CSP Distillery Operations & Craft 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a pot still distillation, what is the primary purpose of the 'lyne arm' (lye pipe)?
- To heat the wash before it enters the still
- To direct vapor from the still neck to the condenser and influence reflux (Correct answer)
- To separate foreshots from feints during the spirit cut
- To recirculate spent lees back into the wash still
Correct answer: To direct vapor from the still neck to the condenser and influence reflux
The lyne arm connects the still neck to the condenser and its angle (ascending or descending) governs how much reflux occurs, shaping the spirit's weight and character.
Question 2: What does a descending (downward-angled) lyne arm typically produce compared to an ascending one?
- A lighter, more delicate spirit with increased reflux
- A heavier, oilier spirit with less reflux (Correct answer)
- A spirit with more ester content due to longer copper contact
- A spirit with higher feints carryover into the middle cut
Correct answer: A heavier, oilier spirit with less reflux
A descending lyne arm reduces reflux, allowing heavier congeners to pass through uncondensed back into the still, yielding a fuller, oilier new make spirit.
Question 3: A distiller makes the 'foreshots' cut when the spirit safe reading indicates what?
- The alcoholic strength drops below 75% ABV
- The spirit runs clear and early undesirable compounds have been removed (Correct answer)
- The specific gravity of the spirit matches that of the low wines
- Copper sulfate precipitate appears in the spirit safe glass
Correct answer: The spirit runs clear and early undesirable compounds have been removed
Foreshots are diverted to the feints receiver until the distiller judges—by clarity, smell, and strength—that clean middle-cut spirit has begun to flow.
Question 4: What term describes the combined foreshots and feints that are redistilled in the next spirit-still charge?
- Pot ale
- Draff
- Low wines and feints (Correct answer)
- Spent lees
Correct answer: Low wines and feints
Low wines from the wash still plus feints (and foreshots) from the previous spirit still run are combined and redistilled together in the spirit still.
Question 5: Which condensing method is associated with producing a heavier, more sulfury character that can be a desired house style trait?
- Shell-and-tube condenser
- Worm tub condenser (Correct answer)
- Plate heat exchanger
- Dephlegmator
Correct answer: Worm tub condenser
Worm tub condensers cool vapor more slowly with less copper contact, retaining more sulfur compounds and producing a heavier, meatier spirit characteristic of distilleries like Mortlach.
Question 6: Copper in pot stills plays a critical chemical role by removing which unwanted compound family from the spirit?
- Aldehydes and ketones
- Sulfur compounds (dimethyl sulfide and hydrogen sulfide) (Correct answer)
- Higher alcohols (fusel oils)
- Organic acids and esters
Correct answer: Sulfur compounds (dimethyl sulfide and hydrogen sulfide)
Copper reacts with sulfurous compounds produced during fermentation, binding them so they don't carry over into the final spirit.
Question 7: At Scotch malt whisky distilleries, the spirit safe is legally sealed by whom, and what is its primary regulatory purpose?
- The distillery manager, to prevent theft by workers
- HMRC (His Majesty's Revenue and Customs), to prevent untaxed spirit from being removed before duty is assessed (Correct answer)
- The Scotch Whisky Association, to ensure minimum ABV standards are met
- The local council, to enforce environmental regulations on effluent
Correct answer: HMRC (His Majesty's Revenue and Customs), to prevent untaxed spirit from being removed before duty is assessed
The spirit safe is locked by HMRC so that distillers can make cuts by observing the spirit without physically touching it, ensuring all spirit is accounted for before excise duty is applied.
CSP Distillery Operations & Craft 2
In a pot still distillation, what is the primary purpose of the 'lyne arm' (lye pipe)?