Keg still tower design questions

[fafrd]

I am an experienced winemaker thinking of getting into fortified wine (for which I need some spirits). I'm thinking of using a 15gal keg I have to make a Keg Tower still like this: http://www.instructables.com/id/Buildin ... ll-design/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

I have 10s of gallons of unexceptional wine and wine past its prime so that is what I will be distilling. High alcohol % is not a priority and I would like as much of the grape/wine flavor/characteristic to make it through to the spirits as is easy to achieve.

I have some design questions on the basic copper tower I'm planning on building and would appreciate any guidance that can be offered by the experienced members of this forum:

Condenser
I saw a few posts scattered around about pre-canned condensors not being long enough and having to add an extension.

For flavored distillations where high alcohol levels are not a priority, is there any advantage to having a longer condenser?

With this simple pot-still tower design, what is the benefit of a longer condensor?

4' or even 10' will be about as easy for me as 2', so is there any reason I might want or might want to avoid making a longer condenser?

Cap / narrowing
I've seen three typical designs:
-2" to 1/2" reducer before an elbow: http://www.instructables.com/id/Buildin ... ll-design/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
-2" elbow before a 2" to 1/2" reducer: https://milehidistilling.com/product/2- ... tower-kit/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
-2" to 1/2" (or 3/4") reducing T with the open top plugged with a cork (which may include a thermometer: https://milehidistilling.com/product/po ... nch-tower/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Firstly, is there and advantage to making a 2" turn before constricting to 1/2"?

Secondly, is there any advantage to extending up past the 'turn' / exit hole and having an open top (plugged with a stopper)?

As I'm learning more (here on the board), my simple understanding of this design is that whatever condenses within the vertical tower will reflux back down to the pot while once vapor 'makes the turn' it will end up condensig and flowing into output. I'm trying to understand what is driving these various designs and what the pros and cons are.

Thermometer
I appreciate your earlier response which clarifies that a thermometer is not required. The cost and complexity of including a thermowell is pretty minor, so I may want to include one even if it ends up not being required for the type of distilling I am interested in. So some questions on thermometer placement:

Where is the best location for a temperature sensor?

Is the thermometer more useful measuring the temperature near the top of the column (within the column where there is reflux) or within the bend where the passing vapors will condense into the output)?

Is there any value to measuring the temperature of the liquid in the pot?

Counterflow jacket
I've built counterflow chillers for beermaking using stainless or copper tubing within a rubber or plastic/PEX jacket, so I am familar with the design of the condenser.

My sense is that the use of a copper jacket is purely for show since the coolant with the jacket never comes into contact with product, but I'd appreciate to understand if there is something I may be missing.

I'm planning to build my jacket with a single soldered 3/4" (or 1") NPT adapter near the hot end of the condenser, followed by a threaded plastic T with a hose adapter port for coolant out port, a 3/4" (or 1" if there is any advantage to going bigger) plastic tube down near the outout end of the condenser, into another threaded plastic T with a hose adapter port for coolant in port, followed by a 3/4" (or 1") compression adapter to seal against the inner tube. All of this 'plastic' will be rated to 250F.

Plastic won't look as purdy as shiny copper, but it will be alot cheaper and since it is all threaded, it will be much easier to assemble and can be dissassenbled at any time.

Is there any reason that I would not want to do this (other than missing out on the ooohs and aaahs of any onlookers)?

Thanks all for any answers to these questions.