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GUIDE HOW TO SPIRITS

Dilution & Filtering: Mastering the Art of Spirit Refinement

Ever wondered how your favourite spirits achieve that perfect balance of flavour and strength? The secret lies in two crucial processes: dilution and filtering. Let's dive into the world of spirit refinement and uncover the mysteries behind these essential techniques.

 

Timing: When do we dilute and filter

In the distillation process, dilution occurs at a couple of points. The first is usually between the stripping run and the spirit run. It is unsafe to distill  spirits of over 40% alcohol. Therefore, we dilute the stripping run to less than 40% in preparation for the next run. However, when most people are talking about the dilution step they are talking about the final dilution of the spirit to the beverage strength. 

The dilution of flavoured neutral spirits is done just before adding the favour. In most other spirits, this is done before ageing or filling.

Filtering neutral spirits is done just after dilution, and for barrel-aged spirits, filtration tends to be done before bottling to catch any debris from the barrel ageing process.

 

The Science of Dilution: Finding the Sweet Spot

Dilution isn't just about watering down your spirit; it's an art form that can make or break your final product. 

 

Dilution for Carbon Filtration - When it comes to carbon filtration, we're aiming for the somewhere in the zone of 40-50% ABV. Why? Because at this strength, those pesky unwanted compounds are more likely to waltz right out of your spirit and into the waiting arms of the activated carbon.

 

Ageing with Precision - Ageing spirits is like slow-cooking a stew - you want just the right heat to bring out all the flavours. Most distilleries find their sweet spot between 45-65% ABV. It's all about balancing the extraction of those delicious vanilla and caramel notes without overdoing the tannins.

 

The Final Touch: Bottling Strength - Different spirits have their own personality, reflected in their ABV. From the mild-mannered liqueurs (15-35% ABV) to the bold spirits like gin and whiskey (35-45% ABV), and the powerhouse cask strength varieties (45%+ ABV), each has its own character.

 

The Magic Formula for Dilution

Ready for some spirit maths? Here's the formula that'll help you hit your target ABV:

Total volume of diluted alcohol = (Starting alcohol % / Desired alcohol %) x Volume of starting alcohol

For example, to transform 6L of 90% ABV firewater into a more palatable 40% ABV: (90 / 40) x 6 = 13.5L

You'll need to add 7.5L of water to your 6L of strong stuff. Voilà! 13.5L of perfectly balanced 40% ABV spirit.

 

Filtering: The Final Polish

Think of filtering as giving your spirit a spa treatment. It's all about removing those last few impurities and ensuring your drink is as smooth as silk.

The Power of Activated Carbon Activated carbon is like a molecular sieve for your spirit. Its porous structure traps impurities, leaving you with a cleaner, purer product. Whether you're using a carbon block filter or loose granules, this step can take your spirit from good to great.

Whiskey and Rum: A Light Touch For aged spirits like whiskey and rum, a gentle filtering can enhance their natural charm without stripping away the character they've developed during ageing. It's like giving them a light makeover - enhancing their best features without changing who they are.

 

In Conclusion

Dilution and filtering are the unsung heroes of spirit production. They're the final touches that transform raw alcohol into the smooth, flavourful drinks we know and love. So next time you sip on your favourite tipple, raise a glass to the science and art behind its creation.

 

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