Lastly, The Distiller is no Loser with regard to the Quality of his Liquor, which is not at all weakened thereby. Thus it is attended with the two capital Advantages, the Profit of the Distiller, and the Perfection of the Liquor. Let us now proceed to the different Manners of Distillation.
CHAP. XI.
Of the particular Advantages attending every kind of Distillation.
In the third Chapter we mentioned the several kinds of Distillation, we shall here enlarge on the particular Advantages of each, and in what Circumstances each is to be used.
In order for Distillation, the Alembic must be charged with Materials, and placed on a Fire, or Substances capable of producing the same Effect.
The Method of Distilling with the common refrigerant Alembic.
This Method of Distilling is the most generally used, being one of the most speedy and profitable, as it requires fewer Preparatives, and less Time.
To distil with the common Alembic, the Body of it must be thoroughly cleansed, that no Taste or Smell of any preceding Materials may remain. The Materials are then to be put into the Alembic; but care must be taken that the Alembic be not above half full, in order that the Materials may have sufficient Room to move, without choaking the Neck of the Alembic. The same Care must be taken with regard to the Head, it must be thoroughly cleansed and dried; for it often happens that some small Quantity of Water is left in the Rim, which renders the first Spirits foul, and, by endeavouring to separate it from the other, some, and that the most volatile Part of the Spirit, will be lost.
After this the two Parts of the Alembic are to be carefully luted with strong brown Paper, well pasted on, and the Nose of the Alembic luted to the Worm; after which the Fire should be immediately made under the Still, lest too long an Infusion should prejudice the Liquor.
This Alembic being worked on an open Fire, the Operation is quicker than any other; but the Degree of Fire requires a very close Attention; as a different Management is necessary to different Materials. The Water of the Refrigeratory must be changed from time to time, and if the Case requires it, the whole Head, but especially the Bec, must be kept cold.