What is the term for the heart of the distillation process?

The heart cut is the term used to describe the most desirable portion of the distillation process. During distillation, a liquid mixture is heated to separate its components based on different boiling points. The process typically yields three fractions: the heads, the hearts, and the tails.

The hearts represent the middle fraction, which contains the alcohol and desirable flavor compounds that contribute to the quality of the spirit being produced. This is where the best balance of flavor and purity lies. Distillers carefully select the heart cut to ensure the final product has the intended characteristics desired in the finished spirit.

In contrast, the heads contain lighter compounds, including methanol and other volatiles that are usually undesirable, while the tails comprise heavier compounds that may have off-flavors. These fractions are typically discarded or used differently in the production process, further emphasizing the importance of the heart cut in achieving a high-quality spirit.