Spirits and Cocktails

Question 1

What is the difference between a pot still and a continuous still?

Answer 1

Pot still heat is applied directly to the vessel while continuous still uses steam to vaporize the alcohol.

Continuous stills (or Coffey or Column stills) contain two columns and analyzer and a rectifier and results in a cleaner final distillate where as more congeners (flavors) are retained in the use of a pot still

Question 2

Which parts of the distillate process can contain off-flavors and should be avoided?

Answer 2

The foreshots (first vapors to condense) and the tails

Question 3

What are the regions of production of Cognac?

Answer 3

Grande Champagne
Petite Champagne
Borderies
Fins Bois
Bon Bois
Bois Ordinaire

Question 4

What is the principle grape used in the production of Cognac?

Answer 4

Ugni Blanc

Question 5

What does Fine Champagne indicate?

Answer 5

Sourced from Grande and Petite Champagne with at least 50% coming from Grande Champagne

Question 6

What is the principle soil type in Grande and Petite Champagne?

Answer 6

Chalk

Question 7

What is the minimum aging requirement for Irish Whiskey?

Answer 7

3 years

Question 8

What is the minimum ABV of Scotch Whisky?

Answer 8

40%

Question 9

What is the minimum aging requirement for American Straight Whiskey?

Answer 9

2 years

Question 10

Between Armagnac and Cognac , which is more likely to be produced using a pot still?

Answer 10

Cognac

Question 11

What type of still was invented in the 1830s by Aeneas Coffey?

Answer 11

Column Still

Question 12

Which sub-region of Calvados requires a minimum 30% perry?

Answer 12

Calvados Domfrontais AOC

Question 13

What are the minimum proofs for British naval strength rum and gin?

Answer 13

Rum: 100 proof
Gin: 114 proof

Question 14

What is the primary flavoring agent of Aquavit?

Answer 14

Caraway

Question 15

What is the minimum percentage of rye required in the mash bill of an American rye whiskey?

Answer 15

51%

Question 16

What type of still is most common in Scotch production?

Answer 16

Pot Still

Question 17

Where is Flor de Caña produced?

Answer 17

Nicaragua

Question 18

Where is El Dorado produced?

Answer 18

Guyana

Question 19

Where is Wray and Nephew produced?

Answer 19

Jamaica

Question 20

Where is smith and cross produced?

Answer 20

Base rums in Jamaica but blended and bottled in the UK

Question 21

Where is Havana Club produced?

Answer 21

Cuba

Question 22

Where is Mount Gay produced?

Answer 22

Barbados

Question 23

What is a Martinez Cocktail?

Answer 23

Gin
Sweet Vermouth
Maraschino Liquour
Agno

Question 24

What is typically combined with Pimms No 1 to make a Pimms Cup?

Answer 24

Ginger Ale and lemon juice

Question 25

What is a Corpse Reviver No. 2?

Answer 25

Gin Lillet Blanc Orange Liquor Lemon Juice Absinthe Rinse

Question 26

What is a vieux carré cocktail

Answer 26

Rye Cognac Sweet Vermouth Benedictine Peychauds Ango

Question 27

What is a Jungle Bird cocktail?

Answer 27

Black Rum Campari Pineapple Juice Lime juice Dem

Question 28

What is a Penicillin Cocktail?

Answer 28

Scotch Lemon Honey Ginger

Question 29

What is a White Lady cocktail?

Answer 29

Gin Cointreau Lemon Juice Simple Egg white

Question 29

What are the three appellations of Calvados?

Answer 29

Calvados AOC Calvados Domfrontais AOC (min 30% perry) Calvados Pays d'Auge AOC (max 30% perry)

Question 30

What are the Armagnac aging designations?

Answer 30

VS/*** - 3 years VSOP/Napoléon - 4 years XO / Hors d'Age - 10 years XO Premium - 20 years