distillery

A distillery is a facility dedicated to producing liquids through distillation. In the context of alcoholic beverages, a distillery converts a fermented mash or wash into a higher-proof spirit by heating the liquid to separate volatile compounds, principally ethanol, from water and other components.

Key equipment in a distillery includes fermenters for producing the wash, a milling or mashing system for preparing raw materials, heating stills (pot stills for batch production and column stills for continuous production), condensers, and aging or storage vessels. The basic steps are mashing, fermenting, distilling, and then aging or blending and bottling. The process can be adjusted to influence flavor, aroma, and texture.

Distilleries vary in scale from small craft operations to large industrial plants. Pot stills yield richer, more traditional flavors and are typical of many whiskey houses, while column stills enable higher throughput and lighter spirits such as vodka and most rums. Common products include whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and brandy. Some distilleries also extract essential oils from plants via steam distillation, which is a related but separate application.

Regulation governs licensing, taxation, labeling, and safety. Distilleries must meet standards for ventilation, fire protection, and product quality. Illicit or unsafe distillation can produce methanol and other hazards. Economically, distilleries contribute to rural development, tourism, and regional identity, and are tied to agricultural supply chains and related industries.