Production of the still
The still is made from 99.85% pure copper (British Standard BS2570C106), using around 80% recycled material, including disused stills.
First, the copper sheets are cut into the required shapes and bent into the characteristic curved shapes using machine-driven hammers. Today, the joints are joined using inert gas welding - a more modern method compared to earlier riveted or soldered joints.
Hammering is not only used for shaping, but also for smoothing weld seams and solidifying the surface. Finally, the still is ground, polished and coated with protective varnish to achieve the typical copper-coloured surface.
Worm condenser
In short, worm tubs are a type of condenser. They are a traditional way of turning spirit vapour back into liquid and they work like this: The lyne arm at the top of the still is connected to a long, coiled copper pipe (worm) that sits in a huge vat of cold water (tub), which is usually outside. As the vapour travels down the worm, it condenses back into liquid form.
