Unravelling the art of feints recycling for whisky: a production survey
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58430/jib.v132i2.99Keywords:
whisky, feints, tails, heads, hearts, batch distillation, pot still, distillation techniqueAbstract
Why the work was done: Batch distillation is used globally to produce a number of different categories of spirit using a variety of methodologies. This work aims to gain a better understanding of the current institutional knowledge on batch distillation techniques for the various categories of whisky, including the recycling and processing of 'final runnings' or the 'tails' fraction.
How the work was done: A survey was designed to gain insight into current distilling knowledge and practice. Sixty distillers from eight countries respnded to the survey and reported their distillation practices with particular emphasis on how decisions are made regarding where the individual liquid fractions begin and end during distillation and how the feints ('heads' + tails') are subsequently handled.
What are the main findings: Of the 60 distillers surveyed, 59 responded that they recycled feints in some way and 93.2% of those respondents noted that the feints did appear to stabilise after a few distillation cycles. The majority (75%) noted that there is a cost benefit to recycling feints and 61.7% also felt that feints recycling improved the character of the overall spirit.
Why is the work important: Despite the prevalence of recycling feints, little is understood about how this process affects spirit character or why the phenomenon of stabilisation occurs. This and further research, will provide distillers with better insight into their practices and offer tools for continued improvement in spirit quality.
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