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. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
Full-bodied and pungent
Rum
Water
120 proof

2. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Pina
Fuller-tasting rums
Evaporation and condensation
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

3. The primary flavoring agent for Sloe Gin is...
pyrolysis
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Blackthorn Plum

4. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
Grains
Noble
permit added caramel coloring
Jicama

5. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
125 proof or less
173F
Charcoal

6. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
column/pot combination still
10% a year
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

7. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
only made in Ireland
London Dry gin

8. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Grapes/Fruits
Pulque
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

9. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
Holland or Belgium
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Prior to fermentation
water of life

10. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
The Caribbean Islands

11. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Dissolve or melt
Kidney and bladder problems

12. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Coffee or wine
t least one year
marc

13. European Union Brandy allows ______________
permit added caramel coloring
Bottled in Bond
warmer
London Dry gin

14. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
191.2 proof
More full-bodied
3 years
Hemi-cellulose component

15. The process step in which the inulin is converted to fermentable sugars is called...
pyrolysis
50/50
Curacao
Hydrolysis

16. Most barrel aged rums use...
t least one year
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

17. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
36% alcohol72 proof
50/50
London Dry gin

18. Agave is one of the six primary areas of tequila flavor. Of the following five - which is NOT a primary source of flavor?...
varietal-specific brandies
Water
Jicama
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

19. Which of the following is NOT a cold extraction method...
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
173F
Grains

20. The global definition for whiskey is...
Cut the flower stalk
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Jicama
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

21. Which of the following is NOT a proprietary liqueur?
Curacao
125 proof or less
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection

22. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
Charcoal
charcoal mellowed
Succulent
36% alcohol72 proof

23. In the U.S. - Brandy must achieve a minimum bottling of 80 proof (40% abv). In Europe - the minimum strength at bottling is...
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
varietal-specific brandies
Kidney and bladder problems
36% alcohol72 proof

24. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
120 proof
80--94
loral and fruity
Pina

25. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
Rum
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Distiller's beer
Jicama

26. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
Heart
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Pineau de Charentes
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.

27. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
London Dry gin
Fewer congeners
Fuller-tasting rums
Succulent

28. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
to drink
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Industriel
Curacao

29. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
loral and fruity
The Triangle Trade
Kidney and bladder problems
Place of work

30. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
Fewer congeners
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
the age of the youngest rum in the blend

31. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
varietal-specific brandies
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
The Triangle Trade
More full-bodied

32. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
Prior to fermentation
Brouillis
Noble
Blackthorn Plum

33. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
Compounding
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
in any country; generic liqueur
Charcoal

34. If labeled as '100% Agave' the tequila must be...
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Succulent
120 proof
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

35. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
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
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
The Triangle Trade

36. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
warmer
Coffee or wine
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Fuller-tasting rums

37. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
160 proof
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
36% alcohol72 proof
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

38. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
Curacao
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Full-bodied and pungent
in any country; generic liqueur

39. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Aguamiel
water of life
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection

40. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Water
6--8 years
Place of work

41. 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?
one year minimum
50/50
warmer
80--94

42. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
permit added caramel coloring
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Pina
45% alcohol by volume

43. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
varietal-specific brandies
173F
191.2 proof

44. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof of...
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
3 years
maturation profile
120 proof

45. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
marc
191.2 proof
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
36% alcohol72 proof

46. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
Prior to fermentation
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Tahona
Place of work

47. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
maturation profile
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
t least one year
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.

48. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it 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
charcoal mellowed
80--94
maturation profile

49. The congener acetaldehyde in vodka would most likely produce aroma/flavor characteristics of...
London Dry gin
Coffee or wine
Charcoal
t least one year

50. Sambuca liqueur can be made...
t least one year
Distiller's beer
in any country; generic liqueur
Grains