2025/2026 WSET Level 1 Spirits Exam Prep Test Bank
with Real Exam Practice Questions and Correct Answers /
WSET Level 1 Spirits Exam Qs with 100% Verified
Answers|||Latest Version|||Graded A+
What makes a single malt whiskey - Answer –
1. made from 100% malted barley
2. distilled in pot stills
3. Be from one distillery
4. aged for at least 3 years (all scotches)
What makes a blended scotch whiskey - Answer -they must be a
blend of malt whiskies and grain whiskey's from different distilleries.
If a label states a Scotch is a single malt whiskey what does it tell you
about how the whisky was made? - Answer –
1. Made with 100% barley
2. Made through pot distillation
What 3 factors determine whether or not a whiskey is a Bourbon -
Answer –
1. At least 51% of the grain used must be corn (other grains used
include barley and rye)
2. It is typically distilled using a column still to a low strength
2. It has to be aged in new charred oak barrels
The main difference between a Bourbon and a Tennessee whiskey -
Answer -the newly made Tennessee spirit must be passed through a
maple charcoal filter before oak ageing. (The charcoal used does not
create a very fine filter but it does remove some impurities and helps
to give the spirit a smoother character. This process doesn't add any
flavor.)
What makes rye whiskey different than a Bourbon - Answer –
pg. 1
,1. Grains- at least 51% of the grains used must be rye
2. Aromas and flavors- rye gives the whiskey a spicy and peppery
lemon scented aromas and flavors compare to the sweetcorn flavors
of Bourbon
Which 5 countries are commonly known for their whiskey
production? - Answer -Scotland, Japan, Canada, Ireland, USA
How long must Scotch whisky be aged for - Answer -3 years in
Scotland
What happens during the first stage of whiskey production? - Answer
-Grains are full of starch that needs to be converted to sugar before
fermentation. The classic method is to let the grains of barley do all of
the work. First the grains go through a process called malting. They
are then crushed and mixed with water to create a sugary liquid.
What's the 4th stage of whiskey production? - Answer -Post-
distillation. All whiskies are aged in oak, matured, blended and if
necessary colored to create the exact style the producer is looking for.
Most whiskies are diluted to 40% abv prior to bottling.
What are the 2 important types of Scotch Whiskey? - Answer -Single
Malt and Blended
Explain the characteristics of single malt whiskey - Answer –
Must be made from 100% barley
Must be distilled in pot stills and come from one distillery.
They have flavors of cereal, fruits, flowers, honey, fruit cake and
sweet spices.
Smoke is sometimes found in these whiskies which comes from
burning peat- this is done when the grains are heated at the end of the
malting process. Only a few single malt whiskies have peat flavors
and in some of these the smokey flavors are pronounced.
pg. 2
,Explain the characteristics of a blended scotch whisky - Answer -must
be a blend of malt whiskies and grain whiskies from different
distilleries.
Grain whiskey is made using a mix of grains, it is distilled in a
column still and has a light flavor intensity. Grain whiskey is hardly
ever sold on its own.
Blended scotch whiskies vary a lot; some only have a medium
intensity and are relatively simple but others can be pronounced and
complex. They are typically smoother than malt whiskeys.
What are the 3 main types of American whiskey - Answer -Bourbon,
Rye, and Tennessee
Explain the characteristics of a Bourbon - Answer –
Bourbon can be made anywhere in the USA but the main state is
Kentucky.
At least 51% of the grain used must be corn. Other grains used are
barley, wheat and rye.
Typically made with a column still but the maximum permitted
strength is low and the spirit produced has pronounced flavours.
Bourbon must be aged in new oak barrels for pronounced and
complex flavors of sweetcorn, cereal, fruit, vanilla, and coconut
Explain the characteristics of a Tennessee Whiskey - Answer –
Can only be made in the state of Tennessee.
Made the same way as bourbon except it must be passed through a
maple charcoal filter before it is put into oak barrels. The charcoal
filter removes some impurities and helps give a smoother character
while not adding any flavor.
Explain the characteristics of a Rye whiskey - Answer -made in the
exact same ways as bourbon except at least 51% of the grains used
must be rye. Rye gives a slight scent of lemon and spicy/peppery
aromas
pg. 3
, Explain the characteristics of Irish Whiskey - Answer –
Majority of Irish whiskies are made from a blend of pot and column
still spirits. They are typically lighter and smoother in character than
Scotch whiskey but the amount of variety and choice is currently
growing rapidly.
Explain the characteristics of Canadian Whiskey - Answer -made
using many different grains and typically a blend of high and low
strength spirits. Rye is the signature flavor of the best Canadian
whiskies
Explain the characteristics of Japanese Whiskey - Answer -Japan
produced whiskey using the Scottish model. They produce both malt
and blended whiskies that are elegant and refined.
Why would a producer typically add caramel coloring after blending -
Answer -For batch consistency
What flavor do rums made from sugar cane juice often have - Answer
-A very pronounced grassy, herbaceous flavor
What flavor do rums made from molasses often have - Answer -
Caramel and brown sugar flavors
When does fermentation begin in molasses and sugar cane based rums
- Answer -Sugar cane juice can be fermented straight away whereas
molasses must be mixed with water before it can be fermented
If a distiller wants to create a pronounced, characterful spirit they
might use this kind of still - Answer -a pot still
If a distiller wants to create a spirit with light aroma intensities they
might use this kind of still - Answer -a column still
Spirits Production Process - Answer –
Process Raw Materials
Fermentation
Distillation
pg. 4
with Real Exam Practice Questions and Correct Answers /
WSET Level 1 Spirits Exam Qs with 100% Verified
Answers|||Latest Version|||Graded A+
What makes a single malt whiskey - Answer –
1. made from 100% malted barley
2. distilled in pot stills
3. Be from one distillery
4. aged for at least 3 years (all scotches)
What makes a blended scotch whiskey - Answer -they must be a
blend of malt whiskies and grain whiskey's from different distilleries.
