Spirits

Question 1

Difference between pot still and continuous still

Answer 1

Pot still is simpler with only one column and uses direct. Continuous stills have two columns, analyzer and rectifier, and uses steam to vaporize the alcohol.

Pot stills are less inefficient but creat for flavorful spirits. Continuous stills are more efficient but strip out flavor compounds as well as impurities.

Question 2

EU minimum ABV for vodka

Answer 2

37.5%

Question 3

What country does gin originally come from?

Answer 3

The Netherlands

Question 4

What ingredient makes Old Tom gin distinct from London Dry?

Answer 4

Sugar

Question 5

First whiskey distilled in Kentucky

Answer 5

Elijah Craig, 1789

Question 6

Minimum amount of corn for a whiskey to be labeled bourbon

Answer 6

51%

Question 7

Requirements to be labeled Tennessee Whiskey

Answer 7

Filtered through maple charcoal prior to aging and manufactured in Tennessee

Question 8

Minimum rye content to be labeled rye whiskey

Answer 8

51%

Question 9

Minimum corn content for a whiskey to be labeled corn whiskey

Answer 9

80%

Question 10

Five categories of scotch

Answer 10

Single malt, single grain, blended malt, blended grain, blended

Question 11

Requirements to be labeled single malt

Answer 11

Distilled from malted barely in a pot still at a single distillery and bottled in Scotland.

Question 12

Requirements to be labeled single grain

Answer 12

Produced at a single distillery but may include unmalted barley or other grains like wheat or corn

Question 13

Blended scotch whiskey

Answer 13

Mixture of grain and malt whiskies and can be produced at multiple distilleries

Question 14

Requirements of all scotch categories

Answer 14

Produced in Scotland, distilled a minimum of two times, and aged for a minimum of three years. At least 40% ABV

Question 15

Five regions of scotch

Answer 15

Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Islay, and Cambeltown

Question 16

Brandy definition, EU

Answer 16

Produced from a distillation of wine, not pomace. Minimum 36% ABV. Oak aging for a minimum of 6 months

Question 17

Six regions of Cognac in descending quality order

Answer 17

Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois, Bois Ordinaires

Question 18

Grape varieties permitted for Cognac

Answer 18

Ugni Blanc (98% of plantings)
Folle Blanche
Colombard

Question 19

Age requirements for Cognac labels

Answer 19

VS - 2 years in cask
VSOP - 4 years in cask
XO - 10 years in cask

Question 20

Varietals used in Armagnac

Answer 20

Ugni Blanc
Folle Blanche
Colombard
Baco Blanc

Question 21

Differences between Armagnac and Cognac

Answer 21

Armagnac is more often a blend of varietals. More often distilled once rather than twice.

Question 22

Armagnac aging labels

Answer 22

Blanche - 3 months in inert
VS - 1-3 years in wood
VSOP - 4-9 years
XO or Hors D’age - 10+
Vintage - At least 10 years

Question 23

Armagnac minimum ABV

Answer 23

40%

Question 24

Prominent Armagnac producers

Answer 24

Larressingle
Chateau Laubade

Question 25

Brandy de Jerez varietals

Answer 25

Airen Palomino

Question 26

Brandy de Jerez age labels

Answer 26

Solera - 6 months Solera Riserva - 1 year Gran Riserva - 3 years

Question 27

3 Calvados AOCs

Answer 27

Calvados AOC Domfrontais Pays d’Auge

Question 28

Calvados requirements

Answer 28

Twice distilled in a copper pot still Aged a minimum of 2 years in oak

Question 29

Calvados Pays d’Auge requirements

Answer 29

Maximum 30% pear cider

Question 30

Calvados Domfrontais requirements

Answer 30

Minimum 30% pear cider content Minimum 3 years cask aging Continuous distillation

Question 31

Calvados age statements

Answer 31

Fine - 2 years Vieux/Reserve - 3 years Vielle Reserve/VSOP - 4 years XO/Hors d’Age/Extra/Napoleon - 6 years

Question 32

4 major styles of rum

Answer 32

Light, dark, Demerara, Agricole

Question 33

Demerara rum

Answer 33

Unique to Guyana Distilled from Molasses Aged up to a decade before release

Question 34

Tequila age statements

Answer 34

Blanco - up to two years Repo - two months to 1 year Anejo - 1 year Extra Anejo - 3 years

Question 35

Tequila blue agave minimum

Answer 35

51%