When it comes to the world of distillation, there are several key pieces of equipment involved in the process. Two of the most important components are the wash still and the spirit still. While they might seem similar at first glance, there are distinct differences between these two stills and the roles they play in the production of spirits.
Size and Appearance
One of the most noticeable differences between a wash still and a spirit still is their size and appearance. Generally, a spirit still is significantly smaller than a wash still. This size difference is due to the fact that a spirit still has far less water and other unwanted compounds to separate in the low wines. When visiting a distillery, you can often spot the difference in size and sometimes the absence of a glass level in the spirit still compared to the wash still, although there can be exceptions.
Purpose and Function
While both the wash still and the spirit still are used in the production of spirits, they serve different purposes and have distinct functions. The wash still is responsible for the initial distillation of the fermented liquid known as the wash. This liquid, often derived from grains or fruits, contains alcohol, water, and impurities.
The wash still works by heating the liquid, causing the alcohol to vaporize and rise through the neck of the still. It then undergoes condensation and is collected as a liquid in the receiver. This liquid, known as the low wines, has a relatively low alcohol content and still contains impurities that need to be further separated.
On the other hand, the spirit still is used for the second distillation process. Its primary function is to refine the low wines obtained from the wash still. The spirit still is designed to separate alcohol from the impurities, resulting in a purer and higher-strength distillate known as the new make spirit, or sometimes referred to as ‘the spirit’.
The Distillation Process
Let’s dive into the distillation process of both the wash still and the spirit still to better understand their differences. The wash still, as mentioned earlier, begins by heating the wash to produce alcohol vapor. This vapor passes through a lyne arm or swan neck, where it then enters the condenser and cools back into a liquid.
The liquid collected from the wash still, known as the low wines, is then transferred to the spirit still for the second distillation. In this stage, the low wines are heated again, allowing the alcohol to evaporate and travel through the swan neck. However, unlike the wash still, the spirit still usually has a more refined design, with additional features like multiple plates or trays to facilitate further separation of impurities.
As the alcohol vapor rises through the spirit still, it gradually becomes more concentrated and refined. Once it enters the condenser and cools down, the resulting liquid is the new make spirit, which is harvested and then aged, blended, or further processed to create various types of spirits such as whiskey, vodka, rum, or gin.
Conclusion
In summary, the difference between a wash still and a spirit still lies in their size, appearance, purpose, and function. The wash still is larger and responsible for the initial distillation of the wash, while the spirit still is smaller and used for the refinement of the low wines obtained from the wash still. Understanding the role of each still in the distillation process is crucial for producing high-quality spirits with distinct flavors and characteristics.
