Distillation

Distillation is the separation process in which a liquid mixture is vaporized and the vapour condensed to isolate components by volatility, used to manufacture spirits from fermented mashes and to purify water, essential oils and solvents. In spirit production it concentrates ethanol and selects flavour congeners through careful cut points, while in refining it strips unwanted volatiles. Temperature, pressure and column design determine separation efficiency and the character of the product. Operators monitor reflux ratios and temperatures continuously to hold the separation where it belongs.