Malt whisky is generally distilled twice, in two
pot stills - first the wash still, then the spirit still - which
vaguely resemble huge copper kettles. There are two pairs of copper
stills in the still room at the Aberlour Distillery, the wash
stills being slightly larger than the spirit stills since they
have to hold a greater volume of liquid.
Although broadly similar - a bulbous base with a
short or long neck, leading at right angles to a narrower pipe
or "lyne arm" - the precise size and shape of pot stills
varies from distillery to distillery, with no two exactly the
same. The distinctive shape plays a vital part in defining the
character of the emerging whisky and distillers are very reluctant
to change them. The tall but wide necks of the Aberlour stills
are perfect for producing a balanced, medium-bodied spirit.
Copper-bottomed
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