After a lot of reading, and only very little experience, it would be interesting to know distillers opinions on plated column vs packed column for distilling different spirits.
For example,
I just spent some time in a craft distillery where they successfully only use a packed column with dephlegmator and direct electric heat to produce neutral spirits and also whiskey. By controlling temperatures of cooling water and adjusting the amount of reflux for the product they intend to make, it seems they accomplish their goals just fine.
Odin from iStill also seems to have come to the conclusion after years of development, and is his preference, to use a packed column to produce all kinds of spirits. He has other traditional column options for people who enjoy or are more comfortable with the traditional process.
Of course plated columns with sight glasses look beautiful, but on a budget, is a packed column more practical?
What is your experience?