What is better stillman option or alambic. Alambik or moonshine - which is better? Specifications, instructions and reviews

- this is alembic, made by hand and used to obtain alcohol, essential oils or hydrolates (floral waters). The difference between alambika and other moonshine stills is that it is made from copper. Its principle of operation has remained unchanged for more than a thousand years, and the design of the device itself has been brought to perfection. The Alambik consists of a still, helmet and cooler made from 99% copper. A cube is a round-shaped container used to heat mash. The helmet has a dome shape and is necessary to collect alcohol vapors. A really high-quality alambik has a reference wall thickness of 1 mm. All connections must be made using silver based solders.

The principle of operation of a classic copper alambik

The device of the classic alambik is designed in such a way as to preserve the aromatic substances of the drink to the maximum. Above the distillation cube (1) is a helmet (2), which looks like an onion, and the distillate is discharged through a curved tube called the "swan neck" (3). The water that is in the condenser (5) exits through the upper fitting (4), and the finished product is discharged through the lower fitting (6). If your classic alambika has 3 fittings, then the third one is provided for water supply.

The device of the classic alambika

1. distillation cube;
2. helmet;
3. steam tube;
4. fitting for water drainage;
5. refrigerator-condenser;

The principle of operation of an alambika with a column

The design of this alambik is the same as that of the standard one. It differs only in the presence of a removable column. This model of the apparatus is suitable for the distillation of wort, as well as for the production of essential oils and hydrolats. In the case of obtaining hydrolates, the alambika cube must be filled with 75% water, and the column with vegetable raw materials, for example, petals or flowers of various plants. When heated, the steam rises and passes through the organic raw materials and takes with it the molecules of essential oils. Therefore, at the output you can get flower water or hydrolate, as well as various aromatic spirits: homemade brandy, whiskey and calvados.

Alambika device with a column

1. distillation cube;
2. Column;
3. helmet;
4. steam tube;
5. refrigerator-condenser;
6. water outlet;
7. water supply fitting;
8. outlet for finished product.

The principle of operation of the Charente alambik

The Charente Alambique (alambic Charantais) is one of the most popular distillers. It is used in many well-known cognac houses. This type of alambika is also made of copper, which means it conducts heat evenly and is resistant to oxidation. A copper vat is placed inside the brick podium - a distillation cube, under which there is a stove. Above the cube is a helmet that accumulates vapours. The "swan neck" departs from the helmet. It is with its help that steam enters the refrigerator and exits as a liquid. finished product usually collected in barrels. After each distillation, the cube is first cleaned and only then proceed to the subsequent distillation. In most distilleries, when preparing drinks, the final and initial fractions are separated. "Head" are used exclusively for technical purposes, and "tail" can be added during re-distillation. The “heart” fraction is used for the preparation of high-quality aromatic drinks and for aging cognac spirits.

Charente alambik device

1. distillation cube;
2. helmet;
3. steam tube;
4. an intermediate container in which the vapors are additionally cooled and the wine is heated;
5. refrigerator-condenser with fittings for water inlet and outlet;
6. fitting for the exit of the finished product (with an alcohol meter holder);
7. stillage outlet fitting;
8. wine drain tube;
9. thermometer.

The principle of operation of the Arabic alambik (alquitar)

Arabic alambik Alguitar, aka alkitara, is very compact in size, due to the fact that all its components are assembled into a pyramid. It consists of a distillation cube (1) and a refrigerator (2) located on top. When heated, the distillate evaporates, and its vapors settle on the condenser. There are three fittings on the refrigerator: for the outlet of the finished product (3), for the outlet (4) and for the inlet (4) of water. With the help of Arabic alambik (alquitara) you can get fragrant alcoholic drinks.

The device of the Arabic alambik (alquitara)

1. distillation cube;
2. refrigerator-condenser;
3. fitting for the exit of the finished product;
4. water outlet;
5. water supply fitting.

The premium alcitara kit additionally includes a sieve that separates the alembic into two parts. Vegetable raw materials are placed in the intermediate compartment, so the steam passing through it is enriched with essential oils. Thus, it is possible to obtain essential oils, floral waters and hydrolats, and not just fragrant distillates, as in the "Standard" class alkitara.

