Pot Still Vs Column Still
Pot Stills and column stills are two types of distillation systems. The former is used for a variety of purposes. Both produce spirits that lack flavour and texture, but they have different properties. A pot still is often used for white spirits, most rum, and American whiskey. A column is used for spirits with high proofs or high purity.
A Pot Stills works by heating alcohol and forcing it to vaporize. This vapor then travels up a long neck before condensing back into liquid. The liquid is then collected in another chamber. Historically, pots were heated by lighting a fire underneath them, but the use of superheated steam makes the process more precise, and distillers can guide the product more efficiently.
Both are useful for making bourbon. A pot still can produce a much more concentrated spirit than a column still. Moreover, it can also yield better flavors. Pot stills can be used to make more expensive bourbons. For example, the famous Pappy Van Winkle whiskey can be purchased for hundreds of dollars. The distiller Marci Palatella, who worked with a firm that specialized in international beverage sales, helped Pappy flourish overseas during the 1980s. She helped Pappy export to Japan, where the bourbon industry was waning. She also now uses a pot still to produce her pot-distillation bourbon.
Wines and Spirits Academy – Pot Still Vs Column Still
A pot still has a lower boiling point than a column still. However, it has a higher purity level than a column still. It can also be used to produce more high quality single-batch spirits. In addition, it is possible to make smaller batches with pot stills. However, they require more time to distill the alcohol. A pot still requires less space than a column still, and the resultant spirits have a higher purity level. They are usually clear and pleasantly aromatic.
The main difference between a pot still and a column still is the material used in its construction. A pot still is made of copper, while a column still is composed of stainless steel. The copper component is used to remove sulfur from the spirit. Generally, both types of distillation are used to produce high alcohol content spirits.
A column still is more complex than a pot still. It requires two tall columns. The first collects alcohol vapours that rise from a boiling mash. The second condenses the steam back into a liquid. The result is a high ABV spirit, which is usually higher in purity than water.
Pot stills are typically used for smaller amounts, while column stills are best for larger distillation operations. Column stills are more efficient, allowing the distillate to be purer. Pot stills require more maintenance and cleanup after limited production, while column stills allow continuous distillation.