iStill on Cut-Points!

What are Cut Points?

A distillation run yields different alcohols and flavors during the run. We usually distinguish between heads (the first part of the run), hearts (the body), and the tails (the last bit of the run). Hearts collection is the aim, but what amount of heads or tails are included?

Why they matter?

What alcohols and what flavors does the distiller want in his final product is decided by what he cuts in ... and what he cuts out. There you have it: cut points are the decisions the distiller makes on what to include in the final cut. These cut points matter, because they basically result in a specific flavor profile for that drink.

Traditional cut point management

Traditionally, cut points are managed by taste or by alcoholic strength of the spirit that is being produced. The distiller tastes the new make spirit as it comes off the still and decides his cut points based on what he tastes.

This causes huge swings in output, from one run to the next one, as the distiller's palate is not fixed. Depending on the time of day, the food you consumed yesterday, and your general health and physical and mental condition, the same things taste different at different times. And vice versa.

The traditional method for cut point management is flawed and creates non-repeatable outputs. Put differently: product consistency suffers, while the distiller runs the risk of becoming an alcoholic in the process.

How does iStill help?

iStill offers automated cuts management. By temperature, not by taste. Once you dialed in the cuts for a specific spirit, the iStill will save those settings and perform the EXACT same cut point management the next time.

This unique and proprietary technology allows you to make better product in a much more consistent manner. Without putting your health at risk.