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 historic trade pattern of Rum from the Caribbean colonies to the U.S. to Africa was referred to as...
charcoal mellowed
Kidney and bladder problems
The Triangle Trade
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel

2. Liqueur is derived for the latin term 'liquifacere' meaning...
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
Place of work
Dissolve or melt

3. The 'New World' styles of whiskey showcase the impact of...
Barley
10% a year
varietal-specific brandies
maturation profile

4. Scotch whisky requires a longer maturation than its bourbon cousin because...
Industriel
London Dry gin
Coffee or wine
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

5. The term 'beverage' is derived from the Latin bibere - meaning...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
loral and fruity
Pineau de Charentes
to drink

6. Agave is derived from the Greek word for...
45% alcohol by volume
Distiller's beer
Noble
The Triangle Trade

7. In the U.S. - Fruit Flavored Brandy may contain...
Evaporation and condensation
varietal-specific brandies
Up to 15% wine base - but 12.5% of the 15% must be of the same fruit listed on the label.
Gold (Gold is not recognized as a classification; Gold is Joven Abocado classification.)

8. In tequila - the Lowlands region of the Valle de Tequila is noticeably ___________ than the Highlands.
warmer
maturation profile
with juniper - although any other botanicals may be used also
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel

9. If labeled as '100% Agave' the tequila must be...
varietal-specific brandies
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Distilled and bottled in Mexico

10. The origin of Rum is generally considered to be...
The Caribbean Islands
Distiller's beer
Charcoal
Place of work

11. 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.)
The Triangle Trade
Hemi-cellulose component
10% a year

12. Sambuca liqueur can be made...
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
Jicama
in any country; generic liqueur
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur

13. Cordial is derived from the Latin word 'cordialis' meaning...
Prior to fermentation
125 proof or less
Heart
Mixto (will be labeled as 'Tequila')

14. Common heat distillation cannot exceed...
permit added caramel coloring
Kidney and bladder problems
191.2 proof
The Caribbean Islands

15. Caramelized oak sugars from toasting or charring a barrel come primarily from the...
Heart
191.2 proof
Aguamiel
Hemi-cellulose component

16. A Tennessee whiskey is different from a bourbon whiskey because it is...
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
charcoal mellowed
marc
10% a year

17. The blue agave is reproduced commercially through asexual reproduction and will be ready for harvest in...
6--8 years
Place of work
more than one distillery
More full-bodied

18. Distillation is the process of separating alcohol from a fermented liquid by a series of...
Pineau de Charentes
Evaporation and condensation
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
Pulque

19. Congeners are...
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation
maturation profile
Fuller-tasting rums
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

20. The alcohol range for most Gin in the U.S. is...
80--94
191.2 proof
Dissolve or melt
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence

21. The agave is classified in plant terminology as a...
10% a year
Cold Compounding and Compounding Essence
Curacao
Succulent

22. The first New World spirit category to be developed commercially is...
a solvent with a hint of lemon
Rum
Holland or Belgium
warmer

23. A Gin spirit base may be distilled from...
mixture of cooked grains and water before adding yeast
Sugar cane or molasses - Grape concentrate - Root vegetables - Gin does not specify a particular spirit source.
Brouillis
Flavor extraction method & base spirit selection

24. The maximum proof of distillation for bourbon whiskey is...
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
160 proof
10% a year
Grapes/Fruits

25. Water boils at 212 F. At about what temperature will ethyl alcohol boil?
173F
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.
exported in bulk and bottled outside the country
36% alcohol72 proof

26. 'Overproof Rum' is an official classification that requires a minimum bottling proof of...
120 proof
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
maturation profile
water of life

27. European Union Brandy allows ______________
Brouillis
permit added caramel coloring
decomposed plant matter
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).

28. In the United States - a 'straight bourbon' must remain in a new - charred oak barrel for a minimum of________ years...
Industriel
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
Distllation---distillation is a heat extraction method.
2 years minimum

29. Dunder - in rum - is most similar to what New World whiskey makers refer to as __________________.
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
191.2 proof
The Triangle Trade

30. Brandy made by the Solera Process...
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
More full-bodied
the age of the youngest rum in the blend
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks

31. EU Brandy rules stipulate that brandy aged in oak barrels or casks...
The Triangle Trade
Dissolve or melt
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Hydrolysis

32. Rum may be made from...
More full-bodied
Prior to fermentation
ugar cane juice and/or molasses
a solvent with a hint of lemon

33. Every whiskey is crafted with the same five sources of flavor: grain recipe - fermentation process - distillation process - maturation process and...
6 months in barrel; 1 year in larger casks
Dissolve or melt
Water
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

34. If 'dunder' and 'skimmings' are introduced during the rum production process - it must be...
Prior to fermentation
Brouillis
varietal-specific brandies
Dissolve or melt

35. The primary contributor to the color of whiskies ...
80--94
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
a solvent with a hint of lemon
maturation profile

36. 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?
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
50/50
Backset - also called Sour Mash Method.
permit added caramel coloring

37. Slower-working yeast cultures cause more esters to develop in fermentation - thus creating...
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
Fuller-tasting rums
one year minimum
Evaporation and condensation

38. Agave is one of the six primary areas of tequila flavor. Of the following five - which is NOT a primary source of flavor?...
Grapes/Fruits
Charcoal
Dissolve or melt
Jicama

39. The most prevalent form of Rum production is...
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
caramelized wood sugars in the barrel
Industriel
Coffee or wine

40. The process step in which the inulin is converted to fermentable sugars is called...
3 years
Barley
Prior to fermentation
Hydrolysis

41. The extracted and cooked sap of the harvested agave is called...
Aguamiel
191.2 proof
Pulque
Crafted from grain - Distilled at less than 190 proof - Aged in oak containers - Bottled at no less than 80 proof c.

42. Barrel aged Rum may lose up to _________ a year of product to evaporation in the hotter producing areas.
in any country; generic liqueur
120 proof
45% alcohol by volume
10% a year

43. Spain produces and consumes large quantities of gin. What is the most prevalent gin style in Spain?
requires topping barrels from other barrels in a series (similar to Sherry Solera Process).
London Dry gin
Noble
in any country; generic liqueur

44. In England - Gin distillers tend to favor a heavier mixture of __________
Compounding
permit added caramel coloring
Barley
Impurities in the alcohol after distillation

45. Anejo tequila must be aged in wooden barrels no larger than 600 liters for...
column/pot combination still
More full-bodied
0.5% abv
t least one year

46. Gin was originally crafted for medical reasons - specifically to deal with...
Be made from raw sugar cane - not molasses
Blackthorn Plum
Kidney and bladder problems
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

47. The minimum aging time in barrel for Extra Anejo tequila is...
Pina
column/pot combination still
Curacao--a bitter orange liqueur derived from oranges from the Curacao island of the Caribbean. Now a generic liqueur
3 years

48. 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.
Blackthorn Plum
125 proof or less
Crisp and Clean - Medium - Creamy

49. The Highlands Region of Tequila produces a style of tequila that is considerably more_______________ than the Lowland Tequila Region.
loral and fruity
Distiller's beer
Fuller-tasting rums
marc

50. Non-alcoholic beverages - such as beer and wine may contain no more than_____ percent alcohol by Volume (abv).
0.5% abv
the intent is to create a neutral spirit by cooking off most odor and flavor compounds
Full-bodied and pungent
Place of work