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. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
36% alcohol72 proof
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
column/pot combination still

2. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
one year minimum
2 years minimum
maturation profile
Evaporation and condensation

3. In Rum production - a finished product may be the result of...
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
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

4. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
Grapes/Fruits
maturation profile
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
in any country; generic liqueur

5. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
Grapes/Fruits
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Tahona
one year minimum

6. 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.)
36% alcohol72 proof
Full-bodied and pungent
The Triangle Trade

7. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Fewer congeners
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Hemi-cellulose component
Hydrolysis

8. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
80--94
Pulque
permit added caramel coloring
Aguamiel

9. Which of the following is NOT a proprietary liqueur?
Dissolve or melt
Kidney and bladder problems
Curacao
Cut the flower stalk

10. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
Noble
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Aguamiel
173F

11. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Water
50/50
10% a year

12. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
Blackthorn Plum
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Grapes/Fruits
Cut the flower stalk

13. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
125 proof or less
Pineau de Charentes
Pulque
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

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

15. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
191.2 proof
Hydrolysis
Succulent
Pineau de Charentes

16. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
Noble
column/pot combination still
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

17. Peat - which gives Scotch Whisky a distinctive smoky aroma and flavor is...
Brouillis
The Triangle Trade
decomposed plant matter
permit added caramel coloring

18. The primary flavoring agent for Sloe Gin is...
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
Blackthorn Plum
120 proof
decomposed plant matter

19. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
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
Evaporation and condensation

20. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
2 years minimum
Jicama
Water

21. Most barrel aged rums use...
Succulent
loral and fruity
Noble
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

22. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
only made in Ireland
Pulque
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Coffee or wine

23. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
The Caribbean Islands
Pulque
more than one distillery
charcoal mellowed

24. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).

25. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
Place of work
Noble
Rum
maturation profile

26. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
one year minimum
in any country; generic liqueur
The Triangle Trade
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

27. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
Compounding
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Distiller's beer

28. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
Heart
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Bottled in Bond
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

29. The global definition for whiskey is...
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Evaporation and condensation
loral and fruity

30. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
Dissolve or melt
Bottled in Bond
Holland or Belgium
marc

31. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Bottled in Bond
125 proof or less
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Succulent

32. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
t least one year
Evaporation and condensation
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Coffee or wine

33. The process step in which the inulin is converted to fermentable sugars is called...
only made in Ireland
Blackthorn Plum
Cut the flower stalk
Hydrolysis

34. 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
one year minimum
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country

35. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof of...
Noble
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
120 proof
marc

36. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
London Dry gin
80--94
Pulque

37. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
125 proof or less
marc
loral and fruity
Pina

38. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
173F
only made in Ireland
The Caribbean Islands
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

39. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
maturation profile
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
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
Blackthorn Plum

40. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
in any country; generic liqueur
Pina

41. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
Grapes/Fruits
The Triangle Trade
water of life
Tahona

42. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
Curacao
loral and fruity
The Caribbean Islands
Full-bodied and pungent

43. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
Hemi-cellulose component
173F
The Caribbean Islands
column/pot combination still

44. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
Pulque
Tahona
36% alcohol72 proof
2 years minimum

45. Which of the following is NOT a cold extraction method...
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Pulque
Heart
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

46. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
in any country; generic liqueur
36% alcohol72 proof
Grapes/Fruits
water of life

47. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
Dissolve or melt
Evaporation and condensation
Rum
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

48. The congener acetaldehyde in vodka would most likely produce aroma/flavor characteristics of...
Coffee or wine
only made in Ireland
Blackthorn Plum
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

49. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
warmer
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
3 years
Cut the flower stalk

50. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
2 years minimum
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
Bottled in Bond
more than one distillery