Spirits

Question 1

What are the two types of stills used to make spirits

Answer 1

Pot Still
Continuous Still (Column still)

Question 2

What are the features and functions of a Pot Still

Answer 2

Used for slower distillation of spirits for wood aging (ex. Cognac, Scotch) and aim to retain as much flavor of the original ingredient

Question 3

What are the features of a Continuous Still?

Answer 3

Used for faster distillation and best for neutral spirits such as vodka and bourbon with the aim of removing flavor and impurities

Question 4

Name 4 examples of spirits bottled as soon as they come out of the still

Answer 4

Vodka
Gin
Blanco Tequila
White Ru,

Question 5

How can color be added to spirits

Answer 5

Barrel Aging
Caramel food coloring

Question 6

All whiskey is made from ____

Answer 6

Grains

Question 7

Name 5 different types of whiskey

Answer 7

Scotch
Irish
Canadian
Bourbon
Tennessee

Question 8

What are the ingredients and aging requirements of Canadian Whiskey

Answer 8

Made from rye, corn, wheat, or barley

Minimum 3 years of aging

Question 9

What are the ingredients and aging requirements of Irish Whiskey

Answer 9

Barley

Minimum 3 years of aging

Question 10

What are the laws in Bourbon production

Answer 10

Must be made in the USA
Minimum 51% corn
Aged in new charred American Oak

Question 11

What are the production laws for Tennessee Whiskey

Answer 11

Must be made in TN
Must be minimum 51% corn
Must be filtered through sugar maple tree carbon fitler

Question 12

What is the traditional fuel used to make Scotch

Answer 12

Peat

Question 13

What aromas/flavor does peat add to Scotch

Answer 13

Smokey notes

Question 14

Name a region known for heavy peated Scotch and a region known for lightly peated scotch

Answer 14

Heavy - Islay
Light - Lowlands

Question 15

What are the requirements for making Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Answer 15

100% malted barley
Made in a pot still
Made at a single distillery

Question 16

What is blended Scotch Whisky

Answer 16

Made from blending one or more single malt whiskies from different distilleries

Question 17

What are the 5 major areas of production in Scotland

Answer 17

Orkney
Isle of Skye
Speyside
Islay
Lowlands

Question 18

Name two wine based brandies

Answer 18

Cognac
Armagnac

Question 19

Name 2 fruit-based brandies

Answer 19

Calvados
Eau de Vie

Question 20

What is the primary grape varietal used in the production of Cognac/Armagnac

Answer 20

Ugni Blanc

Question 21

How many times is Cognac distilled

Answer 21

Twice in a copper pot still

Question 22

How many times is Armagnac distilled

Answer 22

Once in a continuous still

Question 23

What is the aging requirement for Cognac and Armagnac

Answer 23

Min. 2 years in French Oak

Question 24

Where is Calvados AOC

Answer 24

Normandy

Question 25

What product is Calvados distilled from

Answer 25

Apple or Pear cider

Question 26

What are the aging requirements for Calvados AOC

Answer 26

2 years in French Oak

Question 27

What is the traditional still used for Calvados AOC

Answer 27

Twice distilled in a copper pot still

Question 28

What does Eau de Vie mean in English

Answer 28

Water of life

Question 29

Give at least 3 examples of an Eau de Vie

Answer 29

Kirsch (cherry) Framboise (raspberry) Poire William (pear) Blume Marillen (apricot) Mirabelle (plum)

Question 30

What are the traditional ingredients used to make Vodka in Eastern Europe

Answer 30

Potatoes Cereal grains

Question 31

What vessel is used to distill vodka

Answer 31

Continuous still

Question 32

Where does gin originate

Answer 32

The Netherlands

Question 33

What product is gin traditionally distilled from

Answer 33

Cereal grains

Question 34

What is the dominant flavoring agent in gin

Answer 34

Juniper berries

Question 35

How are botanical flavorings infused into gin

Answer 35

The selected ingredients are macerated with the base alcohol then distilled again (usually a few more distillations)

Question 36

Tequila is a protected appellation in which state of Mexico

Answer 36

Jalisco

Question 37

What plant must tequila be distilled from and what part of the plant

Answer 37

The juice of the cooked heart of the Blue Weber Agave

Question 38

What is the aging requirement for Reposado Tequila

Answer 38

2 months to 1 year in oak barrels

Question 39

What is the aging requirement for Añejo Tequila

Answer 39

1-3 years in oak barrels

Question 40

Mezcal is a protected appellation in which Mexican State

Answer 40

Oaxaca

Question 41

What is mezcal distilled from

Answer 41

Fermented agave

Question 42

Where did rum originate

Answer 42

The Caribbean Islands

Question 43

What products can Rum be distilled from

Answer 43

Sugarcane Molasses

Question 44

How do dark rums get their color

Answer 44

Extensive oak aging