Pot Still / Fractional Distillation Column

[flyingdutchman]

Hi,
I have a pot still head I would like to build based on some of the designs I have seen here. I would like to use it for whiskey but also perhaps some thing slightly more neutral at times. I am hoping for some input from those with more experience about my idea. Basically it would be made from 2" dwv copper with about 18-24" before the first fitting and a thermowell at the 90 deg bend.

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1) As is w/out any packing I expect it would act as a simple distillation apparatus with ~1.5 theoretical plates, good for stripping runs and distillation of low wines to produce whiskey.

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2) Then by adding packing and judicial control of heat from my propane burner I am hoping it would behave like a fractional distillation column (passive reflux) increasing my theoretical plates giving me a cleaner separation

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I realize there is no active reflux in this design but am hoping by properly controlling my heat input i should be able to get a much better separation of the different components enabling me to make whiskey from single runs of my wash as well as perhaps more neutral spirits. Does this seem reasonable or have others already tried this and had no sucess?? Is the column length too long or short for this? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks