What Type of still Is Used for Vodka?

Vodka is described as one of the world’s favourite alcohols because of its versatility in cocktails and general smoothness and taste. But what type of still makes vodka? Vodka's unique taste and quality are greatly determined by its various stages of production and the distillation process in the case of vodka, is one of, if not the most, important. In this text, we shall look at the various stills used in the making of vodka, what is the best still for making vodka, and what is the effect of each of the distilling methods on the vodka itself.

Distilling Vodka

Vodka is made through a process of distillation that consists of boiling fermented grain, potatoes or fruit to remove or purify the alcohol from the water. This is a key step in developing and producing the clear and high-alcohol content beverage known as vodka. Heat, and the specialized equipment known as a vodka still, facilitates this separation.

The final product, vodka, can vary regarding its taste, purity, and quality depending on the still used. Whichever your case might be, making vodka at home or trying to understand how huge vodka producing plants work, the type of still you will use will determine the outcome.

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The Types of Stills Used for Vodka

1.Copper Pot Vodka Still

The copper pot vodka still can be referred to by many as the basic type of whiskey still. A copper pot vodka still works by basically boiling off the alcohol from a fermente base liquid (mash) in a huge pot like container. So the plan is that once the liquid boil to a certain point the vaporized alcohol will be channeled through a tube where the vapour cools into liquid.

Copper in this case as well is a good material for the construction of the stills since a considerable amount of sulfur compounds responsible for adverse taste of the spirit are scrubbed. That is perhaps the reason for the popularity copper pot stills in craft and artisanal vodka distilleries. The Plus point about using a copper pot still is that the distillation process requires a lot of ‘hands’, meaning the distiller is actively involved in the process meaning pretty much the distillates can be vodkas with a very distinctive flavor.

On the contrary, copper pot stills have a pretty low efficiency compared to other types of stills. Numerous distillation runs are usually needed in this process in order to reach the expected standard high purity vodka. Hence, this type of still is usually used in small distilleries many of which appear to have low outputs but place immense value upon the taste of the vodka.

2.Column Still (Continuous Still)

Traditionally, vodka was made using a copper pot still but nowadays, many vodka distillers have switched to a column still or a continuous still. A column still is a tall vertical cylinder that contains several trays with holes in them. Alcohol vapors are injected between these plates, making it possible to perform several distillations at once. It is capable of producing a purified alcohol that is high in strength and meets the requirements for the production of vodka.

Column stills are more advanced than pot stills and more volume of vodka can be produced by them. They are mostly employed in the industrial mass production of commercially available vodka, where the standard of all triple distilled brands is high purity and a neutral taste. Like all other vodkas, mass markets require clean alcohol and a neutral flavor, and column stills are efficient in separating these types.

3. Hybrid Stills

In the quest for greater quality, some distilleries have merged a pot still with a column still and dubbed it a hybrid still. The process of beginning distillation in a pot still and completing it in a column still is possible. With this combination, distillers are able to produce vodka styled in complexity as a pot still, with column still achieving the desired high purity levels.

Hybrid stills, therefore, suit any distillery looking to create high quality vodka styled as a craft vodka with a balanced flavor, while still benefiting from a continuous still modernity and efficiency. Small undefined distillers who wish to be different in the competitive vodka market also love hybrid stills because of the flexibility they offer in small distillations batches that are common in the vodkas market competition.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Vodka Still

When looking for the best still to produce vodka, there are numerous other factors to consider. One of them is the still, and this will dictate the final taste, purity of the spirit, as well as the cost of production.

1.Flavor versus Purity

People looking for a more flavorful vodka should try a drinking copper pot still. Most craft distilleries favor copper since its ability to strip sulfur compounds allows for a more pure and smooth vodka. But let’s say your needs are top notch purity – not less—like in the case of a triple distilled vodka, then a column still is your most ideal choice. Also, column stills are used for vodka that is of the cleanest possible taste that people use for cocktails.

2.Scale of Production

The scale of production will also affect your choice. In larger distilleries which have high demand for quantity, a column still is best because it satisfactorily meets the needs of the distillery by producing large amounts of vodka in a short period of time. But there are small batch distillers or home distillers who are more interested in controlling the process who may go for a copper pot still or hybrid still.

3.Cost and Maintenance

On the other hand, not every happy factor can be harvested from content copper pot stills, as they are higher in terms of initial investment and also need regular maintenance. In comparison, column stills are much cheaper on initial cost as well as day to day operational costs. Still, they might take up much more space and would involve a lot more technical know how.

What Makes the Best Vodka Still?

In the end, the best vodka still is the one that fits the user’s needs and requirements, irrespective of the size of distortion. But there are some factors that must be focused on and understood before settling for the best still for making vodkas.

1.Material Quality: Column stainless steel stills are made from durable materials that are low maintenance although copper pot stills have merit because of their capabilities to filter out impurities during the distillation process.

2.Efficiency: Vodka production will always mandate distillation of high proof packaged alcohol products. And column stills are highly efficient in accomplishing this.

3.Capacity: For mass production purposes, a column still is perfect. But for someone who would like to make small batches of artisanal vodka, then opting for a copper pot still would be ideal.

4.Purity: Column still is best suited for neo vodka which distills alcohol without any additional taste. Copper pot can give a hint of flavoring into the vodka.

Conclusion: Which Still is Right for You?

Depending on efficiencies one seeks; be it flavor, purity, capital investment or productivity, vodka distillers are chosen accordingly. There are advantages on both sides; copper pot acknowledging more flavor, traditional practice but column assuming higher pure flavor for mass production.

For small-pot practitioners or craft volumes, it is the copper pot to go with but for large volumes where 3 times distilled vodka demand is subdued, there’s skew towards column stills. The silver bullet of vodka making entirely depends upon the objectives but analyzing the features of the distillation types and methods might help in making that decision.

It’s easy to find the right still, as there’s a huge variety available and each is meant for specific purposes. For example if you want to make artisanal vodka the options are ton and if you are heavy on volumes & want high proof neutral vodka column still is the option. In the end, prepare to be astonished, as distilled vodka is more precise & cleaner than its competitors.