WSET Level 1 Spirits Exam Study Guide
Spirits Production Process - Answer✔✔-Process Raw Materials
Fermentation
Distillation
After Distillation
Aim of processing raw material? - Answer✔✔-Create a sugary liquid so that fermentation can
take place
What do you add to sugary liquid? - Answer✔✔-Water
Aim of fermentation? - Answer✔✔-Turn surgery liquid into alcoholic liquid
Aim of distillation - Answer✔✔-Concentrate level of alcohol in the fermented alcoholic liquid
Aim of after distillation - Answer✔✔-New spirit is colorless and dry. Adjust color aroma
sweetness and alcoholic strength
What is a brandy? - Answer✔✔-Any spirit made from fruit
What is a grape brandy - Answer✔✔-Wine that has been distilled. Best known is Cognac which
comes from SW France
Steps to make Cognac - Answer✔✔-Process grapes
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Fermentation
Distilled
After Distillation
Cognac must be distilled how? - Answer✔✔-Double distilled in a pot still
Pot stills produce what kind of spirits? - Answer✔✔-Low strength, a lot of flavor and character
How long must Cognac be aged in oak barrels? - Answer✔✔-At least two years
What flavor does oak ageing give? - Answer✔✔-Vanilla and toast, after longer-fruit cake and
toffee aromas
Types of cognac - Answer✔✔-VS
VSOP
XO
True or false: vodka can be made from any raw material - Answer✔✔-True-high quality made
from- barley, wheat, rye, and potatoes
Vodka must be distilled to a strength of at least what? - Answer✔✔-95 or 96%
Distillation of vodka? - Answer✔✔-Column still
After distillation-vodka is reduced to what abv? - Answer✔✔-40%
Unaged spirits after distillation process - Answer✔✔-Colorless, stores in stainless steel tanks
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