What effect does the Lyne Arm have on the still?

What Is a Lyne Arm?
The lyne arm, a crucial component linking the still’s column and neck to the condenser system, plays a significant role in shaping the final flavor of the distilled spirit. The configuration of this connection offers various options, each influencing the characteristics of the produced spirit.

Lyne Arm Angles
One key factor is the angle of the lyne arm, impacting the reflux during distillation. A lyne arm angle exceeding 90 degrees tends to reduce congeners, resulting in a lighter spirit. This is achieved by enhancing passive reflux, allowing condensed material to flow back into the kettle. On the contrary, a lyne arm angle below 90 degrees contributes to a heavier flavor. This angle facilitates the passage of condensed material from the lyne arm to the condenser, enabling more congeners to pass through. A straight lyne arm is considered a neutral position, promoting a more balanced spirit. Similarly, the height of the head on a pot still can mimic the effects of an upward-angled lyne arm by increasing passive reflux back to the kettle.

Distillers frequently experiment with different lyne arm angles to fine-tune the distillation process, aiming to achieve the desired flavor profile and quality for their spirits. Analyzing the pot stills at a distillery and understanding how the slope of the lyne arm can impact flavor provides valuable insights into predicting the potential character of the newly distilled spirit.