Unit 5 - Lesson 2 - Batch Pot Distillation Flashcards
What are pot still spirits typically?
Brandy Tequila Vodka Rum Gin
What is the basic aim of pot distillation?
Raise the wash temp via thermal energy
Recover volatile components
Leaving less volatile components and residual in the pot.
What are the 3 goals of a spirits producers?
- Recover max alcohol from wash (efficient/Economic)
- Collect positive congers
- Raise ABV to 60% or more
Basic pot still setup
- Thermal power
- Pot
- Vapor Pipe
- Condensing System
One challenge for pot still vapor collection?
All vapor is recovered as one distillate - system cannot separate as a column can
What is typically left in a single pot distillation?
Ethyl and Ethanol with both high and low volatile compounds (not desirable)
Does not have the power or rectification so requires a redistill
What are the two major condensing systems
Worm / Worm Tube
Shell and Tube Condenser
What is a worm tube?
A copper coil of diminishing diameter in a water tub
Cools and condenses the spirit and drops into a recovery system eg spirit safe
VERY TRADITIONAL
What is the pros / cons copper coils in a Worm Tube?
Pro - Produces richer and heavier spirit than shell/tube condenser
Con
1. High temp swings = strain on tubes
2. Leaks hard to detect
3. Expensive to repair
4. Unique design and specific manufacturing to site
5. Monitoring liquid into tubs
What is a shell and tube condenser?
Vertical condenser made of copper
Bundled tubes
Hot vapor over Baffle Plates on outside of tubes
Advantage of Shell and Tube Condenser?
- cheaper maintenance
- Less water
- Efficient
- Preferred method now
When is heat recover important?
Distillations where the fermented liquor leaving fermentation is at around 34°C
What is the 1st still wash called?
Beer Still or Wash
How does two stage pot distillation work?
2 stills. 1st distilling pot is usually bigger.
2nd pot takes the Low Wine which has less volume
What is the 2nd spirits still called?
Low Wine Still