Sensory Evaluation of Spirits

Question 1

What taste component is generally sensed across the back of the palate?

Answer 1

Bitterness

Question 2

What taste component does about 50% of the population perceive ethyl alcohol as having?

Answer 2

Sweetness

Question 3

What is Rancio?

Answer 3

A term that describes the oxidized character of certain spirits.

Question 4

What could cause slow running tears in spirits?

Answer 4

Higher viscosity, higher alcohol, or sweetness.

Question 5

What is louching?

Answer 5

What some spirits (eg absinthe, ouzo) experience as clouding when mixed with water.

Question 6

What is turbidity?

Answer 6

A cloudy/hazy appearance of a spirit.

Question 7

What are the categories for maturity in spirits tasting?

Answer 7

Unaged
1-2 Years
3-5 Years
6-10 Years
Mature
Very Old

Question 8

What terms are used to describe the overall quality of spirits?

Answer 8

Faulty
Acceptable
Good
Very Good
Excellent
Exceptional

Question 9

What are the terms used to describe a spirit’s complexity?

Answer 9

Simple/None
Some Complexity
Moderate Complexity
Very Complex

Question 10

What terms are used to describe the aftertaste of spirits?

Answer 10

Warm
Smooth
Pleasant
Harsh
Unpleasant

Question 11

What terms are used to describe the length in tasting spirits?

Answer 11

Short
Medium
Long
Lingering

Question 12

What terms are used to describe flavor intensity in spirits?

Answer 12

Light
Medium
Full

Question 13

What terms are used to describe the alcohol content feel in spirits?

Answer 13

Soft
Smooth
Warm
Pronounced
Hot
Harsh

Question 14

What terms are used to describe bitterness in spirits?

Answer 14

None
Light
Moderate
Sharp
Astringent

Question 15

What terms are used to describe the acidity in spirits?

Answer 15

None
Light
Moderate
Sharp
Sour

Question 16

What are the terms for describing sweetness in spirits?

Answer 16

None
Light
Moderate
Sweet
Very Sweet

Question 17

About what percentage of the population perceives alcohol as sweet?

Answer 17

Up to 50%

Question 18

What is syringol?

Answer 18

A methoxyphenol found in the lignon of wood that smells and tastes like smoke.

Question 19

What are methoxyphenols?

Answer 19

Organic compounds including vanillin and syringol found in the lignon of wood.

Question 20

What is the term used of the sensory evaluation of spirits?

Answer 20

Organoleptic evaluation.

Question 21

What is the meniscus?

Answer 21

The edge of the a spirit in a glass.

Question 22

What terms are used to describe the clarity of a spirit?

Answer 22

Brilliant
Clear
Dull
Hazy
Cloudy

Question 23

What are the terms used to describe the depth of color for spirits?

Answer 23

Water-White
Pale
Medium
Deep
Opaque

Question 24

What are the terms used to describe the legs of a spirit?

Answer 24

Fast
Slight
Medium
Pronounced
Slow

Question 25

What are the terms used to describe the condition of a spirit based on aroma?

Answer 25

Clean Fresh Stale Unclean/Faulty

Question 26

What are the terms used to describe the intensity of an aroma for spirits?

Answer 26

Neutral Light Medium Intense

Question 27

What are the main flavor categories used for describing the aroma of spirits?

Answer 27

Grain Fruity Floral Botanical Sweet Aromatics Spice Oak/Wood Nutty Rancio

Question 28

What are the main terms used to describe floral aromas found in spirits?

Answer 28

Rose Violet Perfume Orange Blossom Dried Flowers

Question 29

What are the main terms used to describe botanical aromas found in spirits?

Answer 29

Herbal Vegetal Juniper Tobacco Peat Seaweed

Question 30

What are the main terms used to describe oak/wood aromas found in spirits?

Answer 30

Oak Cedar Sawdust Coffee Pine Char

Question 31

What are the main terms used to describe rancio aromas found in spirits?

Answer 31

Leather Smoke Earthy Acetaldehyde Ash Tar

Question 32

What are typical flavors imparted by toasted oak?

Answer 32

Some nuttiness, slight sweetness, vanilla, coconut, caramel, toffee.

Question 33

What is the eye of a spirit?

Answer 33

The middle part of the spirit in the glass.

Question 34

What are the categories for describing a spirits' appearance?

Answer 34

Clarity Hue Color (for colored spirits) Depth Legs

Question 35

What are the main categories used to describe the palate of a spirit?

Answer 35

Sweetness Acidity Bitterness Alcohol Body Flavors Flavor Intensity