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: 30 L · preheater tank: 20 L
Yield: about 10–15% of boiler capacity, roughly 5–8 L of distillate per run from a 10% ABV ferment

Construction

100% copper, 1.2 mm thick, hand-hammered finish
Welded joints, no lead or other harmful substances
Polished brass handles and nuts

Included

3 large 0–120 °C thermometers: on the helmet, the preheater and the condenser
0–100% alcoholmeter with test tube

At 30 litres this still suits a hobby distiller or a small farm making its own fruit and grape brandy. The heat source is not included; the Complete version adds a burner, discharge valve and stands.