1
Q
What is a distilled spirit in simple terms?
A
An alcoholic beverage produced by distilling a fermented base to increase alcohol
2
Q
What is the main learning goal at Intro level for spirits and liqueurs?
A
To know base ingredients
3
Q
What is the main learning goal at Certified level for spirits and liqueurs?
A
To understand region
4
Q
Name three broad spirit families from your clear spirits list.
A
Vodka
5
Q
Name two agave-based spirits.
A
Tequila and Mezcal
6
Q
Name three grain-based brown spirit categories.
A
Bourbon
7
Q
Which fruit-based spirits category includes Cognac and Armagnac?
A
Brandy
8
Q
What do liqueurs always contain in addition to alcohol?
A
Sugar and flavorings
9
Q
From what raw material are most vodkas traditionally made?
A
Cereal grains (wheat
10
Q
Can vodka legally be made from non-grain materials?
A
Yes
11
Q
Where can vodka be produced geographically?
A
Anywhere in the world
12
Q
What type of still is most commonly used for vodka production?
A
Continuous still (column still)
13
Q
Why is vodka often distilled multiple times?
A
To remove congeners and create a neutral flavor profile
14
Q
What is the general flavor profile of vodka?
A
Neutral
15
Q
Name three major vodka producers.
A
Tito’s
16
Q
Name three premium vodka brands.
A
Grey Goose
17
Q
Which vodka brand is grape-based rather than grain-based?
A
Cîroc
18
Q
What is rum primarily distilled from?
A
Sugarcane or molasses
19
Q
Which global region is most traditionally associated with rum?
A
The Caribbean
20
Q
Can rum technically be produced outside the Caribbean?
A
Yes
21
Q
What type of stills may be used to produce rum?
A
Continuous or pot stills
22
Q
Name four common style descriptors for rum.
A
Light
23
Q
Describe the flavor of a light rum.
A
Light-bodied
24
Q
Describe the flavor of a dark or aged rum.
A
Richer
25
What defines spiced rum?
Rum flavored with spices (e.g.
26
Name three classic rum producers.
Myers's
27
Name two additional recognized rum producers from your list.
Diplomático
28
Which brand is particularly associated with spiced rum?
Captain Morgan
29
Which brand is historic for Barbadian rum?
Mount Gay
30
What base spirit is used for gin?
Neutral grain spirit
31
What botanical must be the dominant flavor in gin?
Juniper berries
32
How is gin typically flavored?
By redistilling or infusing neutral spirit with botanicals
33
What is London Dry gin?
A very dry style where juniper is dominant and no sugar is added
34
Is gin a clear or colored spirit?
A clear spirit
35
Name three major gin producers.
Tanqueray
36
Name three additional premium gin producers.
Hendrick's
37
What flavor note distinguishes Hendrick’s Gin?
Cucumber and rose in addition to juniper
38
From which plant is tequila made?
Blue agave
39
In which Mexican state is tequila primarily produced?
Jalisco
40
Is tequila an agave-based spirit?
Yes
41
Name the three main Tequila aging categories.
Blanco
42
How long may Blanco tequila age under this syllabus?
Under 2 months
43
What is the minimum and maximum oak aging for Reposado tequila?
2 months to 1 year in oak
44
What is the aging range for Añejo tequila according to your notes?
1 to 3 years in oak
45
What is the typical flavor difference between Blanco and Añejo tequila?
Blanco is fresher/agave-driven; Añejo is oakier and smoother
46
Name four tequila producers from your list.
Don Julio
47
Name four additional tequila producers from your list.
Sauza
48
What is mezcal made from?
Agave (many varieties)
49
Which Mexican state is most associated with mezcal?
Oaxaca
50
What production step gives many mezcals a smoky character?
Agave cooked over fire in earthen pits
51
Is mezcal typically distilled in pot stills or continuous stills?
Often pot stills
52
Name three mezcal producers from your list.
Bozal
53
Compare tequila and mezcal in terms of agave varieties.
Tequila uses only blue agave
54
What is one visual difference you might see in artisan mezcal vs standard tequila packaging?
Artisan mezcal often in rustic
55
What grain must make up at least 51% of the mash bill in bourbon?
Corn
56
In which country must bourbon be produced?
United States of America
57
Is bourbon required to be made in Kentucky?
No
58
What type of oak barrel is required for aging bourbon?
New
59
What type of still is typically used for bourbon production?
