The Production Process Of Gin
1.Pot Distillation/Pot Still
Pot distillation is the most traditional distillation process. Simply put, the raw materials are placed in a heated pot at the bottom, and the steam enters the condenser through a copper cover at the top (also known as the swan neck) and is reduced to liquor. Pot distillation is difficult to distill the liquor to a higher alcohol content at once, so it is usually done twice or more times to purify the liquor, and then dilute it back to the appropriate bottled alcohol content. This distillation method can effectively maintain the odor and taste of the raw materials, and some spirits (such as whiskey, brandy, etc.) also use this process.
2.Column Distillation/Column Still
Column distillation consists of two parts: an Analyzer and a Rectifier. The liquor enters from the top of the distillation tower and is preheated by the distillation tower before further heating and gasification. The steam enters the distillation tower and is distilled layer by layer to obtain purified liquor. The higher the layer by layer, the higher the ABV of the liquor, which can reach up to 95-96% ABV. The liquor with lower ABV and still containing impurities will return to the distillation tower for the next cycle.
Due to the continuous and cyclic purification of liquor through column distillation, column distillation is also known as continuous distillation. Compared to pot distillation, which requires multiple batches of alcohol purification, the popularity of column distillation greatly improves purification efficiency and makes it possible to obtain high-purity alcohol. The base liquor of vodka and gin is usually produced using a column distillation process.