Alambik- this is a moonshine still, the distillation cube of which is made of copper, is made by hand and is used to obtain aromatic distillates, essential oils or various hydrolates (floral waters). The main difference between alambika and other moonshine stills produced in Russia, for example, is that it is made from copper. Its principle of operation has remained unchanged for more than a thousand years, and the design of the device itself has been brought to perfection. The alambik consists of a spherical still, helmet and cooler made of 99% copper. The helmet has a dome shape and is necessary to collect alcohol vapors and direct the vapors to the center of the swan's neck. A really high-quality alambik has a reference wall thickness of 1 mm. All connections must be made using silver based solders. This makes the design of the device much more expensive than analogues from other countries.
The Charente alambik (alambic Charantais) is one of the most popular mash distillers in Europe. Famous cognacs and brandy are made on such devices. A copper vat is placed inside the brick podium - a distillation cube, under which there is a stove. Above the cube is a helmet that accumulates vapours. The "swan neck" departs from the helmet. It is with its help that steam enters the refrigerator and exits as a liquid. The finished product is usually collected in oak barrels for further retention. After each distillation, the cube is first cleaned and only then the subsequent distillation is started, it is very important to clean the copper apparatus, after each use, oxides form on the walls of the distillation cube. In most distilleries, when preparing any drinks, the final and initial fractions are separated. "Heads" are used exclusively for technical purposes or disposed of, and "tails" can be added during re-distillation to increase the concentration of alcohol in the wort. The “heart” fraction is used for the preparation of high-quality aromatic drinks and for aging cognac spirits.

"Charentes alambik" (alambic Сharantais)- the most "promoted" brand of the French industrial moonshine still used today for the production of cognac spirits in the Hennessy house in the Charente province of France (and not only there).
At Sharantsky Alambik, the product of the first distillation (from wine 7-10%) is obtained with a strength of about 30%. Then it is distilled a second time, turning, after cutting off the “heads” and “tails”, into raw cognac alcohol with a strength of about 70%.
This alcohol is poured into oak barrels and aged in cellars from 3 to 200 years, turning into Hennessy. During the year, about 2% of alcohol (mainly the “head” fraction) evaporates from barrels, which is why the cellars in which barrels with future cognac are stored are called “paradise rooms”, and the guard duty in them lasts no more than half an hour. Naturally, there is practically no alcohol in two-hundred-year-old barrels, but the infusion and aroma from these barrels, added literally drop by drop to each bottle of 3-year-old Hennessy, turns it into an elite cognac!

The picture shows a diagram of this device, from which it is clear how it works:

1. Capacity for heating wine;
2. A tube for supplying hot wine to a cube;
3. Distillation cube;
4.Fire-furnace;
5. "Cap";
6. "Swan neck";
7. Wine heating coil;
8. Condensation coil;
9.Cooling water tank.

Considering that this apparatus was invented in the 16th century, then (from the point of view of today's professionals) it is ideal in its simplicity and functionality. In practice, this is a “quasi-continuous” distillation plant, with economizer 7. That is why the French continue to use this distillation apparatus until now, perhaps replacing only firewood with gas in it, and manually topping up cold water into the bottom of the tank with a pump (9).
In this moonshine still, of interest are: a wine heating coil, a “cap” and a “swan neck”.
The steam, passing through the coil 7, is partially condensed and, getting into the coil 8, heats the cooling water less. The area of ​​the coil 7 is selected so that by the end of the distillation the next portion of the wine in the container 1 is heated almost to the boiling point. After overflowing into an already emptied cube, it immediately boils. Tank 1 with coil 7 is a heat economizer for saving firewood and cooling water.
Somewhat later, in the 17th century, distillers appeared in Russia, according to the descriptions very similar to "alambiks". The schemes of these devices have been lost (apparently, in the course of the centuries-old struggle against drunkenness), but from the texts one can understand that they also had elements of both 5 and 6, only they were called in our language - “helmet” and “goose”. But our "goose" was significantly higher than the French "swan neck".
Professionally dealing with issues of rectification, it is easy for us to explain that the “helmet” and “goose” are a kind of air dephlegmator. The steam on the inner surface of these elements is partially condensed, the distillate flows down the "goose" and "helmet". Thus, these elements (as well as the “cap” and “swan neck” of the Charente alambique) provide a double effect - they extinguish the foam if it gets into the “helmet” and increase the vapor concentration (as in a distillation column). The higher the goose, the stronger the alcohol!
All moonshiners know the problem of foaming. Now they are struggling with it simply - they reduce gas consumption, turn off the heating elements, regulate the electric stove. Less evaporation - less foam. At the Charentes Alambique, the cube was heated with firewood, but you can’t “turn it off” or “reduce” it, so the French had to invent a “cap” and a “swan neck” to combat foam with constant heat release from burning firewood.

