Did you know: The shape of the still tells you about the flavor of the whisky (this primarily relates to Scotch and Irish whiskies as they use pot stills; column stills used for bourbon don’t really have much of a shape to speak of). Even though there are many factors that contribute to the flavor of whisky, you can tell something about the basic character by looking at the stills. Taller and slimmer pot stills produce smooth and mild whiskies and shorter pot stills make fuller and stronger whiskies. This separation of heavier and lighter substances can also be achieved with a boil ball in the lower part of the still neck. The ball causes some of the spirit to be redirected into the pot before it gets to the neck, contributing to lighter, more floral and fruity flavors. The more you know.
