WSET Level 2 Spirits
WSET Level 2 Spirits Test Questions and
Answers
Question 1
What is the aim of processing the raw material?
Correct Answer
To create a sugary liquid
Question 2
What happens during alcoholic fermentation?
Correct Answer
Yeast eats sugars to create alcohol, congeners and carbon dioxide
Question 3
What system is used in the USA to express alcohol content?
Correct Answer
Proof. Two degrees proof equals 1% abv
Question 4
What is the aim of distillation?
Correct Answer
To select and concentrate parts of the alcoholic liquid (alcohol and congeners) and
leave others behind
Question 5
What is the aim of post-distillation operations?
Correct Answer
To ensure that when a spirit is put on sale it has the correct colour, aroma,
sweetness and alcoholic strength
Page 1 of 29
, WSET Level 2 Spirits
Question 6
What is the most important alcohol in a spirit?
Correct Answer
Ethanol
Question 7
What type of aromas are created by esters?
Correct Answer
Fruity aromas
Question 8
What is the appearance of a newly made spirit?
Correct Answer
Water-white and colourless
Question 9
Ethanol boils at a lower temperature than pure water. True or False?
Correct Answer
TRUE
Question 10
What is the name of the section of the still between the pot and the head?
Correct Answer
Swan neck
Question 11
What is the typical heat source for a pot still?
Correct Answer
Steam
Page 2 of 29
, WSET Level 2 Spirits
Question 12
What is the purpose of a condenser in a pot still?
Correct Answer
Converts the vapours back to a liquid
Question 13
In pot still distillation, what happens in the first distillation?
Correct Answer
Distil alcoholic liquid into low wines, discard watery waste
Question 14
In pot still distillation, what is the typical abv of the low wines?
Correct Answer
25-30%
Question 15
In pot still distillation, what happens in the second distillation?
Correct Answer
Distil low wines with heads and tails of previous batch, separate heads, hearts and
tails, discard watery waste
Question 16
What happens to the heads and tails at the end of the second distillation?
Correct Answer
They are collected and used for the next distillation
Question 17
What is the name for the portion of the second distillation that will be kept and sold?
Correct Answer
Heart
Page 3 of 29
WSET Level 2 Spirits Test Questions and
Answers
Question 1
What is the aim of processing the raw material?
Correct Answer
To create a sugary liquid
Question 2
What happens during alcoholic fermentation?
Correct Answer
Yeast eats sugars to create alcohol, congeners and carbon dioxide
Question 3
What system is used in the USA to express alcohol content?
Correct Answer
Proof. Two degrees proof equals 1% abv
Question 4
What is the aim of distillation?
Correct Answer
To select and concentrate parts of the alcoholic liquid (alcohol and congeners) and
leave others behind
Question 5
What is the aim of post-distillation operations?
Correct Answer
To ensure that when a spirit is put on sale it has the correct colour, aroma,
sweetness and alcoholic strength
Page 1 of 29
, WSET Level 2 Spirits
Question 6
What is the most important alcohol in a spirit?
Correct Answer
Ethanol
Question 7
What type of aromas are created by esters?
Correct Answer
Fruity aromas
Question 8
What is the appearance of a newly made spirit?
Correct Answer
Water-white and colourless
Question 9
Ethanol boils at a lower temperature than pure water. True or False?
Correct Answer
TRUE
Question 10
What is the name of the section of the still between the pot and the head?
Correct Answer
Swan neck
Question 11
What is the typical heat source for a pot still?
Correct Answer
Steam
Page 2 of 29
, WSET Level 2 Spirits
Question 12
What is the purpose of a condenser in a pot still?
Correct Answer
Converts the vapours back to a liquid
Question 13
In pot still distillation, what happens in the first distillation?
Correct Answer
Distil alcoholic liquid into low wines, discard watery waste
Question 14
In pot still distillation, what is the typical abv of the low wines?
Correct Answer
25-30%
Question 15
In pot still distillation, what happens in the second distillation?
Correct Answer
Distil low wines with heads and tails of previous batch, separate heads, hearts and
tails, discard watery waste
Question 16
What happens to the heads and tails at the end of the second distillation?
Correct Answer
They are collected and used for the next distillation
Question 17
What is the name for the portion of the second distillation that will be kept and sold?
Correct Answer
Heart
Page 3 of 29
