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. Which of the following is NOT a cold extraction method...
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Kidney and bladder problems
Evaporation and condensation
only made in Ireland

2. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
51% agave
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Succulent

3. A product listed as '90 Proof' would be equivalent to...
Charcoal
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
45% alcohol by volume
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

4. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
column/pot combination still
Hydrolysis
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
decomposed plant matter

5. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
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.
Water
Prior to fermentation

6. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
80--94
warmer
Bottled in Bond
Compounding

7. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Fewer congeners
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
marc

8. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
charcoal mellowed
one year minimum
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

9. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
191.2 proof
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

10. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
3 years
Fewer congeners
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Barley

11. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
Pulque
36% alcohol72 proof
Prior to fermentation
The Triangle Trade

12. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
warmer
Full-bodied and pungent
Pina
one year minimum

13. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Grapes/Fruits
Fuller-tasting rums
marc

14. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Succulent
50/50

15. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
173F
London Dry gin
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country

16. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
more than one distillery
Coffee or wine
120 proof
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

17. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
Heart
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
Pineau de Charentes
London Dry gin

18. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
Coffee or wine
191.2 proof
in any country; generic liqueur
Barley

19. The term 'beverage' is derived from the Latin bibere - meaning...
6--8 years
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
to drink
Rum

20. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
Aguamiel
Pineau de Charentes
Place of work
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

21. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Water
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Evaporation and condensation
in any country; generic liqueur

22. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
Hemi-cellulose component
3 years
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.

23. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
Pina
Place of work
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

24. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
only made in Ireland
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
2 years minimum
warmer

25. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Pulque
a solvent with a hint of lemon
charcoal mellowed

26. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
51% agave
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
160 proof
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

27. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
in any country; generic liqueur
50/50
Cut the flower stalk
160 proof

28. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Tahona
Barley
Compounding

29. 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
Noble
160 proof
Curacao

30. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
Kidney and bladder problems
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Pina
Grains

31. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
45% alcohol by volume
More full-bodied
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Noble

32. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
Full-bodied and pungent
warmer
50/50
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

33. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
120 proof
Distiller's beer
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
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

34. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
Water
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Noble

35. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
Prior to fermentation
50/50
Jicama
160 proof

36. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
charcoal mellowed
maturation profile
120 proof
Grapes/Fruits

37. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
t least one year
6--8 years
Charcoal
Barley

38. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
160 proof
column/pot combination still
Compounding

39. Most barrel aged rums use...
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
50/50
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Grapes/Fruits

40. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
Succulent
Full-bodied and pungent
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
50/50

41. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
only made in Ireland
Evaporation and condensation
Prior to fermentation
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

42. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
45% alcohol by volume
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
Brouillis
varietal-specific brandies

43. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
120 proof
only made in Ireland
varietal-specific brandies
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

44. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
The Triangle Trade
Tahona
80--94
Kidney and bladder problems

45. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Full-bodied and pungent
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Brouillis

46. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
loral and fruity
Heart
3 years
2 years minimum

47. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Hemi-cellulose component
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Pina

48. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
6--8 years
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
a solvent with a hint of lemon
36% alcohol72 proof

49. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
Coffee or wine
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Aguamiel
Distiller's beer

50. Rum may be made from...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Grains
more than one distillery
Heart