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, beer, and sake are a small but non-negotiable part of the CMS Certified Sommelier exam — and they’re often the section candidates study least, because most Certified-level prep understandably focuses on wine. That’s a mistake: these questions are specific and testable in a way wine sometimes isn’t, because spirits categories are defined by hard legal minimums (aging requirements, mash bills, distillation proof) that either you know or you don’t.

This 15-question quiz covers the categories that come up most often: Cognac aging tiers, Scotch and Bourbon legal requirements, Tequila and Mezcal classifications, gin styles, sake grades (Junmai, Ginjo, Daiginjo), and the classic cocktails a working sommelier is expected to recognize by build and glassware.

CMS Certified — Spirits, Beer & Sake

Practice questions on spirits, beer styles, and sake for the CMS Certified Sommelier exam. For self-study purposes only.

Cognac's XO (Extra Old) age classification requires a minimum age of how many years, following a rule change effective April 2018? 8 years 10 years 12 years 6 years

Which Cognac cru is considered the finest and produces spirits with the greatest aging potential? Grande Champagne Borderies Fins Bois Bois Ordinaires

Scotch Whisky must be aged in oak in Scotland for a minimum of how long before it can legally be called "Scotch"? 1 year 3 years 2 years 5 years

Bourbon whiskey must be produced from a mashbill containing at least what percentage of corn? 45% 33% 75% 51%

Tennessee Whiskey follows all Bourbon requirements plus one additional step. What is it? Aging in used sherry casks The Lincoln County Process — charcoal filtering before aging Peat smoking of the barley Triple distillation

The Extra Añejo category for Tequila requires a minimum aging of how long in oak? 3 years 1 year 6 months 2 years

Mezcal is legally produced across more than a dozen Mexican states. Which of these is the primary and most famous? Michoacán Oaxaca Jalisco Guanajuato

London Dry Gin regulations prohibit which of the following? Bottling at less than 40% ABV Aging in oak Addition of any flavoring after distillation Use of juniper

Peruvian Pisco is legally distilled to bottling proof — meaning no water may be added after distillation. It also may not be aged in oak. How many authorized grape varieties are permitted? 12 4 8 6

Ale and Lager are distinguished primarily by which factor? Hopping level Alcohol content Whether they use malted or unmalted grain Type of yeast used and fermentation temperature

Sake is categorized as "Junmai" when it meets which requirement? No distilled alcohol added Rice polished to 50% or less Produced only in Kyoto Prefecture Aged for at least 1 year

A sake labeled "Daiginjo" must have a rice polishing ratio (seimaibuai) of what maximum percentage of the original grain? 30% 60% 50% 70%

Which classic cocktail is defined by the IBA as equal parts of three spirits, stirred and served over ice with an orange twist? Old Fashioned Martini Manhattan Negroni

Which classic cocktail contains tequila, orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec), and lime juice? Tommy's Margarita Daiquiri Margarita Paloma

Chartreuse, the famous French herbal liqueur produced by Carthusian monks since 1737, comes in two main colors. What are the ABV differences? Green is 55% ABV, Yellow is 43% ABV Green is 43% ABV, Yellow is 55% ABV Both 50% ABV Both 40% ABV

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Study Tips for CMS Certified — Spirits, Beer & Sake

Memorize the legal minimums as pairs — they’re the most testable facts in this category. Bourbon requires a mash bill of at least 51% corn; Scotch must age a minimum of three years in oak in Scotland; Cognac’s XO tier requires a minimum of 10 years’ aging following the 2018 rule change. Tennessee Whiskey follows every Bourbon rule plus the Lincoln County Process, a charcoal-filtering step before barreling.

For sake, know the polishing ratios: Ginjo requires rice milled down to 60% or less of its original size, Daiginjo to 50% or less, and Junmai has no polishing requirement but must contain no added distilled alcohol. For beer, the ale-vs-lager distinction comes down to yeast strain and fermentation temperature, not color or strength — a common trap on exam questions.

For cocktails, know the classic builds by ratio and glassware: a Negroni is equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, stirred and served over ice with an orange twist; a Margarita is tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice, shaken. Being able to name the spirit base and proportions cold is worth more than memorizing garnish trivia.

Continue practicing with our other CMS Certified topic quizzes: Old World Regions, New World Regions, Wine Service, and Food & Wine Pairing. Or test everything at once with the full-length Practice Exam #1 and Practice Exam #2. Back to the CMS Certified Sommelier hub.

What spirits categories are covered on the CMS Certified Sommelier exam?

Primarily Cognac, Scotch and American whiskeys, Tequila and Mezcal, gin, plus an overview of beer styles and sake grades. You’re not expected to be a full spirits sommelier, but the legal category minimums are fair game.

Do I need to memorize sake polishing ratios?

Yes — know that Ginjo requires rice polished to 60% or less of its original size, and Daiginjo requires 50% or less. Junmai has no polishing requirement but must contain no added distilled alcohol.

What’s the difference between Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey?

Tennessee Whiskey must meet every Bourbon requirement (51%+ corn mash bill, aged in new charred oak, distilled under 160 proof) plus one additional step: the Lincoln County Process, which filters the spirit through sugar maple charcoal before barreling.

CMS Certified: Spirits, Beer & Sake Practice Quiz

CMS Certified — Spirits, Beer & Sake

Study Tips for CMS Certified — Spirits, Beer & Sake