THE DISTILLERY.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2522, 17 March 1871, Page 3

THE DISTILLERY.

Amongst the improvements lately introduced into the distillery of Mcs-rs Howdcu and Co., is a beautiful arrangement for the more perfect distillation of spirits of wine. An apparatus for this purpose was introduced in the first instuice, but it was found not to sec re the necessary strength and purity, and accordingly, under the direction of Mr Macgregor, the superintendent, Messrs A. and T. Burt have constructed what may really be termed a series of stills, by means of which the greatest vocalisation possible of the spirit freed from essential oil is secured. Few of our readers, when sipping their glorious whisky toddy, care to enquire on what its palateableness depends. Ihey accept the aroma, and pay for their nobblers without troubling their heals as to the cunning by which the b rley is compelled to yield its subtle spirit. On a former occasion we described the various arrangements f'*r malting, mashing, distilling, and condensing; so our readers must accept that as told, and our starting point for distilling spirits of wine is very near where the whiskey making ends. The rich flavor of our poteen lias to he got rid of, the fine straw color left behind, and a pure etherial, colorless alcohol produced, so transparent as not to tinge a ray of light passing through it. This is not to be done at one process. To a looker on, all that is presented to the eye is two onion shaped bulos of copper placed one above the other, the stalk of the lower one being inserted iu the lower part of the upper, after being bent in a graceful curve. In the same way the stalk of the upper bn b or case, is, a'ter being carried into a copper pan and a tube from it into a shallow cylinder of copper about three feet in diameter, connected with another of the same dimensions, both placed horizontally. Between them and joining them is a smaller cylinder of about equal depth. This is technically called a diaphracm. Connected with the upper cylinder is a good sized copper pan and beyond these is the conductor to the condenser. The end and purpose of these arrangements is to enclose the worms or coils of pipes which form the still, and by the introduction of steam to raise the temperature of the spirit until it volatilises and passes through the different purifying proctsscs. In the first still the raw spirit is placed; when it leaves the diaphragm it has lost its essential oil or flavoring ingredient Above the diaphragm is a filter of animal charcoal, which has a strong affinity for vegetable coloring matter. Here the spirit is deprived of its straw color. Having lost its groasness and color, the concentrated spirit finally rises and passes tin Augh the worm into the condenser, where it is collected. The whole S recess reflects great credit on the skill of Ir Macgregor, on the enterprise of the proprietors, and the workmanship of Messrs Burt. We have no h' sitation in saying the work, as a whole, equals anything we have seen iu London.