Charentes Alembic 50 L – Complete

The Charentes alembic is the traditional still for turning wine and fermented musts into brandy, cognac-style spirits, pisco or singani. It is built like a classic soldered copper still, with one important addition: a wine preheater, a second tank with an internal coil.

How the preheater works

While you distil, the hot vapour runs through the coil in the preheater and warms the next batch of wine or mash. When that batch is moved into the boiler it is already hot, so each run is shorter and uses noticeably less fuel.

Capacity and yield

• Boiler: 50 L · preheater tank: 35 L
• Yield: about 10–15% of boiler capacity, roughly 9–13 L of distillate per run from a 10% ABV ferment

Construction

• 100% copper, 1.5 mm thick, hand-hammered finish
• Welded joints, no lead or other harmful substances
• Polished brass handles and nuts

Included

• 2 large 0–120 °C thermometers: on the helmet and the preheater
• 0–100% alcoholmeter with test tube
• 30 cm gas burner sized for this model
• 1″ discharge valve (stainless steel or brass)
• Iron stands for the preheater and condenser

At 50 litres this still suits a small producer or a serious hobbyist working with wine and fruit mash.