WSET Level 2 Spirits Exam Prep Test Bank 1 with 200
Questions and Correct Answers for Real Exam Practice/
WSET Level 2 Spirits Exam Qs with 100% Correct Answers
What are the most important grains for whisky production? - ANSWER-Barley,
corn, wheat, rye
What is Whisky made from? - ANSWER-Must be made from grains
What are the (5) rules for Single Malt Scotch Whiskey? - ANSWER-1) Made in
Scotland
2) Malted Barley
3) Pot stills
4) Matured three years in oak barrels
5) Product of one distillery
What are the four rules to Straight Bourbon? - ANSWER-1) 🇺🇸
2) At least 51% corn
3 Matured at least 2 years in new charred oak barrels
4) Distilled to no more than 80% abv (160 proof)
What needs to happen in grains to create sugar? - ANSWER-Convert the starch
What are the two techniques to convert starch into sugar? - ANSWER-Malting and
cooking
pg. 1
,Which is the grain that undergoes malting? - ANSWER-Barley
What happens during malting? - ANSWER-Grains of barley are placed in a warm,
damp room.
As the grains grow the plant releases enzymes.
Growth is stopped by heating the grains.
What do the enzymes created by malting do? - ANSWER-Convert starch into
sugar
What is the name of the sweet liquid created after malting? - ANSWER-Wort
Where can be Bourbon be made? - ANSWER-Anywhere in the USA, majority
produced in Kentucky
What does the term 'mash bill' refer to? - ANSWER-The combination of grains
used in a whisky
What is the main grain used for Bourbon production? - ANSWER-Corn -
minimum 51%
What are the flavours associated with Corn grains? - ANSWER-Sweetcorn
What type of still is typically used for Bourbon? - ANSWER-Column still - but the
newly made spirit is distilled to a low strength
What is important about the barrels used for Bourbon maturation? - ANSWER-
New charred oak. This will add vanilla, coconut and sweet spice flavours
pg. 2
, What does the term 'single barrel' mean on a bottle of Bourbon? - ANSWER-A
Bourbon made from just one barrel that the distiller considers to be exceptional
What does the term 'small batch' indicate on a bottle of Bourbon? - ANSWER-A
higher quality product made from a small number of selected casks
What does the term 'straight' indicate on a bottle of Bourbon? - ANSWER-The
whiskey has been matured for at least two years in new oak barrels and that no
colour or flavour has been added
Where can Tennessee Whiskey be made? - ANSWER-Tennessee
What is the additional process required for Tennessee Whiskey? - ANSWER-The
Lincoln County Process - the newly made spirit is filtered through charcoal before
it is aged
What does the term 'sour mash' indicate on a bottle of Tennessee Whiskey? -
ANSWER-The acidic residue at the base of the column still from previous
distillation has been added back to the fermenter
What is the main grain used for Rye Whiskey production? - ANSWER-Rye -
minimum 51%
What are the flavours associated with Rye grains? - ANSWER-Spicy, lemon-zest,
rye bread
pg. 3
Questions and Correct Answers for Real Exam Practice/
WSET Level 2 Spirits Exam Qs with 100% Correct Answers
What are the most important grains for whisky production? - ANSWER-Barley,
corn, wheat, rye
What is Whisky made from? - ANSWER-Must be made from grains
What are the (5) rules for Single Malt Scotch Whiskey? - ANSWER-1) Made in
Scotland
2) Malted Barley
3) Pot stills
4) Matured three years in oak barrels
5) Product of one distillery
What are the four rules to Straight Bourbon? - ANSWER-1) 🇺🇸
2) At least 51% corn
3 Matured at least 2 years in new charred oak barrels
4) Distilled to no more than 80% abv (160 proof)
What needs to happen in grains to create sugar? - ANSWER-Convert the starch
What are the two techniques to convert starch into sugar? - ANSWER-Malting and
cooking
pg. 1
,Which is the grain that undergoes malting? - ANSWER-Barley
What happens during malting? - ANSWER-Grains of barley are placed in a warm,
damp room.
As the grains grow the plant releases enzymes.
Growth is stopped by heating the grains.
What do the enzymes created by malting do? - ANSWER-Convert starch into
sugar
What is the name of the sweet liquid created after malting? - ANSWER-Wort
Where can be Bourbon be made? - ANSWER-Anywhere in the USA, majority
produced in Kentucky
What does the term 'mash bill' refer to? - ANSWER-The combination of grains
used in a whisky
What is the main grain used for Bourbon production? - ANSWER-Corn -
minimum 51%
What are the flavours associated with Corn grains? - ANSWER-Sweetcorn
What type of still is typically used for Bourbon? - ANSWER-Column still - but the
newly made spirit is distilled to a low strength
What is important about the barrels used for Bourbon maturation? - ANSWER-
New charred oak. This will add vanilla, coconut and sweet spice flavours
pg. 2
, What does the term 'single barrel' mean on a bottle of Bourbon? - ANSWER-A
Bourbon made from just one barrel that the distiller considers to be exceptional
What does the term 'small batch' indicate on a bottle of Bourbon? - ANSWER-A
higher quality product made from a small number of selected casks
What does the term 'straight' indicate on a bottle of Bourbon? - ANSWER-The
whiskey has been matured for at least two years in new oak barrels and that no
colour or flavour has been added
Where can Tennessee Whiskey be made? - ANSWER-Tennessee
What is the additional process required for Tennessee Whiskey? - ANSWER-The
Lincoln County Process - the newly made spirit is filtered through charcoal before
it is aged
What does the term 'sour mash' indicate on a bottle of Tennessee Whiskey? -
ANSWER-The acidic residue at the base of the column still from previous
distillation has been added back to the fermenter
What is the main grain used for Rye Whiskey production? - ANSWER-Rye -
minimum 51%
What are the flavours associated with Rye grains? - ANSWER-Spicy, lemon-zest,
rye bread
pg. 3
