1|Page
WSET LEVEL 2 SPIRITS EXAM ACTUAL PREP
QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED ANSWERS -
LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS – ASSURED PASS
What is important about the barrels used for Bourbon maturation? - ANSWER-
New charred oak. This will add vanilla, coconut and sweet spice flavours
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 maple-wood
charcoal before it is aged
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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? - ANSWERRye -
minimum 51%
What are the flavours associated with Rye grains? - ANSWER-Spicy, lemon-zest,
rye bread
What is typically blended in Canadian Whisky? - ANSWER-Small amounts of
pronounced whisky (flavouring whisky) made from Rye are blended with light-
flavoured, high strength whisky made from corn
What is important for the production of Single Malt Scotch Whisky? - ANSWER-
Must be the product of one distillery, made using malted barley, distilled in a pot
still, matured in oak for three years
What is peat? - ANSWER-Partly decayed vegetation
What part of the distillation process is peat used in? - ANSWER-As the fuel to
heat the grains at the end of malting
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What effect does the shape and height of the still have on the whisky produced? -
ANSWER-Short stills produce spirits with more pronounced aromas, tall stills
produce a lighter style
Where do the majority of oak barrels used in Scotland come from? - ANSWER-
USA - ex-bourbon
What is 'wood finishing' in Single Malt Scotch Whisky production? - ANSWER-
The whisky is moved into a different barrel for a short amount of time at the end of
maturation. The barrels have previously contained a wine or spirit (e.g. Port or
Sherry) which will add flavour and sometimes colour to the whisky
What is important for the production of Blended Scotch Whisky? - ANSWER-It is
a blend of malt whisky and grain whisky from different distilleries. The grain
whisky is distilled to a high strength in a column still
What are the five whisky regions of Scotland? - ANSWER-Islay,
Highland, Campbeltown, Speyside, Lowland
What does the age indication on a bottle of Scotch Whisky indicate? -
ANSWER-The youngest whisky used in the blend
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What does the term 'natural colour' mean on a bottle of Whisky? - ANSWER-The
distiller has not used caramel to enhance the colour
What does the term 'cask strength' mean on a Whisky? - ANSWER-The whisky
has been bottled undiluted
What is a feature of some Irish Whiskey? - ANSWER-Use of unmalted barley.
Adds spice, fruit and oily aromas
What type of whiskies are made in Japan? - ANSWER-Grain whiskies in column
stills and malt whiskies in pot stills for both malt and blended whisky
What is the raw material for rum? - ANSWER-Sugar cane
What are the two sugar cane products used for rum? - ANSWER-Sugar cane juice
and molasses
What are the aromas associated with rums made from sugar cane juice? -
ANSWER-Vegetal, grassy and fruity aromas
What are the key considerations for oak barrels? - ANSWER-Barrel age
WSET LEVEL 2 SPIRITS EXAM ACTUAL PREP
QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED ANSWERS -
LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS – ASSURED PASS
What is important about the barrels used for Bourbon maturation? - ANSWER-
New charred oak. This will add vanilla, coconut and sweet spice flavours
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 maple-wood
charcoal before it is aged
,2|Page
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? - ANSWERRye -
minimum 51%
What are the flavours associated with Rye grains? - ANSWER-Spicy, lemon-zest,
rye bread
What is typically blended in Canadian Whisky? - ANSWER-Small amounts of
pronounced whisky (flavouring whisky) made from Rye are blended with light-
flavoured, high strength whisky made from corn
What is important for the production of Single Malt Scotch Whisky? - ANSWER-
Must be the product of one distillery, made using malted barley, distilled in a pot
still, matured in oak for three years
What is peat? - ANSWER-Partly decayed vegetation
What part of the distillation process is peat used in? - ANSWER-As the fuel to
heat the grains at the end of malting
,3|Page
What effect does the shape and height of the still have on the whisky produced? -
ANSWER-Short stills produce spirits with more pronounced aromas, tall stills
produce a lighter style
Where do the majority of oak barrels used in Scotland come from? - ANSWER-
USA - ex-bourbon
What is 'wood finishing' in Single Malt Scotch Whisky production? - ANSWER-
The whisky is moved into a different barrel for a short amount of time at the end of
maturation. The barrels have previously contained a wine or spirit (e.g. Port or
Sherry) which will add flavour and sometimes colour to the whisky
What is important for the production of Blended Scotch Whisky? - ANSWER-It is
a blend of malt whisky and grain whisky from different distilleries. The grain
whisky is distilled to a high strength in a column still
What are the five whisky regions of Scotland? - ANSWER-Islay,
Highland, Campbeltown, Speyside, Lowland
What does the age indication on a bottle of Scotch Whisky indicate? -
ANSWER-The youngest whisky used in the blend
, 4|Page
What does the term 'natural colour' mean on a bottle of Whisky? - ANSWER-The
distiller has not used caramel to enhance the colour
What does the term 'cask strength' mean on a Whisky? - ANSWER-The whisky
has been bottled undiluted
What is a feature of some Irish Whiskey? - ANSWER-Use of unmalted barley.
Adds spice, fruit and oily aromas
What type of whiskies are made in Japan? - ANSWER-Grain whiskies in column
stills and malt whiskies in pot stills for both malt and blended whisky
What is the raw material for rum? - ANSWER-Sugar cane
What are the two sugar cane products used for rum? - ANSWER-Sugar cane juice
and molasses
What are the aromas associated with rums made from sugar cane juice? -
ANSWER-Vegetal, grassy and fruity aromas
What are the key considerations for oak barrels? - ANSWER-Barrel age
