Hearts
Hearts is a term used in distilling to describe the high-quality middle portion of alcohol that comes out during the distillation process. Think of it like the "sweet spot" or "best part" of the distilled spirit. When making spirits like whiskey or vodka, the liquid that comes out of the still is divided into three parts: heads (first part), hearts (middle part), and tails (last part). The hearts portion is what distillers keep to make their final product because it contains the purest, cleanest-tasting alcohol. This is similar to how you might pick out the best apples from a basket, leaving the bruised ones behind.
Examples in Resumes
Managed collection and separation of Hearts during whiskey production process
Improved quality control procedures for Hearts selection in vodka distillation
Trained junior distillers in identifying and collecting Hearts portion during runs
Typical job title: "Distillers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Distillers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you determine the optimal cut points between heads, hearts, and tails?
Expected Answer: A senior distiller should explain how they use smell, taste, and temperature monitoring to determine precise cutting points, emphasizing safety and quality consistency. They should mention training others and developing standard procedures.
Q: What factors influence the quality of the hearts portion during distillation?
Expected Answer: Should discuss fermentation quality, still operation temperature, cooling rate, and environmental factors. Should demonstrate knowledge of troubleshooting and quality control measures.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you maintain consistency in hearts collection across different batches?
Expected Answer: Should explain record-keeping methods, temperature monitoring, and sensory evaluation techniques used to maintain product consistency.
Q: What safety procedures do you follow when collecting hearts?
Expected Answer: Should describe proper ventilation, fire safety measures, proper equipment handling, and emergency procedures.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic characteristics of hearts compared to heads and tails?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe the basic differences in smell, taste, and appearance between the three portions of the distillate.
Q: How do you document the hearts collection process?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic record-keeping procedures, including temperatures, times, and volumes collected.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of distillation process
- Ability to follow established procedures
- Basic safety knowledge
- Record keeping
Mid (2-5 years)
- Independent operation of stills
- Quality control procedures
- Product consistency maintenance
- Equipment troubleshooting
Senior (5+ years)
- Process optimization
- Team training and supervision
- Recipe development
- Quality assurance program management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic safety procedures
- Unable to explain the difference between heads, hearts, and tails
- Lack of experience with quality control measures
- Poor understanding of documentation requirements
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