How does a whiskey still work?

lones78

At sea level, water boils at 100 degrees Celsius (212 °F) but alcohol boils at 78 degrees Celsius (172 °F). During distillation, the vapour is richer in alcohol than the liquid. When this vapour is condensed, the resulting liquid contains a higher concentration of alcohol. In the pot still, the alcohol and water vapour, combined with vapours of the multitude of aroma components such as esters, alcohols that give the mash or wine its aroma, evaporate and flow from the still through the condensing coil. There they condense to the first distillation liquid, the so-called 'low wines', with a strength of about 25-35% alcohol by volume, which then flows into a second still below. It is then distilled a second time to produce the colourless spirit, collected at about 70% alcohol by volume. Maturation in an oak aging barrel typically causes the brown color to develop over time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot_still Mar 21 10, 5:37 PM