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2023-2024 WSET Others Level 2 Spirits Exam With Answers (152 Solved Questions)

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    WSET Level 2 Spirits Exam 2023-2024 What is the aim of processing the raw material? - ANSWER To create a sugary liquid What happens during alcoholic fermentation? - ANSWER Yeast eats sugars to create alcohol, congeners and carbon dioxide What system is used in the USA to express alcohol content? - ANSWER Proof. Two degrees proof equals 1% abv What is the aim of distillation? - 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? - 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? - ANSWER Ethanol What type of aromas are created by esters? - ANSWER Fruity aromas What is the appearance of a newly made spirit? - ANSWER Water-white and colourless Ethanol boils at a lower temperature than pure water. True or False? - ANSWER TRUE What is the name of the section of the still between the pot and the head? - ANSWER Swan neck What is the typical heat source for a pot still? - ANSWER Steam What is the purpose of a condenser in a pot still? - ANSWER Converts the vapours back to a liquid In pot still distillation, what happens in the first distillation? - ANSWER Distil alcoholic liquid into low wines, discard watery waste In pot still distillation, what is the typical abv of the low wines? - ANSWER 25-30% In pot still distillation, what happens in the second distillation? - ANSWER Distil

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    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? - ANSWER They are collected and used for the next distillation What is the name for the portion of the second distillation that will be kept and sold? - ANSWER Heart Column stills can run continuously. True or false? - ANSWER TRUE In a column still, where are the hearts typically taken from? - ANSWER A plate just below the top of the still What is the highest abv that can be reached in a column still? - ANSWER 96% What intensity would you expect in a spirit taken off the still at 75%? - ANSWER Pronounced What intensity would you expect in a spirit taken off the still at 96%? - ANSWER Neutral What is the function of the bubblecap on a plate? - 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? - ANSWER Allows water and less volatile fractions to overflow to the plate below Put the following post-distillation operations in the correct order: Finishing Adding other flavours Maturation Blending - ANSWER Maturation Adding other flavours Blending Finishing What are the affects of oak maturation? - ANSWER Adding colour and congeners

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    Exposure to oxygen Evaporation of water and alcohol Remove harshness What are the key considerations for oak barrels? - ANSWER Barrel age Previous contents Warehouse temperature What materials are typically used for inert vessels? - ANSWER Stainless steel or glass What will change in a spirit that is stored in an inert vessel for a number of months? - ANSWER It becomes smooth and more mouthfilling What are the aims of blending a spirit? - ANSWER Consistency and complexity What are the options for finishing a spirit? - ANSWER Adding water Adding colour Adding sugar Filtration What is the name of the material added to change the colour of an oak matured spirit? - ANSWER Caramel What is the name of the process that removes potential haziness from a spirit? - ANSWER Chill-filtration How are grapes, pears and apples processed? - ANSWER Crushed and pressed What are differences in processing white grape pomace and black grape pomace? - ANSWER White grape pomace contains some juice, the skins are mixed with water and the liquid is fermented. Black grape skins contain alcohol, they can be distilled immediately. What is the main grape variety used for Cognac production? - ANSWER Ugni Blanc What are the sub-regions of Cognac? - ANSWER Grande Champagne, Petite

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    Champagne, Borderies What does the term 'Fine Champagne' mean on a bottle of a Cognac? - ANSWER A blend of spirits from Grande Champagne (minimum 50%) and Petite Champagne What are the two relatively rare features of a pot still in Cognac? - ANSWER Must be directly heated with flames, must use a 'worm tub' condenser What is the minimum length of maturation for a Cognac? - ANSWER Two years Cognacs are typically slightly sweetened before bottling. True or False? - ANSWER TRUE What are the three main grape varieties used for Armagnac? - ANSWER Ugni Blanc, Baco Blanc, Folle Blanche Why type of still is typically used for Armagnac production? - ANSWER Column still - short column with relatively few plates What is the name of an Armagnac aged for a minimum of 3 months in stainless steel? - ANSWER Blanche Vintage spirits are produced in Cognac. True or False? - ANSWER FALSE What fruit is Calvados made from? - ANSWER Apples and pears What is grappa made from? - ANSWER Grape pomace What is grappa typically matured in? - ANSWER Inert vessels What are the most important grains for whisky production? - ANSWER Barley, corn, wheat, rye

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