Continuous still (sometimes with pot finishing)
60
Name three bourbon producers.
Jim Beam
61
Name three additional bourbon producers.
Bulleit
62
What flavor notes are typical in bourbon?
Corn sweetness
63
What distinguishes Tennessee whiskey from standard bourbon?
It is made in Tennessee and filtered through maple charcoal
64
What is the charcoal filtration step in Tennessee whiskey called?
The Lincoln County Process
65
Name two Tennessee whiskey producers.
Jack Daniel's
66
In which country is Canadian whisky produced?
Canada
67
Name four grains commonly used in Canadian whisky.
Corn
68
What is the general flavor profile of Canadian whisky?
Light
69
Name two Canadian whisky producers.
Crown Royal
70
Name another Canadian whisky producer from your list.
Pike Creek
71
In which country is Irish Whiskey produced?
Ireland
72
What is the primary grain used in Irish Whiskey?
Barley
73
How many times is Irish Whiskey typically distilled?
Three times in pot stills
74
What is the minimum aging time for Irish Whiskey and Scotch?
Three years in oak
75
Name three Irish Whiskey producers.
Jameson
76
Name another Irish Whiskey brand from your list.
Proper Twelve
77
In which country is Scotch Whisky produced?
Scotland
78
What grain is the base of single malt Scotch?
Barley
79
How many times is Scotch typically distilled?
Two times in pot stills
80
Which region’s Scotch is known as the smokiest?
Islay
81
Name the main Scotch whisky regions.
Highland
82
What is the minimum aging requirement for Scotch?
Three years in oak in Scotland
83
What style is made from malted barley at a single distillery?
Single Malt Scotch
84
What is Blended Scotch?
A blend of malt and grain whiskies from multiple distilleries
85
How is smokiness often introduced into Scotch?
By drying malted barley over peat fires
86
Name two Highland/Speyside Scotch producers.
The Glenlivet
87
Name two more Highland/Speyside Scotch producers.
Singleton
88
Name two Lowland Scotch producers.
Glenkinchie
89
Name three Islay Scotch producers.
Lagavulin
90
Name two additional Islay Scotch producers.
Bowmore
91
Name three Blended Scotch brands.
Johnnie Walker
92
Name three more Blended Scotch brands.
Ballantine's
93
In which French region is Cognac produced?
Cognac
94
Name the two Cognac crus that make Fine Champagne.
Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne
95
What is the primary grape used in Cognac?
Ugni Blanc
96
How many times is Cognac distilled?
Two times in copper pot stills
97
In what type of oak is Cognac aged?
French oak
98
What is the minimum aging for Cognac labeled VS/Three Star?
Two years in oak
99
What is the minimum aging for VSOP Cognac?
Four years in oak
100
What is the minimum aging for XO Cognac according to your notes?
Ten years in oak
101
Name four major Cognac producers.
Hennessy
102
In which French region is Armagnac produced?
Armagnac
103
Name the three subregions of Armagnac.
Haut Armagnac
104
Name two key grapes used in Armagnac.
Ugni Blanc
105
How many times is Armagnac commonly distilled?
One time in a unique continuous still
106
In what type of oak is Armagnac aged?
French oak
107
Name two Armagnac producers.
Larressingle
108
Name another Armagnac producer from your list.
Montal
109
In which French region is Calvados produced?
Calvados
110
What fruits are the base for Calvados?
Apples and pears
111
How long must Calvados be aged at minimum?
Two years in oak
112
Is Calvados always double pot-distilled?
No
113
What are Eaux-de-Vie de Fruits?
Unaged fruit brandies distilled from fruits such as raspberry
114
Name three fruit Eaux-de-Vie examples.
Framboise
115
Are Eaux-de-Vie de Fruits typically aged in oak?
Generally no
116
What is Pomace Brandy?
Brandy distilled from grape pomace (skins
117
Name the Italian term for pomace brandy.
Grappa
118
Name the French term for pomace brandy.
Marc
119
Are most pomace brandies aged or unaged?
Generally unaged (though some may be aged)
120
What is the key difference between Cognac and Grappa in raw material?
Cognac from wine; Grappa from pomace
121
What is a liqueur?
A sweetened
122
What does the Herb & Nut liqueur category include?
Herbal and nut-flavored liqueurs
123
Name two herb-focused liqueurs.
Benedictine and Chartreuse
124
What is B&B?
