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. The global definition for whiskey is...
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
column/pot combination still
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
London Dry gin

2. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
Pineau de Charentes
Rum
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
125 proof or less

3. The predominant ingredient used for vodka production throughout the world is...
Bottled in Bond
Grains
Distiller's beer
120 proof

4. The most commonly used process of neutralizing vodka after distillation utilizes...
Evaporation and condensation
Barley
Charcoal
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also

5. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
0.5% abv
loral and fruity
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

6. Congeners are...
Hydrolysis
50/50
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
marc

7. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
one year minimum
173F
warmer
Fewer congeners

8. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
Hydrolysis
Jicama
London Dry gin
Succulent

9. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
decomposed plant matter
Pulque
Holland or Belgium
Curacao

10. Most barrel aged rums use...
Succulent
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
London Dry gin
Compounding

11. Which of the following is NOT a proprietary liqueur?
Cut the flower stalk
160 proof
Curacao
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

12. A product listed as '90 Proof' would be equivalent to...
45% alcohol by volume
pyrolysis
Industriel
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

13. Which of the following is NOT a cold extraction method...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
125 proof or less
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

14. The French designation for a pomace brandy is...
Fuller-tasting rums
loral and fruity
marc
London Dry gin

15. The primary flavoring agent for Sloe Gin is...
10% a year
Charcoal
160 proof
Blackthorn Plum

16. Agave is one of the six primary areas of tequila flavor. Of the following five - which is NOT a primary source of flavor?...
London Dry gin
45% alcohol by volume
Jicama
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

17. If labeled as '100% Agave' the tequila must be...
0.5% abv
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
to drink

18. Mexican law allows some finished tequilas to be...
in any country; generic liqueur
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
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
Aguamiel

19. 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
Distilled and bottled in Mexico
Compounding

20. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
Water
0.5% abv
Kidney and bladder problems
Prior to fermentation

21. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
charcoal mellowed
a solvent with a hint of lemon
marc
to drink

22. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
Pineau de Charentes
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
173F

23. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
Heart
160 proof
Compounding
Grapes/Fruits

24. Rum may be made from...
Compounding
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
varietal-specific brandies
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

25. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
The Caribbean Islands
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds

26. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
t least one year
Noble
51% agave
Jicama

27. Vodka in its 'original' form comes in three flavor presentation styles - that are...
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
Cut the flower stalk
Hemi-cellulose component

28. The initial distillation to separate alcohol vapors from water yields...

29. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
Dissolve or melt
pyrolysis
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
more than one distillery

30. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Barley
charcoal mellowed
maturation profile

31. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
Jicama
45% alcohol by volume
Full-bodied and pungent
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

32. Tequila is a word of Nahuatl derivation which means...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Charcoal
Place of work
warmer

33. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
Brouillis
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Pineau de Charentes
Aguamiel

34. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
Rum
10% a year
51% agave
Hemi-cellulose component

35. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
80--94
only made in Ireland
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

36. Which of the terms below is NOT one of the five classifications of post-distilled tequila?
2 years minimum
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

37. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
in any country; generic liqueur
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
More full-bodied

38. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
125 proof or less
10% a year
6--8 years
Prior to fermentation

39. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
Water
Place of work
Evaporation and condensation
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

40. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
one year minimum
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
to drink

41. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
Tahona
50/50
36% alcohol72 proof
column/pot combination still

42. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
more than one distillery
Pineau de Charentes
Water
Noble

43. The congener acetaldehyde in vodka would most likely produce aroma/flavor characteristics of...
2 years minimum
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
loral and fruity
Coffee or wine

44. What are the five requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
2 years minimum
Brouillis
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

45. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
Barley
Grapes/Fruits
varietal-specific brandies
6--8 years

46. The minimum sugar content allowed in liqueurs is...
Jicama
More full-bodied
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
pyrolysis

47. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
10% a year
Water
water of life
Charcoal

48. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
50/50
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
permit added caramel coloring

49. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
6--8 years
Compounding
Hemi-cellulose component

50. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
6--8 years
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
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
The Caribbean Islands