Alcohol Distillation in the Context of Art
Distillation of Alcohol is an art that involves an intricate dance of heat, vapor and condensation. A skilled distiller must recognize and capture desired flavors within spirits while eliminating unwanted compounds that do not fit their vision for their final product – this process is used to craft such iconic beverages as Gin, Whiskey Rum & Vodka.
All distilled beverages begin as fermented liquids that have been heated to increase their alcohol content, then boiled again to reduce watery and carb-rich compounds known as congeners – this step makes distilled spirits distinct from wine, beer and other fermented drinks.
Distillation is considered an art form because it involves the transformation of one substance to another with the added advantage of producing something beneficial that can be consumed as a beverage. Many spirits produced through distillation are then blended or aged further to increase flavor intensity.
An essential aspect of alcohol distillation lies in making sure the appropriate cuts are made during each run of the still. The initial container of steam that emerges is known as foreshots; after which comes heart and tail – knowing when and how best to make these cuts requires experience and intuitive judgment.