A blend of Benedictine and Brandy
125
Name a British herb/spice-based liqueur used in long drinks.
Pimm's
126
Name a mint-flavored liqueur.
Crème de Menthe
127
Name a hazelnut liqueur.
Frangelico
128
Name four anise-based liqueurs.
Anisette
129
Name three orange-flavored liqueurs.
Triple Sec
130
What nut/fruit liqueur is Amaretto associated with?
Apricot kernel/almond character
131
What is Southern Comfort classified as?
A peach and fruit-flavored whiskey liqueur
132
What cream liqueur is based on Irish whiskey?
Baileys Irish Cream
133
Name three whiskey-based liqueurs.
Drambuie
134
Which liqueur is elderflower-flavored?
St‑Germain
135
Which liqueur is ginger-flavored?
Domaine de Canton
136
Name two coffee liqueurs.
Kahlúa and Tia Maria
137
Which herbal French liqueur is produced by monks and has Green and Yellow versions?
Chartreuse
138
In cocktail building
what role do base spirits play?
139
Name the base spirit in a Gin & Tonic.
Gin
140
Name the base spirit in a Margarita.
Tequila
141
Name the base spirit in a Daiquiri.
Rum
142
Name the base spirit in a Classic Martini.
Gin or Vodka
143
Name the base spirit in an Old Fashioned.
Whiskey (often bourbon or rye)
144
Name the base spirit in a Sidecar.
Cognac or brandy
145
Name the base spirit in a White Russian.
Vodka
146
Why should a Certified Sommelier know cocktail basics?
To recommend appropriate spirits and mixed drinks in service
147
At Intro level
what should you focus on first for spirits?
148
At Certified level
what additional spirit knowledge is expected?
149
How can flashcards help with spirits study?
By drilling category → region → base → style → producers
150
What is one key service skill related to spirits?
Recommending appropriate brands and styles based on guest preference
151
Why is knowledge of producers important in spirits service?
To upsell and offer recognizable quality options
152
What is a common serving size for a neat spirit in a bar?
Typically around 30–45 ml (1–1.5 oz)
153
Why should a sommelier know aging terms like VS
VSOP
154
What is a key difference between tequila Blanco and Reposado?
Reposado spends time in oak (2–12 months); Blanco does not
155
What production factor gives Islay Scotch its intense smokiness?
Peat fires used to dry malted barley
156
What distinguishes an eau-de-vie from a liqueur?
Eau-de-vie is unsweetened fruit brandy; liqueur is sweetened and flavored
157
What is one key difference between brandy and whisky?
Brandy is distilled from fermented fruit juice; whisky from grains
158
Why does a sommelier need to understand base spirits in cocktails?
To adjust recommendations when a base spirit preference changes
159
What is a simple way to describe gin to guests?
A neutral spirit flavored with juniper and other botanicals
160
What is a simple way to describe rum to guests?
A spirit distilled from sugarcane or molasses
161
What is a simple way to describe tequila to guests?
A Mexican spirit made from blue agave
162
What is a simple way to describe mezcal to guests?
An agave spirit from Mexico
163
What is a simple way to describe bourbon to guests?
An American whiskey with at least 51% corn
164
What is a simple way to describe Scotch to guests?
A Scottish whisky usually from barley
165
What is a simple way to describe Cognac to guests?
A French brandy from Cognac
166
What is the main service objective when recommending spirits and liqueurs?
To match guest preferences
167
Summarize the key dimensions you should know for every major spirit.
Region
CMS - Intro/Certified
flashcards
Decks in class (32)
# Cards
-
France - Burgundy CHABLIS142
-
France - Burgundy COTE D'OR333
-
France - Burgundy MACONNAIS/COTE CHALONNAISE110
-
France - Beaujolais113
-
France - Provence BANDOL99
-
Australia - Overall295
-
Portugal151
-
Italy152
-
Germany150
-
Austria150
-
Greece150
-
Europe141
-
New Zealand150
-
US & Canada130
-
South America150
-
South Africa122
-
France - Rhone Valley155
-
France - Alsace333
-
Fortified284
-
Sparkling157
-
Bordeaux153
-
Champagne144
-
Loire Valley129
-
South France164
-
Italy North188
-
Italy Central120
-
Italy South173
-
Sweet135
-
Beer183
-
Sake122
-
Spirits167
-
Business of Wine127
