. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
160 proof
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Tahona
125 proof or less

31. The congener acetaldehyde in vodka would most likely produce aroma/flavor characteristics of...
Coffee or wine
Industriel
Brouillis
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

32. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
Hemi-cellulose component
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

33. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
marc
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Cut the flower stalk
45% alcohol by volume

34. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
one year minimum
Pulque
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel

35. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
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
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
The Caribbean Islands

36. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
Industriel
Water
warmer
Succulent

37. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
water of life
80--94
Barley
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

38. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
50/50
Rum
varietal-specific brandies
decomposed plant matter

39. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
Aguamiel
Holland or Belgium
column/pot combination still
Place of work

40. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
Evaporation and condensation
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
warmer
Brouillis

41. A product listed as '90 Proof' would be equivalent to...
45% alcohol by volume
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.

42. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
Compounding
column/pot combination still
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
191.2 proof

43. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
pyrolysis
125 proof or less
The Triangle Trade
maturation profile

44. European Union Brandy allows ______________
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
permit added caramel coloring
The Triangle Trade

45. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
191.2 proof
varietal-specific brandies
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

46. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
Pina
Barley
10% a year
Rum

47. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
loral and fruity
water of life
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

48. Most barrel aged rums use...
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
to drink
Pina

49. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
pyrolysis
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
in any country; generic liqueur
Succulent

50. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
125 proof or less
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Curacao