Certified Specialist of Spirits / Score 100% /
New 2025 Update / CSS Study Guide &
Practice Exam
At what ABV do EU standards require whiskey bottling? - Minimum 40% ABV
At what ABV do EU standards require whiskey distillation? - Maximum 94.8% ABV
At what ABV do US standards require whiskey bottling? - Minimum 40% ABV
At what ABV do US standards require whiskey distillation? - Minimum 95% ABV
At what ABV is Baijiu typically bottled? - 40-60% ABV
At what ABV is Pacharan bottled? - 25-30% ABV
At what ABV is rum required to be bottled according to US? - 37.5% ABV
At what ABV is rum required to be bottled according to US? - 40% ABV
At what ABV is rum required to be distilled according to EU? - 192 proof
At what ABV is rum required to be distilled according to US? - 190 proof
At what ABV must flavored gin be bottled? - Minimum 30% ABV
Black Koji - Extracts most character from base product, highest quality
,Boiling Point of Water vs Alcohol - 212/173
Define Heads, Hearts, Tails - 1. Heads - first portion of distillate to come off of the still (AKA
Foreshoots)
-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
Do EU regulations of vodka allow for base materials other than potatoes or grain? - Yes, but
must be noted on the label
How do US Standards define grain spirits? - Neutral spirits distilled from fermented mash of
grain and stored in oak containers
How do US Standards define straight whiskey? - Must be a bourbon, rye, wheat, malt, rye malt,
or corn whiskey stored for a minimum of 2 years
, 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
How is flavoring created in London Dry Gin? - Through distillation or redistillation
How is Peruvian pisco aged? - Not in wood, minimum of 3 months in inert containers
How long does 100% agave anejo need to be aged? - 1 year
How long does 100% agave blanco need to be aged? - unaged
How long does 100% agave extra anejo need to be aged? - 3 years
How long does 100% agave reposado need to be aged? - 6 months
How long does cultured yeast take to convert sugar to alcohol? - 2-3 days
How long does fermenting agave take? - 3-10 days
How long does mash fermentation take while making whiskey? - 40-72 hours
How long does mixto anejo need to be aged? - 1 year
How long does mixto extra anejo need to be aged? - 3 years
How long does mixto reposado need to be aged? - 2 months
New 2025 Update / CSS Study Guide &
Practice Exam
At what ABV do EU standards require whiskey bottling? - Minimum 40% ABV
At what ABV do EU standards require whiskey distillation? - Maximum 94.8% ABV
At what ABV do US standards require whiskey bottling? - Minimum 40% ABV
At what ABV do US standards require whiskey distillation? - Minimum 95% ABV
At what ABV is Baijiu typically bottled? - 40-60% ABV
At what ABV is Pacharan bottled? - 25-30% ABV
At what ABV is rum required to be bottled according to US? - 37.5% ABV
At what ABV is rum required to be bottled according to US? - 40% ABV
At what ABV is rum required to be distilled according to EU? - 192 proof
At what ABV is rum required to be distilled according to US? - 190 proof
At what ABV must flavored gin be bottled? - Minimum 30% ABV
Black Koji - Extracts most character from base product, highest quality
,Boiling Point of Water vs Alcohol - 212/173
Define Heads, Hearts, Tails - 1. Heads - first portion of distillate to come off of the still (AKA
Foreshoots)
-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
Do EU regulations of vodka allow for base materials other than potatoes or grain? - Yes, but
must be noted on the label
How do US Standards define grain spirits? - Neutral spirits distilled from fermented mash of
grain and stored in oak containers
How do US Standards define straight whiskey? - Must be a bourbon, rye, wheat, malt, rye malt,
or corn whiskey stored for a minimum of 2 years
, 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
How is flavoring created in London Dry Gin? - Through distillation or redistillation
How is Peruvian pisco aged? - Not in wood, minimum of 3 months in inert containers
How long does 100% agave anejo need to be aged? - 1 year
How long does 100% agave blanco need to be aged? - unaged
How long does 100% agave extra anejo need to be aged? - 3 years
How long does 100% agave reposado need to be aged? - 6 months
How long does cultured yeast take to convert sugar to alcohol? - 2-3 days
How long does fermenting agave take? - 3-10 days
How long does mash fermentation take while making whiskey? - 40-72 hours
How long does mixto anejo need to be aged? - 1 year
How long does mixto extra anejo need to be aged? - 3 years
How long does mixto reposado need to be aged? - 2 months
