Pot Still
A pot still is a traditional piece of equipment used in making spirits like whiskey, brandy, and some types of rum. Think of it as a large copper pot that turns alcoholic liquid into stronger spirits through heating and cooling. It's different from modern column stills because it creates spirits with more flavor, which is why many premium spirits producers prefer this method. When someone mentions pot still experience on their resume, they're indicating they know how to operate and maintain this traditional distilling equipment, which is particularly valued in craft distilleries and heritage spirits production.
Examples in Resumes
Operated Pot Still systems to produce award-winning single malt whiskey
Maintained and cleaned Pot Still equipment for optimal spirit production
Supervised a team of 3 operators running Pot Still and Copper Still operations
Typical job title: "Distillers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Distillers
Professional Associations
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you troubleshoot quality inconsistencies in pot still production?
Expected Answer: A senior distiller should explain monitoring temperature control, checking for copper contamination, proper cleaning procedures, and how different variables affect spirit quality.
Q: How would you train new staff on pot still operations?
Expected Answer: Should discuss safety protocols, step-by-step operation procedures, quality control measures, and how to recognize and respond to common issues during distillation.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key differences between pot still and column still production?
Expected Answer: Should explain that pot stills produce more flavorful spirits in batches, while column stills are continuous and produce cleaner, lighter spirits.
Q: How do you maintain proper temperature control during distillation?
Expected Answer: Should discuss monitoring procedures, understanding different heating zones, and adjusting heat levels for optimal spirit production.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic safety procedures when operating a pot still?
Expected Answer: Should mention proper ventilation, monitoring pressure and temperature, emergency shutdown procedures, and proper protective equipment.
Q: Describe the basic steps of pot still operation.
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain loading the still, heating process, collecting different fractions (heads, hearts, tails), and cleaning procedures.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic pot still operation
- Safety procedures
- Cleaning and maintenance
- Basic quality control
Mid (2-5 years)
- Independent still operation
- Spirit quality assessment
- Production scheduling
- Equipment troubleshooting
Senior (5+ years)
- Process optimization
- Team supervision
- Recipe development
- Training and mentoring
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic safety procedures
- Lack of understanding about temperature control
- No experience with quality control measures
- Unable to explain basic distillation processes
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