distillation
Boiling then cooling
Distillation is a process of separating components from a liquid mixture by selective evaporation and condensation.
The technique exploits differences in boiling points: heat a mixture, capture the vapor, cool it back to liquid, and you've isolated the more volatile component.
This is how spirits like whiskey and vodka are made, and how crude oil becomes gasoline, diesel, and other fuels.
Figuratively, distillation refers to extracting the essence or purest form of something: The essay is a distillation of years of research.
Liquid turning to gas
- condensationVapor turning to liquid
- vaporizationConversion to gas
- boilingLiquid vaporization temperature
- fractionationSeparating mixture into components
reflux · separation · rectification · column · condenser · alembic · cooling · heating
Distillation apparatus
- transmutationComplete change of form
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
- elixirMythical healing draught
- alchemistPractitioner of proto-chemistry
hermetic · retort · sublimation · calcination · arcane · esoteric · purification · transformation
Combining parts into whole
- summaryCondensed account of essentials
- condensationVapor turning to liquid
- essenceFundamental nature of something
- simplificationMaking something less complex
reduction · crystallization · extracting · gist · précis · refinement · compression · encapsulation
Oak-aged grain spirit
- bourbonCorn-based American spirit
- scotchDecisively put an end to
- vodkaClear distilled spirit
- ginCotton-cleaning machine
rum · brandy · moonshine · single-malt · pot-still · cask · barrel · aging
Pleasing olfactory quality
- essenceFundamental nature of something
- notesBrief written records
- accordHarmony between parties
- perfumerFragrance composition specialist
nose · flacon · attar · enfleurage · oud · sandalwood · vetiver · bergamot
Elegance of manner
- separationState of being apart
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
- rectificationAct of setting straight
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
decontamination · removal · impurities · purified · clean · refined · processed · treated
Purest embodiment of something
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- purityUncontaminated quality
- refinementElegance of manner
- coreCentral essential portion
extract · reduction · purified · clarified · refined · condensed · concentrated · pure
Aqueous distillation byproduct
- terpenesHydrocarbon plant compounds
- aromaticsScent-giving substances
- lavenderFragrant herb, pale violet
- carrierOne that transports
yield · botanicals · absolutes · extracts · concentrate · oleoresin · infusion · maceration
evaporation
Liquid turning to gas
- condensationVapor turning to liquid
- vaporizationConversion to gas
- boilingLiquid vaporization temperature
fractionation · reflux · separation · rectification · column · condenser · alembic · cooling · heating · vapor
alembic
Distillation apparatus
- transmutationComplete change of form
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
- elixirMythical healing draught
alchemist · hermetic · retort · sublimation · calcination · arcane · esoteric · purification · transformation · vessel
synthesis
Combining parts into whole
- summaryCondensed account of essentials
- condensationVapor turning to liquid
- essenceFundamental nature of something
simplification · reduction · crystallization · extracting · gist · précis · refinement · compression · encapsulation
whiskey
Oak-aged grain spirit
gin · rum · brandy · moonshine · single-malt · pot-still · cask · barrel · aging · proof
fragrance
Pleasing olfactory quality
perfumer · nose · flacon · attar · enfleurage · oud · sandalwood · vetiver · bergamot · jasmine
refinement
Elegance of manner
- separationState of being apart
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
- rectificationAct of setting straight
clarification · decontamination · removal · impurities · purified · clean · refined · processed · treated · pharmaceutical
quintessence
Purest embodiment of something
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- purityUncontaminated quality
- refinementElegance of manner
core · extract · reduction · purified · clarified · refined · condensed · concentrated · pure · stripped-down
hydrosol
Aqueous distillation byproduct
- terpenesHydrocarbon plant compounds
- aromaticsScent-giving substances
- lavenderFragrant herb, pale violet
carrier · yield · botanicals · absolutes · extracts · concentrate · oleoresin · infusion · maceration
- chemistryatom, atoms, organic chemistry, molecule, chemistry
- purificationchromatography, centrifugation, filtration, electrophoresis, dialysis
- laboratorybeaker, test tube, flask, microscope, pipette
- Perfumeperfume, top note, top notes, base notes, eau de parfum
- petroleumcrude oil, crude, petroleum, oil wells, oil fields
- beverage makingbrew, brewing, ferment, fermentation, bottle
distillationdilution
Reduction in concentration
watering down · adulteration · thinning · contamination · dissolution
distillationelaboration
Development through detail
expansion · amplification · embellishment · explication · padding
distillationsynthesis
Combining parts into whole
combination · amalgamation · mixture · blending · compounding
- double distillationTwo successive vaporization cycles
- vacuum distillationPurification using pressure reduction
- distillation processSeparation via vaporization