Traditionally, in our country, alcoholic beverages are made at home using moonshine. However, not so long ago, very interesting products appeared on sale, which are also excellent for this purpose. They are made of copper and are called alambiks. In this regard, many fans of the distillation of homemade alcoholic beverages have a question: "Alambik or moonshine - which is better?"

Features of the design of the moonshine still

The classical equipment for the distillation of alcohol used in Russia consists of:

A distillation cube in which raw materials are heated.

Sealed lid with thermometer.

Steam tube.

Coil tubes.

Refrigerator filled with water. A coil passes through this container.

Containers for collecting the final product.

Sometimes the apparatus is supplemented with a distillation column. With its use, you can get very clean moonshine, devoid of any smell. As a filler in a distillation column, metal shavings are usually used. Heavy fractions of steam settle in this device.

Alambika design features

So, alambik or moonshine - which is better? To answer this question for yourself, you should also learn about the design features of the copper version. In fact, alambic is the same distillation cube. The design of the classic model includes:

distillation cube;

a helmet in the form of an onion;

steam tube;

coil in the refrigerator.

As you can see, structurally, the alambik is practically no different from the moonshine still. Often, in addition to it, a special column is purchased, installed between the helmet and the alembic. Unlike distillation, it is used to give moonshine a certain smell and taste. For this, various kinds are poured into it. natural ingredients. Alambik with a column can be used not only for making moonshine, but also for obtaining essential oils. This is how in ancient times they used alambik (or moonshine for an alchemist). They learned how to get alcohol with its use a little later.

Essential oils are prepared in alambika using a rather simple technology. It is not mash, but water that is poured into the distillation tank. At the same time, flower petals are poured into the column, for example. Passing inside it, the steam simply captures aromatic compounds. Very often, alambicas are also used to make cognacs and other expensive alcoholic beverages.

Types of alambiks

The model described above is the classic, most popular alambik moonshine still. Its device is really simple. However, today on sale you can find slightly different varieties of this equipment. Alambikas exist:

Designed for the production of whiskey. A feature of such devices is a helmet made in the form of an onion. With their use, you can drive moonshine with a strength of up to 70 gr.

Charente. Used to distill cognac. A special container is additionally included in the design of this apparatus. With the use of such alambicas, almost continuous distillation can be carried out.

There are also alambiks with distillation columns, water seals, in a water bath, etc.

Alambik or moonshine - which is better in this or that case?

What is the best device to buy for making alcoholic beverages at home? In this case, it all depends on the purpose for which it is supposed to use the device.

Since alambiks are made of copper, their price is much higher than for conventional moonshine stills. The first type of distillation devices costs about 12-25 thousand rubles. Alcohol mashine can be purchased for 3-10 thousand. Thus, the high cost can be attributed to the minuses of alambiks. Their advantage is that:

Moonshine expelled with their use is better. The copper from which they are made absorbs many harmful substances during the distillation process. In addition, even in the absence of a column, some of them settle in the helmet.

With the use of alambik, you can cook not only moonshine, but also liquors, wine, etc.

Thus, in the event that you only need the unit for making moonshine, it is better to purchase an inexpensive regular stainless steel model. But at the same time, you should definitely pay attention to the quality of the material used for manufacturing. Stainless steel should be food, and even better, medical. With the use of such moonshine stills, it is possible to drive a drink, in quality inferior to that made with the help of alambika, only slightly.

If it is supposed to make not only moonshine, but also other, more complex drinks, of course, you should pay attention to the alambic (or copper moonshine still).

The best models of moonshine stills and reviews about them

Most often in our country they buy equipment of this type of brand:

"Magarych".

Gorilych.

Judging by customer reviews, using the latter, you can drive very good moonshine practically devoid of any odour. Also, the advantages of "Gorilychi" include ease of use and low cost.

Apparatus "Magarych" lovers of distillation of homemade alcoholic beverages are also considered very reliable. The advantage of these models is also considered to be excellent build quality and attractive appearance. Such a device can serve for a very long time, as it is made of thick steel. The simplicity of design and the absence of unnecessary details are also considered by many to be a plus for models of this brand.

