Cask Hood Copper Pot Stills

These cask hood Al-Ambiq® alembic stills have a graceful design based on old Moorish traditions and are only used in very specific regions such as in the northwest region of Portugal. This distilling apparatus has a larger vapour chamber (the cask hood) and a downwardly inclined spout to the condensing recipient which may account for the higher quantities of distillate obtained in each distillation process. Any drawback in terms of quality can be easily surpassed with a second distillation or refining distillation.

A copper refining lentil (which substitutes the need for a second distillation process), as an additional accessory, may not be purchased for this model due to its design.

There is a rapid brass locking / unlocking union between the cask hood spout and the condensing recipient to avoid the escape of vapours. The condensing recipient is equipped with a water inlet tube located at the bottom of the condensing recipient and an outlet tube at the top where the water exits. In this manner the water circulates in the opposite direction of the descending vapours.

Unlike the riveted union construction, the three parts that make up the copper pot (bottom, belly and top) are welded together, and the thickness of the copper used in these alembics is also greater. Any soldered unions may be of either brass or copper depending on its location, thus obtaining a non-lead unit.This is known as soldered union construction and it guarantees perfect impermeability.

The smaller sizes may be used domestically unlike the larger models which require an adequate distillation area and knowledge by the distiller. Even though these alembic stills are recommended for experienced distillers, this does not mean that those who wish to start with home distilling should feel apprehensive when acquiring one of these models. These models may be used for the distillation of alcoholic spirits, as is the case in the Iberian Peninsula, essential oils for preparing medicinal herbal extracts and perfumes, rosewater or whatever your imagination might come up with.

Basic information on different distilling processes is available on this site and a list of precautions that should be taken into consideration for any model. You may also find a short sequence of pictures and explanatory text of a "Portuguese Experience" the distillation of Grappa which will also help any newcomer.

The separate parts that make up a still have been designed and manufactured to fit together perfectly and seal off all vapours (thus the concave shape of the cask hood). After years of usage some natural slack may occur between these parts and will need to be sealed off to prevent the escape of vapours. This is achieved with a very simple and rudimentary sealing technique.

These products are made with thicker copper sheetings and therefore we are only able to manufacture them with our Premium line.

Click to watch a 2D animation of Cask Hood Copper Alembic Stills