Distilling versus Sugar and Water

[jem]

Hi,

I have just been visiting your site and would like to thank you for the interesting information and discussions contained herein.

As I have just been interested in distilling or making my own spirits etc I thought I would have a look here and see some different methods etc.
After reading this forum I went to the local brew shop and asked about the various methods and tools required.

Then I remembered some old recipes I had for making liqueurs. I checked out my library and found some old recipes for the following

Bailey's Irish Cream, Kahlua, Cherry Brandy, Malibu, Galiano etc.

Now the interesting thing is these recipes ONLY require

A bottle of essence, 1 cup of Sugar and 375mls of boiling water.
No distillation or any other ingredients.
I do remember making these a few years ago now (maybe 15 years) and remember them t5asting rather nice.

Could someone please explain the difference in making these spirits versus Distilling?

Thanks again

Quentin

[Dnderhead]

Apparently you did not do much reading,
so Ill answer the same way, you were making "sugar wine" highest alcohol that you can git is 20% -24 under lab. conditions.
distilling just removes the alcohol leaving the water etc. behind.making it almost pure.

[rubber duck]

Dunder got right to the point. Do some reading here, ok a lot of reading/ days of reading. Then ask some well thought out questions. Stay the hell out of the brew shop and do a lot of research here before you get a still that you won't like.

Also stop by the welcome center.

RD