Alambik moonshine still: consumer reviews

The best equipment of this type is considered to be made in Portugal and Spain. It is about these models that there are most good feedback. Alambiques are usually made by hand in these countries and are not cheap. Their assembly is carried out according to technologies developed in ancient times. Copper for the manufacture of such alambiks is used only the highest quality. Enterprises specializing in its production carefully monitor this.

Too inexpensive devices of this variety, many consumers are not advised to purchase. The fact is that often these are ordinary fakes made of stainless steel, only decorated with copper. Consequently, the moonshine expelled in them is absolutely no different from that prepared in a traditional apparatus.

Where could I buy?

Many users are interested in where you can buy such an interesting moonshine still. Barrels and alambicas, as well as ordinary stainless steel models, are often sold in specialized departments of household appliances shopping centers. This equipment can also be purchased online. A barrel should be bought for storage, for example, cognac made with the help of alambic.

Is it possible to make an alambic with your own hands

To make such a device yourself is not too simple. However, with a strong desire, everything is possible. Sheet copper and a minimum of skills in soldering it are all that is needed to assemble such equipment as an alambik moonshine with your own hands. Reviews about equipment of this type made by Russian craftsmen are often no worse than about Portuguese and Italian ones. But only if high-quality material and expensive solder with the addition of silver were used during its assembly. The very same technology for making alambic looks like this:

Cutting is done beforehand. Of course, it will be problematic to make a spherical distillation vessel. But it is quite possible to give it a cylindrical shape with a smoothed contour of the top and bottom.

Soldering is in progress.

The finished device is cleaned to a shine.

Thus, asking the question: “Alambik or moonshine - which is better?”, You should first of all be guided by the purpose for which the equipment is required. The first variety is worth buying for those who want to try their hand at making different types alcoholic products. If you need ordinary moonshine, it is still better to purchase a simple stainless steel model.

Alambik and its purpose

Alambik has a peculiar design, looking at which one gets the feeling that the device is not intended for the production of alcohol, but to summon gin. Indeed, the alambic outwardly resembles the very magic lamp of Aladdin, which is written about in fairy tales. But, despite such a strange appearance, the device can be used for pasture. noble drinks.

Alambik is not quite suitable for the production of moonshine in the direct sense of the word. Its design features make it possible to make whiskey, cognac or wine from mash at home.

Alambika drawings have been known to mankind since ancient Egypt. But in those days, people did not have a special love for strong drinks, but preferred to absorb wine in liters. Initially, the device was used to obtain ethers. Alambic was in demand among perfumers, they used it to produce perfumes, squeezed essential oils from rose petals and other flowers.

However, the Europeans quickly realized that the abilities of the alambic were not limited to this, they began to use it as an apparatus that would help create high-quality alcohol.

If we talk about the abilities of the alambic, they are impressive. The device helps, due to the unique structure and the material from which it is made, to rid the drink of a large number harmful impurities. Most often, alambik is made of copper, silver is used as solder. The device has an interesting structure, including:

1. Like any moonshine still, it has a distillation cube.
2. The coil in the refrigerator.
3. A tube that removes steam.
4. A helmet that looks like an onion.

The design of the device is simple and has minor differences from the classic device, which is used to distill moonshine. But it is these minor differences that make the alambic unique.

However, there are various types of apparatus, they are divided into:

• Apparatus used to make whiskey. They are required to have a helmet in the form of an onion. Such devices are used to produce alcohol with a strength of not more than 70 degrees.
• And also for those designs in the devices of which there is a special capacity. They must be used to distill cognac. Such a structure helps to organize non-stop production.

A good alambic cannot be cheap, and the reason is that it is made from sheets of copper. This metal is not cheap, especially when compared with food grade stainless steel, which is used in the manufacture of conventional moonshine stills.

Advantages and disadvantages

The alambik moonshine still has a number of advantages in relation to the usual devices that are used to distill moonshine. Among the positive qualities are:

• comparative compactness;
• beautiful appearance;
• the ability to produce a high quality product;
• the ability to organize non-stop production.

Naturally, the main advantage of the device is the ability to get high-quality alcohol from mash, the strength of which will be up to 70 degrees. At the same time, the drink will not harm human health, since it will contain a minimum amount of fusel oil and other harmful substances.

