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. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
Coffee or wine
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Heart
10% a year

2. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Full-bodied and pungent
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel

3. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Holland or Belgium
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
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

4. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
2 years minimum
173F
Industriel
6--8 years

5. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Fewer congeners
more than one distillery
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
in any country; generic liqueur

6. If labeled as '100% Agave' the tequila must be...
Full-bodied and pungent
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
36% alcohol72 proof

7. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
191.2 proof
to drink
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Compounding

8. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
water of life
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
3 years
160 proof

9. In Rum production - a finished product may be the result of...
Kidney and bladder problems
191.2 proof
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
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

10. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
column/pot combination still
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
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Pina

11. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
a solvent with a hint of lemon
3 years
Hydrolysis

12. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
160 proof
Noble
Hemi-cellulose component
Bottled in Bond

13. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
Pineau de Charentes
loral and fruity
Cut the flower stalk
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

14. The non-distilled beverage alcohol crafted from agave is called...
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
loral and fruity
Coffee or wine
Pulque

15. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
0.5% abv
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Curacao
Aguamiel

16. In the U.S. - Brandy must achieve a minimum bottling of 80 proof (40% abv). In Europe - the minimum strength at bottling is...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Evaporation and condensation
6--8 years
36% alcohol72 proof

17. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
London Dry gin
Hydrolysis
Charcoal

18. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Noble
to drink
Pineau de Charentes

19. Congeners are...
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
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Tahona
the age of the youngest rum in the blend

20. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
More full-bodied
Hydrolysis
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
Prior to fermentation

21. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
173F
More full-bodied
Fewer congeners
decomposed plant matter

22. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Heart
Evaporation and condensation
36% alcohol72 proof
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

23. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
Prior to fermentation
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Industriel
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

24. The term 'beverage' is derived from the Latin bibere - meaning...
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Tahona
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
to drink

25. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Hemi-cellulose component
Succulent

26. Most barrel aged rums use...
50/50
Holland or Belgium
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
3 years

27. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
Tahona
Succulent
51% agave
permit added caramel coloring

28. In tequila - the Lowlands region of the Valle de Tequila is noticeably ___________ than the Highlands.
warmer
Place of work
Hemi-cellulose component
Hydrolysis

29. Only Bourbob whiskey must be aged at...
120 proof
Evaporation and condensation
125 proof or less
pyrolysis

30. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
permit added caramel coloring
Dissolve or melt
charcoal mellowed
Noble

31. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
3 years
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Grains

32. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
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
London Dry gin
to drink
charcoal mellowed

33. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Grapes/Fruits
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

34. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
warmer
50/50
charcoal mellowed
Noble

35. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
loral and fruity
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
2 years minimum

36. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
column/pot combination still
Place of work
Grapes/Fruits
Full-bodied and pungent

37. European Union Brandy allows ______________
Rum
Pulque
permit added caramel coloring
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

38. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Distiller's beer
45% alcohol by volume
51% agave

39. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
Coffee or wine
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
more than one distillery

40. Agave is one of the six primary areas of tequila flavor. Of the following five - which is NOT a primary source of flavor?...
Water
Jicama
Hemi-cellulose component
Fuller-tasting rums

41. Bourbon whiskey produced at one distillery - during one distilling season - aged a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof - is called...
Pineau de Charentes
Full-bodied and pungent
36% alcohol72 proof
Bottled in Bond

42. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
permit added caramel coloring
more than one distillery
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

43. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
125 proof or less
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
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

44. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
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
a solvent with a hint of lemon
t least one year

45. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
loral and fruity
Fewer congeners
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Tahona

46. A product listed as '90 Proof' would be equivalent to...
varietal-specific brandies
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
120 proof
45% alcohol by volume

47. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
water of life
10% a year
marc
the age of the youngest rum in the blend

48. 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
120 proof
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country

49. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Place of work
Rum
3 years

50. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
Kidney and bladder problems
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Rum
Grains