Distillation and Aging Flashcards
First person in history to use the term “distillation” in context of distilled spirits
Albukassen (10th century Arabian Chemist)
Why are distilled spirits known as “ardent spirits”
Comes from Latin word ARDERE “to burn”. Refers to heat in distillation
Latin word DESTILLAIRE
means to “trickle down” and refers to drops of condensed liquid formed during distillation
Historical uses/ context for alcohol consumption
Stimulant/ digestive properties
Safer than Water
“Social Lubricant”
Type of alcohol produced via FERMENTATION
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol)
Definition of “potable”
Person may consume in moderation without any undesirable effects
Base ingredients used in distillation via Two-Stage Process
Grapes
Other Fruits
Sugar- based materials
(Honey, sugarcane juice, molasses)
Saccharification
Conversion process required to transform starch to fermentable sugars
Dead yeast cells after fermentation is complete
Lees
Flavorful compounds (such as acids, elehydes, and esters) created during fermentation
Congeners
Boiling point of water vs. pure ethyl alcohol
Water: 212 F / 100 C
Alcohol: 173 F / 78 C
Meaning of water and ethyl alcohol are miscible
They dissolve into one another
Highest ABV considered achievable via commercial distilling
96.5 % ABV (higher levels require dehydration procedures/ lab conditions)
First part of distillation run to come off the still
Heads/ Foreshots
Non potable contained within the heads/ foreshots
Low Boilers
Center part of distillation run (potable spirit)
The Hearts
Last part of the distillation run to come off still
The Tails/ Feints
Points of separation between the heads and the heart, and the heart and the tails
Cut Points