In addition, in addition to the alambic itself, you will also have to buy an oak barrel, since only mash is prepared in a barrel, which is later used to distill noble drinks.

However, do not be upset, a device made of copper is highly durable and resistant to temperatures. With proper use, the alambik will last a long time and will please the owner with more than one portion of a quality product.

The capabilities of modern moonshine stills are not so high. If the device is made of stainless steel, then its service life is also quite high. But the alcohol obtained as a result of pasture will differ in taste and quality from the product that can be obtained using alambik.

To understand the issue and buy what you need, it is worth answering the question, why exactly do you need a moonshine? If you plan to purchase it in order to drive exclusively and only moonshine, then you should not spend money and buy a device made of copper. You can choose the device that suits the cost and other parameters.

If, in addition to moonshine, it is planned to produce wine, cognac, whiskey or other drinks, then, of course, preference should be given to alambika. In this case, it will be indispensable, help to achieve the required strength of drinks and make high-quality alcohol at home.

We minimize costs

Some craftsmen manage to make an alambik on their own, this helps to save money and get a device of good quality that can be used for its intended purpose.

It is clear that it is difficult to make very bulky devices for distilling moonshine on your own, it is also not so easy to cut out and weld an alambik from copper. In order not to waste time in vain, it is recommended to get to work for those who are at least a little familiar with welding and can independently make blanks (pattern or drawings).

For work you will need:

1. Welding and copper sheets.
2. Silver solder and blueprints.

When the device is ready, it is worth checking it in practice, the main thing is the tightness of the device, because the ingress of oxygen into the mash can spoil it, affect the fermentation process and the quality of the product.

But before checking, it is necessary to clean the device to a shine, polish it so that the copper shines.

If we talk about how realistic it is to make an alambik with your own hands, then the process of making it cannot be called easy. It will require certain abilities and knowledge from a person, for this reason many people prefer not to bother and buy a device. There is always the risk of spending money on raw materials and ruining them for nothing.

But when buying a device in a store, you should avoid too profitable offers. The low price is sometimes due to the fact that the alambik is not made of copper, but of stainless steel. The metal is simply decorated to look like copper; a device made in this way will not allow you to get high-quality alcohol.

A bit of history

From time immemorial, Russia has been associated among foreign citizens with strong alcohol and a love of drunkenness. But in reality this was not always the case.

The records of the Egyptians and the drawings, which resembled an alambik, date back to the 3rd century. Which means that even in those distant times, the inhabitants of Egypt had the opportunity to make alcohol of sufficient strength, and in our country such devices appeared much later.

Experts say that around the 16th-17th centuries they began to brew moonshine in Russia. People made drinks of low quality, which did not differ in special strength. Everyone is familiar with the classic models of devices for the production of alcohol, but, oddly enough, even in those years, the Russians knew about the existence of alambik. It was just that it was used not for the production of wine or whiskey, but for the creation of cosmetics and perfumes.

At a time when the inhabitants of Europe have already mastered the device and realized that esters and oils are, of course, good, but wine and other drinks that contain alcohol should also be present in the house. Especially when it comes to the house of some nobleman or monarch.

History of the alambic

Similar devices have been used in Ancient Egypt in the 3rd century BC (possibly earlier), and the first written mention of alambiks is found in the Arabic book of the 9th century "On the chemistry of incense and distillations". It is likely that copper stills came to Europe in the 7th century from the East, and the Moors adopted the technology from the ancient Romans and Greeks.

The original purpose of alambiques was not associated with alcoholic beverages, paints, medicines and aromatic essences were made in copper distillers. Only in the 16th century the device was "retrained" for the production of alcohol. Literally any products were used as raw materials, from grape pulp to grain, corn, and potatoes.

Over time, the craftsmen improved the device, increasing productivity and efficiency. In 1831, permanent distillation alambic was invented, without which we could not enjoy Scotch whisky, English gin and many other "noble" types of alcohol. This apparatus distills raw materials not in batches, but continuously, thanks to which the process goes several times faster, and the output is a cleaner and stronger drink with less waste.

Today you can buy alambiks from 5 to 100 liters; wineries use large industrial alambiks for thousands of liters. The products of Portuguese and Spanish craftsmen are especially respected: in these countries, the famous moonshine stills are still made 90% by hand, tapping the desired shape with a hammer and carefully adjusting all the components.

Industrial alambik

Advantages and disadvantages of alambikov

Alambik moonshine is considered an original gift and useful household utensils. This device is really indispensable for those who like to treat themselves to homemade alcohol and want to achieve the perfect quality of the drink. Here are just some of the advantages of copper alambiks:

• ease of operation and unpretentiousness;
• alambik can be used anywhere: in a city apartment, in a country house, in nature;
• suitable for heating the distillation cube and open fire, and an electric stove, and a gas burner, and any other methods;
• due to its aesthetic appearance, alambik can serve as a decorative element in interior design;
• if you equip the apparatus with additional accessories (water bath, column), you can distill even thick raw materials or flavor moonshine.

Disadvantages of alambic Price is the main disadvantage: copper and manual labor are not cheap. In addition, the device will have to be monitored - polished, cleaned, wiped with special means in time.

Types of alambiks

According to the production method (that is, by quality), the following types of alambiks can be distinguished:

• Riveted. Such devices look "entourage", but are considered to be of lower quality than their counterparts with welded seams. The "swan neck" (steam tube) is joined to the cooler telescopically without additional fasteners or has a screw thread.
• Soldered. All elements are hermetically connected, the risk of leakage or malfunction is completely excluded. You can install additional elements, such as a column.

The shape of the alambics are of the following types:

Classical. Three basic components connected by riveting or soldering.

classic model

With a column. In an additional, usually removable, “nozzle” between the cube and the helmet, you can add rose petals, berries or fruits to flavor the moonshine. The steam passes through the column, absorbs the essential oils of the raw materials, as a result, the distillate has an aroma and slightly changes the taste. It is this type of alambika that is used in the perfume industry.

With aroma column

Portuguese Alambique. Close to the classic with a column, only the evaporation chamber is slightly enlarged, respectively, and the distillate strength is higher. Can be used for steam distillation.

Portuguese

Arabic (Alquitar). Vertical, all components are stacked on top of each other, not arranged in a horizontal plane. The refrigerator is connected to the helmet. Compact, comfortable, beautiful. In addition to moonshine, it is used to obtain essential oils.

Alquitar

Charentsky. It differs from its counterparts in the intermediate capacity between the distillation cube and the refrigerator, which can serve as an additional cooler or reservoir for raw materials. It is these alambicas that are used to make real French cognac in the province of the same name. The liquid in them undergoes an additional second distillation, and oak barrels often play the role of an alcohol receiver.

Charente (cognac)

There are also several specialized alambiks with special components:

A device with a water seal. A special chute between the walls of the distillation cube ensures complete sealing of the alambic. Often the design is equipped with a special distillation lens that increases the strength of the distillate and cuts off the "head" (the first fractions of moonshine containing esters, aldehydes and other harmful substances).

With water seal

Alambik in a water bath. It is used for the distillation of thick raw materials. The alembic is placed in another container, which is filled with water before distillation. As a result, the mash does not come into contact with an open flame, but is heated by steam, so it does not burn.

In a water bath for the distillation of thick mash

"Whiskey". Equipped with an elongated "helmet" of the distillation cube, so that the steam is better cleaned. The strength of the distillate is up to 60%.

For whiskey

Alambik with distillation column- during distillation, harmful fractions settle on the walls of the column, the output is almost pure alcohol with a strength of about 90 degrees. The disadvantage is that the aroma of the raw material is lost.

For pure alcohol

Operation of alambiks

Before the first use, a brand new alambik must be thoroughly cleaned, for this it is enough just to distill a portion of water. After distillation of moonshine, the apparatus must be disassembled and thoroughly washed with all parts with a solution citric acid, the coil is best cleaned with a brush.

If you use alambic after a long break, run a mixture of water and flour through the apparatus (proportion rye flour to water 1/20). Store the copper distiller in a dark, dry place away from dust and dirt.

Translated from Arabic, its beautiful, intriguing name al-ambik means just an alembic and completely determines its purpose. There is another version: this is the ancient Greek definition of a vase, which is very similar to the alambic - "ambix".

The history of its appearance goes back into the depths of centuries. Even the Greek philosopher Zosimus in the ΙΙΙ century was lucky to find drawings of alambic on the ancient walls of Egyptian temples. But since the ancient Greeks preferred mainly low-alcohol ambrosia from alcoholic beverages, the miracle device was used exclusively for distilling resins, obtaining essential oils, essences.

Originally created for the manufacture of medicines, alambik, once in Europe, turned into the main apparatus for the production of perfumes. And only in the XVΙ century people came up with, distilling sour wine, the main use today is the distillation of alcohol. Around the same time, until then, Russia, unspoiled by strong alcohol, learned from its western neighbors the wiring and, naturally, invented its own alambic - a moonshine still.

In 1831, Aeneasa Coffey invented the continuous distillation alambik, which still produces vodka, gin, whiskey and other good quality spirits.

Having adopted the thousand-year experience of their ancestors, modern masters still manufacture devices for distillation using technologies proven over the centuries. Their main raw material is copper. Only some parts that are not in contact with the distilled food product, it is allowed to grind from stainless food steel. All elements are connected using high-temperature soldering, which guarantees a long service life.

The device consists of:

• helmet - "bulbs";
• distillation cube;
• condenser;
• steam tube.

Today, the main producers of copper moonshine stills are Portugal and Spain.

Alambika types

Alambique portuguese- this is one of the most ancient inventions of mankind for the distillation of liquid. As a rule, it is made of copper by hand by forging. Each Portuguese master tries to make his work exclusive by applying his own ornaments, oriental patterns, on the walls of the cube, by which the creator of the masterpiece is easily identified. By and large, the Portuguese Alambique is called so because it is made in Portugal. Moreover, it can be of different types and different design features.

This is a moonshine from France, the province of Charente. With its help, the primary distillation of wine is made into a product with a strength of 30 o, and then a secondary distillation into raw cognac alcohol of 70 o strength. It is clogged in oak barrels for a period of 3 to 200 years to get a wonderful cognac "Hennessy", known throughout the world. Design features that distinguish the device.

1. Economizer. It consists of a container of wine through which a coil passes. From its lower part, a tube for supplying heated wine to the distillation cube departs.
2. Furnace-furnace. Initially, it was heated with wood, now gas is used.
3. Cap and "swan neck". In essence and principle of operation, they are an air dephlegmator that extinguishes foam and increases the concentration of steam.

It is interesting that in Russia in the 17th century such a moonshine was made, which, like two drops of water, looks like a Charente alabamik, only the curved tube “swan neck” was called “goose” in it.

- a high-class professional apparatus for the distillation and production of whiskey, as well as other high-grade noble drinks with a strength of up to 70 o. Like all the previously described alambiks, the whiskey is made of forged copper absorbing harmful substances and has a high thermal conductivity, equipped with a thermometer and a safety valve. Another difference from other models is the shape of the cap (helmet) in the form of an onion, rising high vertically.

Alambik with a column is designed for distillation of aromatic alcohol. Various organic substances are placed in the column, which give their esters to the distilled product. In addition, the same device can be used to obtain cosmetic hydrolates or essential oils.

Distillation apparatus, a type of alambika, designed for distillation of noble alcohol, flavored and improved, as well as aromatic components of various cosmetics. It would seem that everything is the same, but there is a significant difference - the alquitara has a vertical arrangement of nodes, which, in turn, are connected using silver-based solders with a small (0.05%) lead content. With the help of the Alcitara apparatus, it is possible to obtain a product much stronger (up to 60 o) from one distillation than with ordinary alambika. Alquitara works with a capacity of approximately 3 liters per hour

Differences between alambika and moonshine still

The design of these two devices is fundamentally no different. There is a difference only in the details, which in some way affect the process.

Node name	Alcohol mashine	Alambik
alembic	The shape can be both cylindrical and rectangular. Sometimes aluminum cans are adapted for it, glass bottles. The material is also used varied: glass, aluminum, food grade stainless steel. An outlet valve is attached to the bottom of the cube.	Made from pure copper by hand forging. It has the shape of a round decanter, vase or ball with a neck. As a rule, it has no additional details, except for two handles.
Lid	An important part of the apparatus, in which a thermometer is built in to monitor the degree of heating of the mash, is a safety valve that relieves excess pressure in the cube. The lid is hermetically fixed by a locking mechanism on the cube.	The bulb lid or cap fits snugly into the socket of the cube. There is no rigid fixation, therefore, with excessive pressure, the lid simply rises and depressurizes the device. As a rule, no additional devices are used.
Steam tube	Fits tightly into the lid. Can be made from different materials.	"Goose", "Swan neck" or just a pipe is characteristics alabama of various types. In the apparatus of the alquitar, it is not at all.
Coil	A spiral tube passing through a "cooler" in which condensation occurs. There are designs in which the cooling tube, on the contrary, passes through heated steam.	Similarly
Fridge	It is a container with cold water.	Similarly
Container for collecting the received product	Not included, any vessel.	Not included, any vessel.

