Views: 5 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-09-05 Origin: Site
There would be no spirits without distillation, which is the process of separating and concentrating the alcohol in the fermented liquid.
The equipment used in this process is called a still. Over the centuries, stills have evolved from simple fire-heated pots to towering industrial machines.
Today, distilleries mainly use two types of stills: pot stills and column stills. The basic principles of these two stills are the same, but they are applicable in different situations.
Here is everything you want to know about pot stills and column stills.
For easy comparison, we have organized them into a table, sorting out the design, material, operation, alcohol strength, end product and other aspects of the two stills.
| Pot Still | Column stills | |
| Design | A pot still consists of a large pot (usually copper) with a swan neck and a condenser. It operates in batches, where each distillation requires cleaning and reloading after every run. | A column still (or continuous still) is a tall, cylindrical structure with plates or trays inside to separate alcohol vapors at different levels. It operates continuously, meaning the feed of liquid and removal of product can happen simultaneously. |
| Material | Pot stills are almost always made of copper.Copper is essential for removing sulfur, which can give a sour taste to the distillate. | Column stills may be made of copper or stainless steel, or sometimes a combination of the two. Stainless steel column stills often contain copper, as this metal is essential for removing sulfur, which can give the distillate a sour taste. |
| Operation | Heat is applied to the liquid in the pot, and as the alcohol evaporates, it travels up the neck, then condenses back into liquid in the condenser.It typically requires multiple distillations to reach a higher alcohol content (purity). | As steam rises up the column, it interacts with the liquid descending from above, and separation of alcohol from water occurs at various stages. |
| Alcohol Strength | Pot stills typically produce lower-proof alcohol (around 60-80% ABV in multiple distillations). | Column stills can achieve much higher alcohol content, often upwards of 95% ABV in a single pass. |
| End Product | Pot stills generally produce spirits with more flavor and complexity because more congeners (flavor compounds) remain in the final product. Commonly used for making whiskey, rum, and certain types of brandy, where a strong, rich flavor is desired. | Spirits from a column still tend to be purer, lighter, and more neutral in flavor because fewer congeners are carried over. It is often used for vodka, gin, rum, and neutral grain spirits.It can also produce complex and full-bodied spirits, especially rye and bourbon whiskeys. |
The distillation process is a key variable that has a significant impact on the characteristics of the finished product. While both methods are based on the same basic principles of distillation, the technical differences between pot still and column still produce spirits with different qualities.
Understanding how your spirit is distilled can help you choose the most appropriate still.
Pretank offers customizable pot stills, column stills, and hybrid stills. To learn more, please contact our experts.