If a label states a Scotch is a single malt whiskey what does it tell you
about how the whisky was made? - Answer –
1. Made with 100% barley
2. Made through pot distillation
What 3 factors determine whether or not a whiskey is a Bourbon -
Answer –
1. At least 51% of the grain used must be corn (other grains used
include barley and rye)
2. It is typically distilled using a column still to a low strength
2. It has to be aged in new charred oak barrels
The main difference between a Bourbon and a Tennessee whiskey -
Answer -the newly made Tennessee spirit must be passed through a
maple charcoal filter before oak ageing. (The charcoal used does not
create a very fine filter but it does remove some impurities and helps
to give the spirit a smoother character. This process doesn't add any
flavor.)
What makes rye whiskey different than a Bourbon - Answer –
pg. 1
,1. Grains- at least 51% of the grains used must be rye
2. Aromas and flavors- rye gives the whiskey a spicy and peppery
lemon scented aromas and flavors compare to the sweetcorn flavors
of Bourbon
Which 5 countries are commonly known for their whiskey
production? - Answer -Scotland, Japan, Canada, Ireland, USA
How long must Scotch whisky be aged for - Answer -3 years in
Scotland
What happens during the first stage of whiskey production? - Answer
-Grains are full of starch that needs to be converted to sugar before
fermentation. The classic method is to let the grains of barley do all of
the work. First the grains go through a process called malting. They
are then crushed and mixed with water to create a sugary liquid.
What's the 4th stage of whiskey production? - Answer -Post-
distillation. All whiskies are aged in oak, matured, blended and if
necessary colored to create the exact style the producer is looking for.
Most whiskies are diluted to 40% abv prior to bottling.
What are the 2 important types of Scotch Whiskey? - Answer -Single
Malt and Blended
Explain the characteristics of single malt whiskey - Answer –
Must be made from 100% barley
Must be distilled in pot stills and come from one distillery.
They have flavors of cereal, fruits, flowers, honey, fruit cake and
sweet spices.
Smoke is sometimes found in these whiskies which comes from
burning peat- this is done when the grains are heated at the end of the
malting process. Only a few single malt whiskies have peat flavors
and in some of these the smokey flavors are pronounced.
pg. 2
,Explain the characteristics of a blended scotch whisky - Answer -must
be a blend of malt whiskies and grain whiskies from different
distilleries.
Grain whiskey is made using a mix of grains, it is distilled in a
column still and has a light flavor intensity. Grain whiskey is hardly
ever sold on its own.
Blended scotch whiskies vary a lot; some only have a medium
intensity and are relatively simple but others can be pronounced and
complex. They are typically smoother than malt whiskeys.
What are the 3 main types of American whiskey - Answer -Bourbon,
Rye, and Tennessee
Explain the characteristics of a Bourbon - Answer –
Bourbon can be made anywhere in the USA but the main state is
Kentucky.
At least 51% of the grain used must be corn. Other grains used are
barley, wheat and rye.
Typically made with a column still but the maximum permitted
strength is low and the spirit produced has pronounced flavours.
Bourbon must be aged in new oak barrels for pronounced and
complex flavors of sweetcorn, cereal, fruit, vanilla, and coconut
Explain the characteristics of a Tennessee Whiskey - Answer –
Can only be made in the state of Tennessee.
Made the same way as bourbon except it must be passed through a
maple charcoal filter before it is put into oak barrels. The charcoal
filter removes some impurities and helps give a smoother character
while not adding any flavor.
Explain the characteristics of a Rye whiskey - Answer -made in the
exact same ways as bourbon except at least 51% of the grains used
must be rye. Rye gives a slight scent of lemon and spicy/peppery
aromas
pg. 3
, Explain the characteristics of Irish Whiskey - Answer –
Majority of Irish whiskies are made from a blend of pot and column
still spirits. They are typically lighter and smoother in character than
Scotch whiskey but the amount of variety and choice is currently
growing rapidly.
Explain the characteristics of Canadian Whiskey - Answer -made
using many different grains and typically a blend of high and low
strength spirits. Rye is the signature flavor of the best Canadian
whiskies
Explain the characteristics of Japanese Whiskey - Answer -Japan
produced whiskey using the Scottish model. They produce both malt
and blended whiskies that are elegant and refined.
Why would a producer typically add caramel coloring after blending -
Answer -For batch consistency
What flavor do rums made from sugar cane juice often have - Answer
-A very pronounced grassy, herbaceous flavor
What flavor do rums made from molasses often have - Answer -
Caramel and brown sugar flavors
When does fermentation begin in molasses and sugar cane based rums
- Answer -Sugar cane juice can be fermented straight away whereas
molasses must be mixed with water before it can be fermented
If a distiller wants to create a pronounced, characterful spirit they
might use this kind of still - Answer -a pot still
If a distiller wants to create a spirit with light aroma intensities they
might use this kind of still - Answer -a column still
Spirits Production Process - Answer –
Process Raw Materials
Fermentation
Distillation
pg. 4
