How does a pot still work?

A pot still at its simplest consists of a large kettle or pot which is heated from the bottom, boiling off the alcohol and allowing the vapors to be sent to a condenser and separated. With column distillation, the mash enters near the top of the still and begins flowing downward.

What is pot still in alcohol?

A pot still is also called alembic still. It is typically made from copper. Copper was used traditionally because it is a good conductor of heat and it extracts sulphur from the distillate. The classic pot still has different components; the bottom part is called kettle where the ferment is heated.

What is the difference between a pot still and a reflux still?

A POT still simply collects and condenses the alcohol vapours that come off the boiling mash. A REFLUX still does these multiple distillations in one single go, by having some packing in a column between the condensor & the pot, and allowing some of the vapour to condense and trickle back down through the packing.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of pot still?

Advantages and Disadvantages Column stills also provide a purer, cleaner distillate than pots, though pot stills produce a more flavorsome spirit, richer in congeners. Spirits distilled in pots top out between 60 and 80 percent ABV (after multiple distillations), while columns can reach an ABV of up to 96 percent.

Who invented the pot still?

alchemist Abu Musa Jabir ibn Hayyan
But it wasn’t until the 8th century A.D. that Arabic alchemist Abu Musa Jabir ibn Hayyan designed the alembic pot still, a contraption that allowed for the effective distillation of alcohol.

What can you make with a pot still?

Pot stills are used to make many of the world’s great spirit styles, such as single malt scotch, cognac, many rums, and most mezcal. Conversely, large industrial column stills make the bulk of the alcohol produced on Earth. But the rudimentarily reliable pot still remains king in some important circles.

What is pot still bourbon?

Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon is brand of a bourbon whiskey produced in Bardstown, Kentucky by the Willett Distillery. It is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey brand introduced in 2008 and bottled at 47\% abv, with 8–10 year aging. It is sold in glass 750 ml and 1.75 liter bottles.

What type of still is best for whiskey?

Copper is definitely the better choice for products like Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, Irish Whiskey, Scotch, and traditional Rum, because of the sulfur reduction, as mentioned above. These spirits are also most commonly distilled in pot stills (no reflux), which allows for lots of flavor to come through from the wash.

Does Scotch use pot stills?

Copper pot stills may epitomize the Scotch whisky industry, but their job goes beyond being just a giant kettle designed to concentrate the alcohol. Stills are thoughtfully designed with flavor in mind and those elegant copper swan necks make a fundamental contribution to the final spirit character.

Can you buy a still in Canada?

You cannot own a Still in Canada without a licence : The Excise Act of Canada Section Chapter E14 Section 130(1) and (2) provide for the issuance of a license, with a required bond, to distill spirits.

How many times Irish whiskey is pot distilled?

Triple-distilled whisky must be distilled three times, usually in copper pot stills. It’s a more expensive process than double-distillation or continuous distillation. The same regulations on whisky-making apply, although they vary from country to country. Scotch, Irish whiskey, and bourbon can all be triple-distilled.