A pot still is a type of distillation apparatus or still used to distill liquors such as whisky or brandy. In modern (post-1850s) practice, they are not used to produce rectified spirit, because they do not separate congeners from ethanol as effectively as other distillation methods. Pot stills operate on a batch distillation basis. Traditionally constructed from copper, pot stills are made in a range of shapes and sizes depending on the quantity and style of spirit desired.
Pot stills at the Lagavulin Distillery
Historical whiskey pot still at the Jameson Midleton distillery in Cork, Ireland
A cognac pot still
A spirit safe (i.e. padlocked apparatus at the end of the pot still enabling the distiller to cut off the "heads" and "tails" of distillation; it is padlocked for excise accounting reasons)
A still is an apparatus used to distill liquid mixtures by heating to selectively boil and then cooling to condense the vapor. A still uses the same concepts as a basic distillation apparatus, but on a much larger scale. Stills have been used to produce perfume and medicine, water for injection (WFI) for pharmaceutical use, generally to separate and purify different chemicals, and to produce distilled beverages containing ethanol.
Swan-necked copper pot stills in the Glenfiddich distillery
Column still from Kilbeggan Distillery in County Westmeath in Ireland.
Old Ukrainian vodka still
Zambian artisanal Kachasu still and cooler