input on temperature in the column

[Workpress]

Last weekend I did a 750L distillation run of an apple brandy and I wanted to see how the run would work out if I kept the head temperature at a constant 84*C running as a pot still. 

(on my still that number will start at 80*C and I can raise / lower it throughout the run up to 95*C to help control the abv of the spirit.) With this run I wanted to see what would happen, over the course of distilling the abv settled in at 60% for 12 hours it was a long slow run, there was not a huge change in the smell, taste, or feel of the distillate, it was rather bland in my opinion, that could have been due to the type of apples used as there were not a lot of tannins in them. Once the abv slowly started to drop in the last hour down into the 50*C range I decided to stop collecting as the familiar wet cardboard smell was present. 

I am looking for opinions on head temperature ,pros and cons of controlling it vs. just letting your mash seat and run at a constantly climbing temperature. 

Cheers

 

Workpress

[Castaway Fiji]

what was your abv going in? You loaded 750l? What was the take off?