WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits

What is the aim of processing the raw material? - Answer- To produce a sugary liquid What is the process of alcoholic fermentation? - Answer- Yeast eats sugar and converts it into alcohol, carbon dioxide and aromas What is the typical abv of a fermented liquid - Answer- 8-10% What is the aim of distillation? - Answer- To concentrate the level of ethanal in a fermented alcoholic liquid True or false: ethanol boils at a lower temperature than water - Answer- True What word is used to describe the aroma intensity of a spirit distilled to 96%? - Answer- Neutral What are the names of the two types of stills? - Answer- Pot stills and column stills True or false: pot still can be run continuously - Answer- False What are the 4 things that can be adjusted post-distillation? - Answer- Colour, aroma, sweetness and alcoholic strength What does oak ageing change in a spirit? - Answer- Colour and aroma What are the aims of blending spirits? - Answer- Consistency and complexity What is the name of the colouring material that can be added to oak-aged spirits? - Answer- Caramel colour True or false: all newly made spirits are dry - Answer- True What is the bottling strength for most spirits? - Answer- 40% abv What is the raw material for Cognac? - Answer- Grapes What type of still is used in Cognac? - Answer- Pot still Put the following Cognac terms in order from least aged to most aged: VSOP XO VS - Answer- VS VSOP XO