Certified Specialist of Spirits

What are the 3 byproducts of sugar in fermentation?

CO2, alcohol, heat

Boiling Point of Water vs Alcohol

212/173

What are the 5 things a fermented liquid contains?

water, acid, aldehydes, esters, and congeners

What is fractional distillation?

The separation and concentration of two or more liquids with different boiling points

What counts as a congener?

Acids, aldehydes, esters, fusel oils, other alcohols

Define Heads, Hearts, Tails

1. Heads - first portion of distillate to come off of the still (AKA Foreshots)

-Contain "Low-Boilers"

-Non-potable

-Generally re-distilled or disposed of

2. Tails - last portion of distillate to come off of the still

-Contain "High-Boilers"

-Also non-potable - sometimes poisonous

-Generally redistilled or disposed of

3. Hearts - Center portion of the distillate

-Actually potable!

-Main focus of the distiller

-Contains preferred Congeners

What are the four types of stills?

Pot still, hybrid still, column still, multiple column still

What are the two parts of a pot still?

Still and worm condenser

What is a worm condenser?

A spiral metal tube connected to a still by a metal pipe that passes through a cold water jacket to aid in rapid condensation

What is the approximate ABV of first batch run through a pot still?

25% ABV

known as Brouillis

What range of ABV can a pot still distill to?

55-70% ABV

What is a reflux?

Controls what elements pass on to condenser vs. returning to still to be redistilled

What does a liquid return contain?

A mixture of condensate water and some wash with alcohol in it

What does the analyzer part of a column still contain?

Stripping section and rectifying section

What is another name for a multiple column still?

Continuous still

What does a hydroselector column do?

Adds hot water to a spirit in a purifier column and permits the volatile components of liquid to vaporize easier

What is an advantage of a hybrid still?

Simplicity of design, construction, and operation

What is a disadvantage of a hybrid still?

Lower distillation efficiency

What are the 6 processes in barrel maturation?

Extraction, evaporation, oxidation, concentration, filtration, and coloration

What happens in extraction step of maturation?

Interior of barrel is toasted or charred to allow water and alcohol to extract aromas and flavors

What happens in evaporation step of maturation?

Approximately 3% loss of alcohol, so the spirit proof reduces over time

What happens in oxidation step of maturation?

Oxygen fills the barrel space and dissolves in the alcohol, creating aromatics

What happens in filtration step of maturation?

Charcoal acts as a filter

What happens in coloration step of maturation?

Charring process turns spirit reddish brown, color darkens over time

Where does American White Oak come from?

Ozarks

What do tannins add to a spirit?

Add coconut flavored lactones and volatile phenolic acids

What does the US require vodka to be distilled to?

At or above 190 proof (95% ABV)

What does the EU require vodka to be made of?

Potatoes, cereal, other agricultural raw materials

What ABV does the EU require vodka to be bottled at?

37.5% ABV (75 proof)

Do EU regulations of vodka allow for base materials other than potatoes or grain?

Yes, but must be noted on the label

What is ethyl laureate?

Congener that adds fruity and floral aromas

What are ethyl palmitate and myristate?

Congeners that add waxy flavor and character

What is Russia's base vodka ingredient?

Wheat

What is Poland's base vodka ingredient?

Rye or potato

What flavors do wheat and barley based vodkas have?

Highly acidic and lighter in body

What is Pertsovka?

Russian vodka flavored with red chili pepper

What is Zubrowka?

Polish vodka flavored with bison grass for a floral, herbal and sweet taste

What is Okhotnichya?

Russian vodka flavored with spices such as ginger, citrus peel, black pepper, cloves, etc. and traditionally blended with fortified wine

What is Kubanskaya?

Russian vodka flavored with dried lemon and orange peel

What is Krupnik?

Polish vodka flavored with honey and herbs

What ABV does EU require flavored vodka to be bottled at?

37.5% ABV (75 proof)

What processes does EU allow flavored vodka to go through?

Sweetening, blending, maturation, or coloration

What is the world's most consumed spirit?

Baijiu

What is Baijiu?

Chinese spirit commonly made from sorghum

What is the base ingredient in Baijiu?

Sorghum, can use barley, millet, or rice

At what ABV is Baijiu typically bottled?

40-60% ABV

How is conversion of starch to liquor done with Baijiu?

