Last updated August 2026

Written by Jesse & Cassie, Wine Scribes — Jesse holds a degree in Viticulture & Enology from UC Davis and has made wine in Burgundy, Yarra Valley, California, Washington and the Douro Valley; Cassie holds WSET Level 2 with Distinction and assists Jesse with work in the vineyard and cellar.

Spirits carry more weight on the Advanced exam than most candidates expect, and the questions are unusually rule-driven. Production regulations change more often than appellation law does — Cognac and Armagnac both raised their XO minimum to ten years in 2018, and Japan only adopted labelling standards for its whisky recently — so studying from an older reference is genuinely risky here.

These fifteen questions cover the Cognac cru hierarchy and XO rules, Scotch regions, the JSLMA Japanese whisky standards, bourbon’s barrel-entry proof, Extra Añejo tequila, Chartreuse, absinthe and thujone limits, the amaro category, Chambéry vermouth, the Negroni, American rye, the Charentais still, Peruvian pisco and mezcal’s agave latitude.

CMS Certified — Old World Regions

Test your Old World wine knowledge for the CMS Certified Sommelier exam. Questions cover Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Germany. Written for self-study purposes only — not affiliated with the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Cognac's six crus, ranked from most prestigious (highest chalk content, best aging potential) to most rustic, are: Grande Champagne, Borderies, Petite Champagne, Bons Bois, Fins Bois, Bois Ordinaires Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Fins Bois, Borderies, Bons Bois, Bois Ordinaires Petite Champagne, Grande Champagne, Fins Bois, Borderies, Bons Bois, Bois Ordinaires Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois, Bois Ordinaires

Cognac's XO minimum age was raised from 6 years to what, effective April 2018? 8 years 15 years 12 years 10 years

Which Scotch whisky region is famous for peaty, medicinal, iodine-tinged single malts (though not all its distilleries produce peated whisky)? Highlands Speyside Islay Campbeltown

Under the JSLMA "Standards for Labeling Japanese Whisky" (effective April 2024), all aging must take place in Japan for a minimum of: 2 years 5 years 1 year 3 years

Bourbon whiskey must be entered into new charred oak barrels at what maximum proof? 125 proof 100 proof 80 proof 160 proof

Tequila's Extra Añejo category, introduced in 2006, requires minimum aging in oak of: 2 years 3 years 6 months 1 year

Chartreuse, made by Carthusian monks since 1737, is produced from how many botanicals? 220 42 87 130

Absinthe's regulation is largely defined by its content of thujone, a compound from wormwood. The EU legal limit for thujone in absinthe is: 100 mg/kg 35 mg/kg 5 mg/kg 10 mg/kg

Which Amaro is traditionally consumed at bar close for its herbal, mint-driven bitterness — famously popular among bartenders and sometimes called "the bartender's handshake"? Averna Fernet-Branca Cynar Amaro Nonino

Vermouth's Chambéry AOC — France's only vermouth appellation — was granted in what year? 1990 1932 1900 1855

The classic 1:1:1 equal-parts cocktail of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth stirred over ice with an orange twist is: Manhattan Boulevardier Negroni Americano

Which spirit is legally required to contain at least 51% rye grain in its mashbill under US TTB regulations? Rye whiskey (American Rye) Tennessee Whiskey Corn whiskey Bourbon

Which type of still is traditionally associated with Cognac production? Column still Continuous still Coffey still Charentais alembic pot still

Peruvian Pisco is legally required to be distilled to bottling proof, with no water added after distillation. It also may not be: Aged in oak Made from more than one grape variety Produced outside the DO region Fortified with wine

Which spirit category is defined by mashing, fermenting, and distilling agave hearts, then aging or bottling — and may be made from any of several agave species, not just Blue Weber? Tequila Sotol Raicilla Mezcal

Want the full 50-question CMS Certified practice exam? Join 8,900+ wine students getting our free study resources and practice exams.

How to study spirits for the Advanced exam

Focus on the numbers that define legal categories. Bourbon’s 125 proof barrel entry, 160 proof distillation ceiling and 80 proof bottling minimum are the sort of thing that either you know exactly or you do not know at all.

Check that your sources are current. The 2018 Cognac and Armagnac XO change and the Japanese whisky labelling standards have both invalidated a lot of older study material, and examiners are aware of which facts have recently moved.

Be precise about what a regulation does and does not say. Bourbon requires new charred oak, but the regulation specifies no species — American white oak is convention, not law. Advanced questions are often built on exactly that kind of distinction.

Mezcal and tequila are worth separating clearly: tequila must be Blue Weber agave, mezcal may use many species. The Certified Spirits, Beer & Sake quiz is the right warm-up if any of this feels unfamiliar.

How much of the Advanced exam covers spirits?

A meaningful share of the theory paper, alongside beer, sake and other beverages. It is a common weak point for candidates who have concentrated on wine.

What changed for Cognac XO in 2018?

The minimum age for XO rose from six years to ten, effective April 2018, and the XXO designation was introduced at fourteen years. Armagnac raised its XO minimum to ten years in the same year.

Are these the same questions as the real CMS exam?

No. They are written independently by Wine Scribes and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Court of Master Sommeliers.

CMS Advanced Sommelier Spirits Quiz — 15 Practice Questions

CMS Certified — Old World Regions

How to study spirits for the Advanced exam