WSET Level 2 Spirits Exam Questions
and Answers Graded A+
What is the aim of processing the raw material? - Correct answer-To create a
sugary liquid
What happens during alcoholic fermentation? - Correct answer-Yeast eats sugars to
create alcohol, congeners and carbon dioxide
What system is used in the USA to express alcohol content? - Correct answer-
Proof. Two degrees proof equals 1% abv
What is the aim of distillation? - Correct answer-To select and concentrate parts of
the alcoholic liquid (alcohol and congeners) and leave others behind
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
What is the most important alcohol in a spirit? - Correct answer-Ethanol
What type of aromas are created by esters? - Correct answer-Fruity aromas
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,What is the appearance of a newly made spirit? - Correct answer-Water-white and
colourless
Ethanol boils at a lower temperature than pure water. True or False? - Correct
answer-TRUE
What is the name of the section of the still between the pot and the head? - Correct
answer-Swan neck
What is the typical heat source for a pot still? - Correct answer-Steam
What is the purpose of a condenser in a pot still? - Correct answer-Converts the
vapours back to a liquid
In pot still distillation, what happens in the first distillation? - Correct answer-Distil
alcoholic liquid into low wines, discard watery waste
In pot still distillation, what is the typical abv of the low wines? - Correct answer-
25-30%
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
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
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, What is the name for the portion of the second distillation that will be kept and
sold? - Correct answer-Heart
Column stills can run continuously. True or false? - Correct answer-TRUE
In a column still, where are the hearts typically taken from? - Correct answer-A
plate just below the top of the still
What is the highest abv that can be reached in a column still? - Correct answer-
96%
What intensity would you expect in a spirit taken off the still at 75%? - Correct
answer-Pronounced
What intensity would you expect in a spirit taken off the still at 96%? - Correct
answer-Neutral
What is the function of the bubblecap on a plate? - Correct answer-Forces vapours
through the layer of alcoholic liquid on the plate. The heat in the vapours means
the liquid is kept boiling
What is the function of the downcomer on a plate? - Correct answer-Allows water
and less volatile fractions to overflow to the plate below
Put the following post-distillation operations in the correct order:
Finishing
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and Answers Graded A+
What is the aim of processing the raw material? - Correct answer-To create a
sugary liquid
What happens during alcoholic fermentation? - Correct answer-Yeast eats sugars to
create alcohol, congeners and carbon dioxide
What system is used in the USA to express alcohol content? - Correct answer-
Proof. Two degrees proof equals 1% abv
What is the aim of distillation? - Correct answer-To select and concentrate parts of
the alcoholic liquid (alcohol and congeners) and leave others behind
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
What is the most important alcohol in a spirit? - Correct answer-Ethanol
What type of aromas are created by esters? - Correct answer-Fruity aromas
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,What is the appearance of a newly made spirit? - Correct answer-Water-white and
colourless
Ethanol boils at a lower temperature than pure water. True or False? - Correct
answer-TRUE
What is the name of the section of the still between the pot and the head? - Correct
answer-Swan neck
What is the typical heat source for a pot still? - Correct answer-Steam
What is the purpose of a condenser in a pot still? - Correct answer-Converts the
vapours back to a liquid
In pot still distillation, what happens in the first distillation? - Correct answer-Distil
alcoholic liquid into low wines, discard watery waste
In pot still distillation, what is the typical abv of the low wines? - Correct answer-
25-30%
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
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
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, What is the name for the portion of the second distillation that will be kept and
sold? - Correct answer-Heart
Column stills can run continuously. True or false? - Correct answer-TRUE
In a column still, where are the hearts typically taken from? - Correct answer-A
plate just below the top of the still
What is the highest abv that can be reached in a column still? - Correct answer-
96%
What intensity would you expect in a spirit taken off the still at 75%? - Correct
answer-Pronounced
What intensity would you expect in a spirit taken off the still at 96%? - Correct
answer-Neutral
What is the function of the bubblecap on a plate? - Correct answer-Forces vapours
through the layer of alcoholic liquid on the plate. The heat in the vapours means
the liquid is kept boiling
What is the function of the downcomer on a plate? - Correct answer-Allows water
and less volatile fractions to overflow to the plate below
Put the following post-distillation operations in the correct order:
Finishing
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