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. Congeners are...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
loral and fruity
Fuller-tasting rums
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

2. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Rum
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Evaporation and condensation

3. Rum may be made from...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
160 proof
in any country; generic liqueur

4. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
10% a year
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
Heart
the age of the youngest rum in the blend

5. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
Bottled in Bond
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
loral and fruity

6. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
Noble
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Prior to fermentation
loral and fruity

7. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
Fuller-tasting rums
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Full-bodied and pungent
varietal-specific brandies

8. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof of...
120 proof
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Curacao
water of life

9. Peat - which gives Scotch Whisky a distinctive smoky aroma and flavor is...
Cut the flower stalk
pyrolysis
decomposed plant matter
Noble

10. In the U.S. - Brandy must achieve a minimum bottling of 80 proof (40% abv). In Europe - the minimum strength at bottling is...
36% alcohol72 proof
50/50
Jicama
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

11. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
Cut the flower stalk
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
London Dry gin

12. 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?
Aguamiel
51% agave
50/50
water of life

13. 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.)
Coffee or wine
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Evaporation and condensation

14. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
173F
varietal-specific brandies
Grapes/Fruits
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

15. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
warmer
London Dry gin
Hydrolysis
6--8 years

16. The primary flavoring agent for Sloe Gin is...
120 proof
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
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

17. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
Tahona
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Fewer congeners
charcoal mellowed

18. Which of the following is NOT a proprietary liqueur?
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Curacao
London Dry gin
marc

19. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Brouillis
one year minimum
191.2 proof

20. Non-alcoholic beverages - such as beer and wine may contain no more than_____ percent alcohol by Volume (abv).
125 proof or less
6--8 years
0.5% abv
Blackthorn Plum

21. The least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
6--8 years
2 years minimum
Compounding
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

22. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
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
Water
Noble

23. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
one year minimum
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
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
warmer

24. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
191.2 proof
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Aguamiel
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

25. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
Full-bodied and pungent
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Noble
Prior to fermentation

26. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
permit added caramel coloring
The Triangle Trade
Hydrolysis
0.5% abv

27. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
Barley
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

28. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Grapes/Fruits
173F
one year minimum

29. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Evaporation and condensation
charcoal mellowed

30. The process step in which the inulin is converted to fermentable sugars is called...
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Hydrolysis
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

31. 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
Jicama
Kidney and bladder problems
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

32. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
Compounding
Pina
Pineau de Charentes
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.

33. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
Cut the flower stalk
maturation profile
Industriel

34. The term 'beverage' is derived from the Latin bibere - meaning...
to drink
Charcoal
Aguamiel
marc

35. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
Aguamiel
column/pot combination still
45% alcohol by volume
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

36. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
The Triangle Trade
Pineau de Charentes
More full-bodied
Hydrolysis

37. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
Pineau de Charentes
Pulque
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
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

38. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Compounding
varietal-specific brandies
Rum

39. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
Succulent
Industriel
Barley
charcoal mellowed

40. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
Hemi-cellulose component
Fuller-tasting rums
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
2 years minimum

41. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
maturation profile
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
loral and fruity
London Dry gin

42. 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.
Hemi-cellulose component
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

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

44. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Industriel
Succulent
Coffee or wine
120 proof

45. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
charcoal mellowed
more than one distillery

46. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
Pulque
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
125 proof or less

47. Mexican law allows some finished tequilas to be...
The Caribbean Islands
Charcoal
173F
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country

48. The great majority of tequilas consumed outside of Mexico are termed...

49. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
80--94
Distiller's beer
Kidney and bladder problems
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

50. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
Water
Hemi-cellulose component
3 years
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel