Heads and tails

During distilling, the components of the distillate come off one after another. The heads contain highly volatile substances, including methanol and solvent-like aromas, and smell sharp. The tails, with heavier substances, so-called fusel oils, often taste oily and musty.

The distiller cuts off these two sections and keeps the middle cut, also called the heart. Where exactly the cut is made substantially affects the purity and character of the spirit. Heads and tails are often redistilled or discarded. Precise cutting is considered a craft in which distillers differ.