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. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
loral and fruity
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

2. The congener acetaldehyde in vodka would most likely produce aroma/flavor characteristics of...
London Dry gin
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
45% alcohol by volume
Coffee or wine

3. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
80--94

4. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Jicama
Kidney and bladder problems
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')

5. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
Pulque
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
6--8 years
marc

6. If a Rum is produced in the Agricole tradition - it must...
Rum
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Holland or Belgium
173F

7. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
charcoal mellowed
The Caribbean Islands
Cut the flower stalk
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

8. The historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
Hydrolysis
charcoal mellowed
The Triangle Trade
The Caribbean Islands

9. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
Heart
6--8 years
Water
varietal-specific brandies

10. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
Heart
Hydrolysis
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

11. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
45% alcohol by volume
Industriel
Dissolve or melt
Grapes/Fruits

12. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
2 years minimum
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Kidney and bladder problems
Industriel

13. In tequila - the Lowlands region of the Valle de Tequila is noticeably ___________ than the Highlands.
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
warmer
more than one distillery
Pineau de Charentes

14. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
Succulent
The Triangle Trade
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).

15. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
0.5% abv
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Dissolve or melt

16. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
36% alcohol72 proof
Pineau de Charentes
Distiller's beer
3 years

17. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Holland or Belgium
to drink
Tahona

18. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
only made in Ireland
The Caribbean Islands
Tahona
3 years

19. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
loral and fruity
Dissolve or melt
160 proof
Aguamiel

20. Armagnac may be the result of a single distillation in a...
Succulent
column/pot combination still
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Distiller's beer

21. If an American whiskey is labeled 'Straight' - what does that signify?
160 proof
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Evaporation and condensation
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

22. Non-alcoholic beverages - such as beer and wine may contain no more than_____ percent alcohol by Volume (abv).
125 proof or less
173F
0.5% abv
Place of work

23. In the U.S. - Brandy must achieve a minimum bottling of 80 proof (40% abv). In Europe - the minimum strength at bottling is...
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
36% alcohol72 proof
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
to drink

24. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
Barley
t least one year
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Grains

25. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Kidney and bladder problems
Succulent
marc

26. Which of the following is NOT a proprietary liqueur?
More full-bodied
permit added caramel coloring
Curacao
Prior to fermentation

27. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
Pina
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Holland or Belgium
3 years

28. Gin requires an additional flavoring beyond its spirit base as part of its standard identity.At an absolute minimum - it must be flavored...
Barley
permit added caramel coloring
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
36% alcohol72 proof

29. Holland became famous for what type of liqueur...
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.
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
only made in Ireland

30. In general terms - Plymouth Gin will be _________________________than London Dry Gin.
More full-bodied
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
to drink
36% alcohol72 proof

31. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
45% alcohol by volume
51% agave
125 proof or less
Succulent

32. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
0.5% abv
Curacao
maturation profile
Tahona

33. European Union Brandy allows ______________
Full-bodied and pungent
Curacao
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
permit added caramel coloring

34. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
varietal-specific brandies
36% alcohol72 proof
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
10% a year

35. Mexican law allows some finished tequilas to be...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Heart

36. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Pulque

37. In whiskey - 'mash' refers to...
Holland or Belgium
The Triangle Trade
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

38. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
173F
The Triangle Trade
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

39. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
45% alcohol by volume
Place of work
pyrolysis
a solvent with a hint of lemon

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

41. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
a solvent with a hint of lemon
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Kidney and bladder problems

42. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
t least one year
Barley
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

43. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Pulque
Noble
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

44. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
Pineau de Charentes
Cut the flower stalk
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Water

45. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
Charcoal
Water
more than one distillery
charcoal mellowed

46. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
charcoal mellowed
Compounding
Hemi-cellulose component
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)

47. 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
varietal-specific brandies
Jicama
191.2 proof

48. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
45% alcohol by volume
marc
The Caribbean Islands
173F

49. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
2 years minimum
charcoal mellowed
173F
Holland or Belgium

50. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Aguamiel
2 years minimum
pyrolysis