Apparatus for production of an alcoholic beverage

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for flavoring an ethanolic spirit. A corrosion-resistant container with electric heating elements is used in a distillation process to form an ethanolic spirit. One or more aging enhancers are added to at least a portion of a distillate from the apparatus. A precipitate is allowed to form, removing at least a portion of the aging enhancers. The remaining solution has the enhanced flavor and aroma of an aged spirit.

1 . An ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus comprising, in combination: 
 a cooker containing a fluid mixture having an ethanolic spirit;    means for heating located within said cooker said mixture within said cooker using electric heating elements; and    distillation column means fluid coupled to said cooker for receiving a vapor containing said ethanolic spirit, for returning to said cooker a fluid containing a lower amount of said ethanolic spirit, and for delivering a fluid containing a higher amount of said ethanolic spirit external to said distillation column for use by a person.    
     
     
         2 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a condenser coupled to an output portion of said distillation column.  
     
     
         3 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said distillation apparatus comprises stainless steel and said distillation column means containing a corrosion-resistant packing.  
     
     
         4 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said ethanolic spirit within said cooker is distilled from a strained fermented mixture comprising corn, sugar, yeast, and water.  
     
     
         5 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said strained fermented mixture within said cooker is heated to a temperature of 192 to 196 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         6 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said corrosion-resistant packing comprises stainless steel wool.  
     
     
         7 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein an ethanol-enriched fluid exits said distillation column means through a bottoms conduit leading back to said cooker during distillation of a strained fermented mixture comprising an ethanolic spirit.  
     
     
         8 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a top portion of said distillation column means is maintained at a temperature of 172 to 176 degrees Fahrenheit during distillation of a strained fermented mixture comprising an ethanolic spirit.  
     
     
         9 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a coil of metal tubing positioned inside of said distillation column means thereby maintaining the temperature near the top portion of said distillation column means by circulating cooling water through said coil.  
     
     
         10 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein an ethanol-rich fluid leaving said condenser comprises 80 to 92.5 volume percent ethanol suitable for producing an age enhanced beverage.  
     
     
         11 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said age enhanced beverage is a whiskey.  
     
     
         12 . An ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus comprising, in combination: 
 a stainless steel cooker;    at least one electric heating element positioned in said cooker for heating a mixture comprising an ethanolic spirit located within said cooker;    at least one distillation column; and    a corrosion-resistant packing located in said distillation column, the distillation apparatus being suitable for production of an age enhanced ethanolic spirit.    
     
     
         13 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 12  further comprising a condenser.  
     
     
         14 . The improved ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said mixture located within said cooker is heated to a temperature of 192 to 196 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         15 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said corrosion-resistant packing comprises stainless steel wool.  
     
     
         16 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein an ethanol-enriched fluid exits said at least one distillation column through a bottoms conduit leading back to said cooker during distillation of said mixture comprising an ethanolic spirit.  
     
     
         17 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein a top portion of said at least one distillation column is maintained at a temperature of 172 to 176 degrees Fahrenheit during distillation of said mixture comprising an ethanolic spirit.  
     
     
         18 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 12  further comprising at least one coil of metal tubing positioned inside of each of said at least one distillation column thereby maintaining the temperature near the top portion of said at least one distillation column by circulating cooling water through said at least one coil.  
     
     
         19 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein an ethanol-rich fluid leaving said condenser comprises 80 to 92.5 volume percent ethanol suitable for producing an age enhanced beverage.  
     
     
         20 . The ethanolic spirit distillation apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein said age enhanced beverage is a whiskey.