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 extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
Heart
The Caribbean Islands
160 proof
Aguamiel

2. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
varietal-specific brandies
marc
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

3. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
The Caribbean Islands
permit added caramel coloring
Full-bodied and pungent
Prior to fermentation

4. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
only made in Ireland
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Pulque
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

5. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
6--8 years
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
t least one year
Jicama

6. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
Holland or Belgium
London Dry gin
The Triangle Trade
Tahona

7. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Jicama
191.2 proof
Grains
Evaporation and condensation

8. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
3 years
Barley
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Place of work

9. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
Dissolve or melt
London Dry gin
10% a year
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

10. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
Distiller's beer
to drink
water of life
Kidney and bladder problems

11. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
Curacao
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
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

12. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
Place of work
Evaporation and condensation
50/50
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

13. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
London Dry gin
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
more than one distillery
The Triangle Trade

14. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
Fuller-tasting rums
Pineau de Charentes
Grains
Curacao

15. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
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
Jicama
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
173F

16. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
in any country; generic liqueur
Fewer congeners
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

17. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
one year minimum
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
loral and fruity

18. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
More full-bodied
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
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

19. The term 'beverage' is derived from the Latin bibere - meaning...
to drink
The Caribbean Islands
More full-bodied
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

20. In Rum production - a finished product may be the result of...
173F
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
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

21. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
The Triangle Trade
column/pot combination still
Tahona
Cut the flower stalk

22. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
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
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
maturation profile
pyrolysis

23. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Compounding
Kidney and bladder problems
in any country; generic liqueur

24. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Grains
Barley
0.5% abv

25. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
0.5% abv
Holland or Belgium
Curacao
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

26. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
Prior to fermentation
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Kidney and bladder problems
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel

27. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
column/pot combination still
Barley
Holland or Belgium
Water

28. If labeled as '100% Agave' the tequila must be...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Distiller's beer
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
the age of the youngest rum in the blend

29. 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
Succulent
6--8 years
191.2 proof

30. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
Hydrolysis
Dissolve or melt
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
water of life

31. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
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
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

32. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
to drink
160 proof
water of life

33. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
45% alcohol by volume
Distiller's beer
t least one year
Heart

34. Bourbon whiskey produced at one distillery - during one distilling season - aged a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof - is called...
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Bottled in Bond
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

35. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
more than one distillery
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Pineau de Charentes

36. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
varietal-specific brandies
t least one year
warmer
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection

37. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Noble
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

38. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
173F
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
120 proof
a solvent with a hint of lemon

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

40. Which of the following is NOT a cold extraction method...
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
varietal-specific brandies
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')

41. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
Distiller's beer
marc
80--94
Brouillis

42. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
Holland or Belgium
Tahona
Aguamiel
loral and fruity

43. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Hemi-cellulose component
Place of work
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

44. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
Grapes/Fruits
Blackthorn Plum
Charcoal
Kidney and bladder problems

45. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
Tahona
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Heart
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

46. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
80--94
3 years
Industriel

47. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
column/pot combination still
t least one year
Barley
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

48. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
51% agave
Hydrolysis
Compounding

49. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
80--94
Hydrolysis
Blackthorn Plum
51% agave

50. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
charcoal mellowed
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)