Distillation
Definition - What does Distillation mean?
In the context of alcohol production, distillation is the process of using heat to separate a liquid that contains alcohol. As the liquid is heated, the alcohol vapors are captured and cooled. Distillation can concentrate the alcohol as well as the flavors of a fermented beverage like wine and can be added to beverages as a preservative.
WineFrog explains Distillation
Distillation has been used since the 1st century AD to concentrate different compounds in liquids to make alcoholic beverages. Heat is typically used to separate the liquid or mash and to create a beverage with a higher alcohol content.
Depending on the type of beverage, different levels of heat will be applied until the liquid vaporizes, the vapors are collected and cooled. The vapors are then allowed to condense into a high alcohol spirit with little color, aroma, or flavor, which can then be blended with flavored liquids and aged.
