AL
CHEMIST
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Distilling from a sugar wash is typically performed to obtain the highest purity and cleanest tasting
product possible. The raw flavours of a sugar wash are rarely sought after in the final product, this just
provides the fastest and cheapest method of producing ethanol. Because of this, reflux stills are the
normal method of producing these spirits. Using a pot still is definitely still possible it just results in a
reduced yield to that of which is possible in a reflux still.
Obtaining a product that can be used for making liqueurs or other flavoursome spirits can be achieved
using one distillation, although doing a second distillation greatly improves the quality and is worth
the sacrifice in yield. If a very clean tasting vodka is required then a third distillation can be performed.
Before distilling, follow the steps for Preparing a Wash to Distil and Preparing the Alembic Pot Still on
pages 4 and 5.
If all you wish to do is a single distillation, then skip this stripping run step.
STRIPPING RUN
The first distillation is referred to as a stripping run, and is the least involved of the two (or three)
distillations. In this step we will collect all of the output from the still in one container until the output
ethanol is 20% ABV.
You will need:
• A 5 L (1.3 US Gal) glass carboy
• An alcoholmeter that reads from 20% ABV to 100% ABV + thermometer
• Still Spirits Distilling Conditioner
• Ceramic Boil Enhancers
• Cooling water supply and sink.
Once the pot still has been prepared, as per the instructions on page 5, transfer wash and add 3
capfuls of distilling conditioner, then turn the boiler on so it can boil. The liquid inside will begin to
heat up and eventually start to boil. When the temperature on the condenser temperature probe reads
around 40°C (104°F) it is a good idea to turn on the cold water tap.
Adjust the flow through the condenser so that the distillate comes out around 25°C (77°F), this is
usually a rate of above 2.5 L/minute. You can measure water flow by using a measuring vessel (1 L
(1 US qt) jug or kitchen cup measurer) and timing how many ml or US fl oz flow into the measuring
vessel per minute. It is very important to ensure the water flow through the condenser is large enough
to ensure the output distillate is coming out as a liquid and not a vapour. Not only is ethanol vapour
extremely flammable, it will also result in a reduced yield from your run.
For a stripping run collect all of the distillate output in one container until the distillate ABV is 20%
ethanol or the vapour temperature is around 98°C (208°F). The temperature of the distillate has
a large effect on the ethanol reading (from alcoholmeter). Calculators exist online to correct for
temperature effects.
Further output can be collected in a separate container and this can be added to a future stripping run
to maximise the yield from future runs.
Turn off the boiler, disconnect the boiler from the power outlet and wait for the contents inside to
cool down to a safe temperature. Then discard the contents inside the boiler, this leftover liquid is an
excellent fertiliser.
Clean the boiler, dome and condenser thoroughly with warm soapy water and rinse well.
If you plan on doing a third distillation, then dilute the stripping run output to 40% ABV and repeat
the stripping run.
SPIRIT RUN
The spirit run is the more important of these two runs, and real care needs to be paid to separate the
different fractions present in the stripping run output. If you haven’t already, it is strongly advised to
read What are Cuts and Why Make Them? If using the Grainfather, read For Use with the Grainfather
Connect All in One Brewing System on page 3 before continuing.
You will need:
• A 5 L (1.3 US Gal) Glass Carbuoy
• An alcoholmeter that reads from 20% ABV to 100% ABV, a 50 ml (1.7 US fl oz) sample collection tube +
thermometer
• Cooling water supply and sink
The output from multiple stripping runs can be combined into one spirit run to save time if you are
planning on producing a lot of spirit. This makes the transitions between heads and hearts more
clear and is ideal if you want to make a larger amount of the same spirit.
Measure your stripping run ethanol content, and if necessary dilute the spirit. Dilute the spirit down
to 40% ABV by adding water. Diluting the spirit down to 40% ABV is important for the spirit run to be
effective and gives a fuller boil. Once diluted add the ceramic boil enhancers. It is not necessary to
add distilling conditioner.
Prepare the pot still system identical to how you set it up for the stripping run, and then turn on the
boiler.
FORESHOTS
Once the temperature probe reaches 40°C (104°F) turn on the cold tap water. When the distillation
begins to come out, you can collect the foreshots which is the more harmful components of the heads
and is typically the first 200 ml (6.8 US fl oz). This section contains the most harmful compounds
present in the wash and should be discarded. NOTE: the foreshots section is 200 ml (6.8 US fl oz) per
stripping run distillate.
HEARTS
The next section of distillate is the hearts of the spirit. Place a larger vessel under the output tube and
start collecting all of the hearts in the one vessel. Continue collecting the hearts until the spirit comes
out at 40% ABV and the temperature probe reads 92°C (198°F).
TAILS
Anything after this can be regarded as tails, and can be discarded or collected with a 1-2 L (1-2 US qt)
container and added to a future stripping run to increase the yield. The tails can be collected down to
20% ABV.
Turn off the boiler and disconnect it from the power outlet. Wait for the boiler contents to cool
to a safe temperature before discarding the contents. Clean the boiler, dome top and condenser
thoroughly and rinse well.
DISTILLING NEUTRAL SPIRIT FROM
A SUGAR WASH