Compressing mash of base product into bricks and storing in damp environment to create mold spores and yeast

What is qu?

Fermentation agent in Baijiu, made from mash stored in damp environments creating mold spores and yeast

What is Moutai?

Type of Baijiu made with sorghum and wheat qu that goes through 7 cycles of fermentation and distillation

What is Erguotou?

Type of Baijiu associated with Beijing

What is Luzhou Laojiao?

Type of Baijiu known for complexity and unique aromas attributed to yellow clay cellars

What is Wallungye?

Called five grain drink, produced using sorghum, corn, wheat, rice, and glutinous rice

Where is Shochu made?

Japan

What does Shochu use as base products?

Barley, buckwheat, rice, or sweet potatoes, can also use molasses or sugar

How long is Shochu aged?

From 1 month - 3+ years

What is bottling strength of Shochu?

25%-35% ABV

What is koji?

Mold fermentation agent used in Shochu

White Koji

Most common koji, subtle and sweet taste

Yellow Koji

Used to make sake, lush and fruity taste

Black Koji

Extracts most character from base product, highest quality

What is most common type of Shochu?

Moromitori Shochu

What is Moromi?

Low alcohol mash distilled to make Shochu

What is Kasutori?

Type of Shochu made from left over lees from fermentation of Sake

Where is Soju made?

Korea

What ingredients do Sojus distill from?

Rice, barley, wheat

What is most common brand of Soju?

Jinro

What is ABV range for Soju?

16-45% ABV

What 5 procedures can gin be produced from according to US?

Original distillation of mash, redistillation of distilled spirits, mixing neutral spirits with juniper berries and other aromatics, mixing neutral spirits with extracts, mixing gin and neutral spirits

What ABV does US require gin to be bottled at?

Minimum 40% ABV

What ABV does EU require gin to be bottled at?

Minimum 37.5% ABV

What are most common base ingredients in gin?

Cereal grains, sugarcane, potatoes, sugar beets

What are examples of seed/been botanicals?

Aniseed, caraway, cardamom, cocoa, coriander, juniper, vanilla bean

What are examples of herb botanicals?

Angelica, chamomile, hyssop, marjoram, mint, rosemary, sage

What are examples of bark botanicals?

Cassia, cinnamon, quinine

What are examples of root botanicals?

Fennel, ginger, orrisroot, licorice root

What are examples of "other" botanicals?

Almond, calamus, clove, gentian

What does orrisroot add to spirits?

Floral aromas of violets

What does calamus add to spirits?

Substitute for ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg

What does cardamom add to spirits?

Smoky, mint, camphor, floral, resinous, grapefruit

What does cassia add to spirits?

Cinnamon, resin, pungent

What does gentian add to spirits?

Very bitter and aromatic

What does hyssop add to spirits?

Herbal, minty, bitter

What is distilled gin?

Gin produced using original distillation or redistillation

What is circulatory cold compounding method?

Mesh tray of botanicals is suspended in large tank and base spirit is repeatedly pumped over it

How is flavoring created in London Dry Gin?

Through distillation or redistillation

What is style of Plymouth Gin?

Clear in color, full bodied texture with fruity aromas and aromatic juniper berry

At what ABV must flavored gin be bottled?

Minimum 30% ABV

What is Steinhager produced with?

Triple distilled grain spirit, neutral spirit, and juniper berry distillate

What is style of ouide Genever?

Straw colored, relatively sweet, malty, no aging required

What is style of jonge Genever?

Drier and lighter in body

Where is PGI of Genever?

Netherlands, Belgium, 2 areas in France, some areas in Germany

What is Wacholder?

Classic juniper flavored German drink

What is suma?

Base of Raki made when must from sultana grapes is fermented into wine and distilled

What is Pastis?

Dry anise based spirit containing fennel, licorice root, and 48 other botanicals

What is Ouzo?

Greek apertif flavored with anise, cloves, cinnamon, other spices, mainly known as a sweetened spirit

Where is Pacharan produced?

North of Spain - Navarra, La Rioja, Spanish Basque Country)

How long is Pacharan soaked for?

1-8 months

At what ABV is Pacharan bottled?

25-30% ABV

Where is Akavit produced?

Scandinavia

What is main flavor in Akavit?

Caraway