Vapor Infusion

Term from Distilleries industry explained for recruiters

Vapor Infusion is a modern technique used in distilleries to add flavors to spirits. Instead of directly mixing ingredients, this method uses alcohol vapors to capture flavors from herbs, fruits, or spices, creating more refined and complex taste profiles. Think of it as a gentler way of flavoring spirits compared to traditional methods. Similar approaches include maceration or steeping, but vapor infusion is considered more sophisticated and can produce cleaner flavor results. You might also hear this referred to as "vapor basket infusion" or "botanical vapor infusion."

Examples in Resumes

Managed Vapor Infusion processes for premium gin production, resulting in 30% flavor improvement

Developed new flavor profiles using Vapor Basket Infusion techniques for specialty spirits

Supervised Botanical Vapor Infusion operations for craft distillery product line

Typical job title: "Distillery Operations Specialists"

Also try searching for:

Distiller Spirit Production Specialist Craft Distiller Production Manager Spirits Development Specialist Master Distiller Process Development Specialist

Where to Find Distillery Operations Specialists

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you develop a new flavor profile using vapor infusion?

Expected Answer: A senior distiller should explain the process of selecting botanicals, testing different combinations, controlling temperature and timing, and managing quality control throughout the development process.

Q: What are the key factors in scaling up vapor infusion from small batch to large production?

Expected Answer: Should discuss maintaining consistency across larger batches, equipment considerations, timing adjustments, and quality control measures needed for commercial-scale production.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the main differences between vapor infusion and maceration?

Expected Answer: Should explain how vapor infusion uses alcohol vapors to extract flavors versus soaking ingredients directly in liquid, and the impact on final flavor profiles.

Q: How do you troubleshoot common vapor infusion problems?

Expected Answer: Should describe typical issues like uneven flavor extraction or temperature control problems, and how to identify and resolve these issues.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What safety procedures are important during vapor infusion?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of basic safety protocols, temperature monitoring, and proper handling of equipment and ingredients.

Q: Describe the basic vapor infusion process.

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the fundamental steps of preparing ingredients, setting up equipment, and monitoring the infusion process.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of distillation processes
  • Knowledge of safety procedures
  • Ability to follow established recipes
  • Basic equipment maintenance

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Independent operation of vapor infusion equipment
  • Quality control testing
  • Recipe modifications
  • Problem-solving production issues

Senior (5+ years)

  • New product development
  • Process optimization
  • Team management
  • Advanced flavor profile creation

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of basic distillation principles
  • Lack of safety awareness
  • No experience with quality control procedures
  • Unable to explain different extraction methods