The art of brandy distillation isn’t dissimilar to the art of gem cutting. Just as a lapidarist carves and polishes a rough stone to reveal and enhance a jewel’s beauty, so the distiller discards or “cuts” the first and last spirit that dribbles out of the still – the rough-tasting “heads and tails” – and retains the finest, purest spirit, the “heart”, to put into barrel for maturation.
Or, at least, that’s how it usually works.
Gift articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.