Single Malt Whisky Production – Part 2

In the realm of single malt whisky production, careful and meticulous work in the malt preparation and the distillation processes are of the utmost importance.  However, with the distillation process, the whisky hobbyist has the opportunity to finally watch his/her brand new copper pot still in action.  Indeed, after going out and buying that designer moonshine still for sale which you had been coveting, there isn’t any greater satisfaction than finally watching it in action.  Observing the device’s work as it slowly ferments your whisky is a sight that will bring any whisky enthusiast a unique kind of joy; you’re witnessing the creation of your favorite beverage – what’s not to be excited about?

If you go looking to buy moonshine stills for sale at various websites or hobby stores, you should always remember that the distillation process of the wash has an important purpose: increasing the alcohol percentage of the distilled beverage (measured in volume), which is also known as the ABV.  Keep in mind that the achievement of a high alcohol percentage in any drink isn’t something that just occurs on its own in nature.  While fermented drinks have been around for a long time, like beer with the ancient Egyptians and wine with the ancient Romans, they only came into being through natural fermentation processes.  Because of the enormous difficulty in reaching an alcohol percentage of over 15% by natural fermentation, another method had to be developed for this purpose.   That is how the process of distillation came into being – and it is the reason why whisky was ever conceived; indeed, that is why you had the chance to go out and buy moonshine stills for sale in the first place.

When discussing Scotch malt whisky, it is important to buy moonshine stills for sale which are classified as pot stills; these stills must be utilized in the distillation process.  However, what is often forgotten is that there are two different types of pot stills used at two particular stages of this process (multiple distillations are usually preferred for the creation of whisky).  The first distillation is carried out in a wash still, which is usually a bit larger than the spirit still used in the second distillation run (remember this difference when you decide to buy moonshine stills for sale). Additionally, the designer moonshine still for sale which you select should be constructed out of copper, as this material has good malleability and heat conduction properties, as well as having exceptional catalytic properties and the ability to neutralize sulphur and other less appealing compounds. Without a doubt, one of the most common and regrettable complaints among whisky enthusiasts has been their decision to buy moonshine stills for sale which were not constructed out of copper.

Whiskey Still

 While the two stills in the distillation process are very similar (regardless of the designer moonshine still for sale which you selected), they produce two very unique products which comprise the distillation process as a whole.  The initial distillation run in the wash still produces a spirit called the low wine, which contains an alcohol percentage in the range of 20%. However, even after this first distillation, the low wine will still contain a great deal of impurities and have unfavorable characteristics (taste, smell, etc.).  Because of this concoction’s poor state after the first distillation run, a second distillation must occur in a slightly smaller still known as the spirit still. While most Scotch malt whisky is distilled twice, it should be noted that some distilleries also incorporate a third distillation run in order to further refine their whiskies. This is an option which is certainly available to the whisky hobbyist who decided to go out and buy their own designer moonshine still for sale.  Indeed, even a fourth distillation is possible.

Whenever the distillation of malt whisky in pot stills is used, the whisky enthusiast should remember that this is a batch process, meaning that in each particular distillation run the distillate is divided into three specific cuts.  They are the head, the heart of the run, and the tail.   The head is the first distilled liquid that rolls down the swan neck of the still, the heart of the run is the liquid which will eventually comprise the spirit we will enjoy, and the tail is the last portion of the liquid which contains a significantly low alcohol percentage.  The head and tail, therefore, are not to be consumed and should instead be incorporated into the next batch of low wines being distilled.  The heart of the run, however, is usually a clear liquid comprising approximately 70% alcohol and notably lacking the undesirable qualities of the first distillation run. 

Most distilleries will then place this liquid into barrels (also known as casks), which are then stored in special facilities to allow for the aging process to work its magic upon the sprit inside.  After a set number of years have passed, distillers will then open the casks and bottle the liquid for the enjoyment of the consumer.  However, even if you don’t utilize the aging process for your spirit, you can still enjoy the clear, robust liquid which you have created in the designer moonshine still for sale which you acquired for this specific purpose.  This concoction is safe and, if produced the right way and using good tools (depending, of course, on if you decided to buy moonshine stills for sale made of high quality copper), should be very pleasing to the palate.