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 least costly method of producing liqueurs is...
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
a solvent with a hint of lemon
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Compounding

2. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
6--8 years

3. Blended (Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies - which have been distilled at ________________ - Do not confuse with 'Blended Scotch Whisky.'
Heart
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
Bottled in Bond
more than one distillery

4. If an age statement for barrel aging is stated on the label it signifies...
Curacao
The Caribbean Islands
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')
the age of the youngest rum in the blend

5. Prior to harvesting an agave plant for tequila a necessary step is to...
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
173F
Jicama
Cut the flower stalk

6. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
loral and fruity
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Hemi-cellulose component

7. Vodka is distilled to a very high proof level because producers want...
Fewer congeners
Pina
Bottled in Bond
loral and fruity

8. 'Compound Gin' may be created in which two methods...
6--8 years
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Grapes/Fruits
Coffee or wine

9. For rums - U.S. recognizes only Anejo designation at a...
to drink
45% alcohol by volume
one year minimum
ugar cane juice and/or molasses

10. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
The Caribbean Islands
36% alcohol72 proof
maturation profile
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.

11. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
Cut the flower stalk
10% a year
only made in Ireland
decomposed plant matter

12. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
Aguamiel
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

13. In tequila - the Lowlands region of the Valle de Tequila is noticeably ___________ than the Highlands.
Prior to fermentation
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
warmer

14. In the U.S. - Brandy must achieve a minimum bottling of 80 proof (40% abv). In Europe - the minimum strength at bottling is...
160 proof
Full-bodied and pungent
36% alcohol72 proof
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.

15. Missionaries brought distilling technology to Ireland in the 5th century - calling the product 'Uisge Beatha' - meaning...
More full-bodied
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
water of life
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses

16. Genever/Hollands style Gins are not limited to being fermented and distilled in either...
Pina
Holland or Belgium
Noble
a solvent with a hint of lemon

17. Which of the following is NOT a brandy?
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
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Pina
Pineau de Charentes

18. Agave is one of the six primary areas of tequila flavor. Of the following five - which is NOT a primary source of flavor?...
Cut the flower stalk
Water
Compounding
Jicama

19. The two distinct families of Brandy are...
Pineau de Charentes
Grapes/Fruits
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Charcoal

20. In Cognac - the first distillation produces what is referred to in French as __________________.
Charcoal
Brouillis
London Dry gin
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

21. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
120 proof
Succulent
varietal-specific brandies
Jicama

22. Rums from French Guyana or Haiti would be most likely to fall into the predominant style of...
191.2 proof
Full-bodied and pungent
51% agave
36% alcohol72 proof

23. Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from 100% barley in malted and unmalted form and is...
50/50
Cut the flower stalk
Prior to fermentation
only made in Ireland

24. European Union Brandy allows ______________
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
Rum
permit added caramel coloring
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

25. A product listed as '90 Proof' would be equivalent to...
Tahona
45% alcohol by volume
36% alcohol72 proof
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels

26. Under E. U. rules - Armagnac may produce both vintage dated and...
Succulent
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
varietal-specific brandies
Hemi-cellulose component

27. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
t least one year
Place of work
The Triangle Trade
Jicama

28. Distillation of Rum from 'beer' will form new congeners as a result of...
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
pyrolysis
36% alcohol72 proof
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

29. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
warmer
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
The Caribbean Islands
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

30. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
maturation profile
Dissolve or melt
loral and fruity
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

31. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
Heart
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)
3 years
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast

32. Two of the four sources of flavor for all liqueurs are...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
Prior to fermentation
173F

33. Congeners are...
Coffee or wine
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
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Pineau de Charentes

34. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
Aguamiel
warmer
Fuller-tasting rums
only made in Ireland

35. 'Mixto Tequila' requires a minimum content of ________ agave.
51% agave
more than one distillery
Grapes/Fruits
one year minimum

36. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
Industriel
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
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
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

37. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
2 years minimum
45% alcohol by volume
Grains
Heart

38. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
Holland or Belgium
Evaporation and condensation
Heart

39. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
Jicama
charcoal mellowed
loral and fruity

40. Sambuca liqueur can be made...
in any country; generic liqueur
Succulent
Blackthorn Plum
Grains

41. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
Kidney and bladder problems
pyrolysis
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.

42. Natural ethanol is described as resembling...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy
one year minimum
loral and fruity

43. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
50/50
Barley
Hemi-cellulose component
2 years minimum

44. Most barrel aged rums use...
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
pre-used white oak whiskey barrels
London Dry gin
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.

45. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
191.2 proof
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
Two and one-half percent (2.5%)
Rum

46. Vodka regulations require distillation at 190 Proof or higher because...
Compounding
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
t least one year
pyrolysis

47. The harvested stem of the agave is called a cabeza or...
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Pina
51% agave

48. Throughout history a great stone wheel was used to separate the fibrous pulp from the agave. This wheel is called the...
Tahona
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection
only made in Ireland
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

49. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
Hemi-cellulose component
decomposed plant matter
Full-bodied and pungent
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).

50. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
125 proof or less
London Dry gin
Water
0.5% abv