The biggest difference is the material used. Since complex chemical reactions take place inside the container, the material from which the container itself is made is of great importance in the process of distilling a liquid. If in a conventional moonshine still the manufacturer, using glass, aluminum or stainless steel, achieves a neutral reaction of the walls of the cube and positions the containers as harmless to humans, then in the story with the oriental "Aladdin's lamp" the opposite is true. Here the copper from which it is made reacts with the contents of the dishes, which is very welcome, and precipitates sulfur oxide. The liquid is absorbed by reacting with the metal, while the taste of the product becomes many times better, more pleasant.

Another big difference between the devices is their cost. It is easy to guess that exclusive hand-made copper alambiks are valued an order of magnitude higher than ordinary moonshine stills used by Russians.

But the magic "Aladdin's lamp" has an additional bonus. If an ordinary moonshine still is taken out of the pantry only for the duration of work, and the rest of the time it is hidden from prying eyes, then the alambic, on the contrary, is put on public display as a beautiful work of art. Its graceful forms, curves, engraving ornaments, copper shades give an oriental flavor to any interior.

What's better?

Having listed all the main characteristics, we can conclude that it is better for the successful production of home-made alcohol, alambique or moonshine. Each of them is good in its own way, and each of the distillers determines the pros and cons, based on what he wants to get at the output, essential oil, calvados, brandy, cognac or strong Russian moonshine.

Have you decided to make delicious and truly high-quality alcoholic drinks at home, on your own? It is worth noting that you have to make a difficult choice, because today there is a wide range of moonshine stills.
Alambik or moonshine, what to prefer?
Quite often, people, choosing a device that helps to get alcoholic drink, do not know what to prefer alambik or moonshine still. In fact, it should be said that these two devices, in principle, perform the same functions, however, there are still differences in appearance, material of manufacture, cost, and sometimes they are quite significant.
First of all, our company recommends paying attention to such a factor as appearance. The fact is that a real alambik reminds many people of props from some oriental fairy tale. As for the usual Russian moonshine, it does not look so presentable. And if you use the device, for example, at home, then there is not much difference which type to prefer, but as a gift, alambic will look much more attractive and more elegant.
The second difference between the two types of devices, and, one might say, one of the main ones, is the material used. As you know, very complex chemical reactions are carried out inside the container, therefore, in the process of distilling a liquid, the material of the container is of great importance. As for the usual moonshine still, the manufacturer uses stainless steel, aluminum or glass there, while obtaining a neutral reaction of the cube walls. At the same time, the container is positioned as absolutely harmless to humans. If we talk about alambic, then everything is done quite the opposite. In this case, manufacturers prefer copper. The choice of this material is explained by the fact that it reacts with the contents of the container and precipitates sulfur oxide. By reacting with the metal, the liquid is absorbed, as a result of which the taste of the product becomes much more pleasant and better.
In addition, alambik and moonshine still differ in their cost. Alambiks are much more expensive than conventional moonshine stills, which are most often used by Russians. However, the durability, the material used, the beautiful appearance justify their price.
Naturally, everyone determines for himself what suits him best, an alambik or a moonshine still, since everyone will find both the advantages and disadvantages of both devices.
Why should you buy from us?
If you don’t know what to stop your attention on, and what to ultimately purchase, whether an alambic or a moonshine still, feel free to contact our company. We have real masters of their craft who, having studied all your needs and preferences, will advise the most optimal option specifically for you.
Advantages of buying alambika in our company:

• - high quality;

• - optimal prices;

• - big choice products;

• - the possibility of using our product for a long period of time;

• - professional consultants who are ready to help with the choice at any time.

If you decide to buy an alambik, please contact our company. We have a huge selection of excellent quality products. Believe us, you can find exactly what you need with us. Alambiks will be especially relevant for those who prefer traditions, exotics and luxury cash desk materials. Alambik is perfect not only for the production of alcohol at home, but, of course, will be a wonderful gift for friends and family.