Number of bubble plates...does it matter

[Stimson]

It appears most build a 4 plated bubbler.
Does it matter how many plates you use for making rum or whisky for optimum flavour?
Is there an upper limit, say 5 or 6 plates or a lower limit say 3 that works?
Is it that 4 is the ideal number.

[ohyeahyeah]

I think you will find "optimum" flavour is going to be a debateable point given taste differences. There are many different styles of whisk(e)y and rum and each may be distilled to different percentages. Even within particular styles whiskey will be distilled to different proofs. If you look at bourbon for instance Jim Beam produces high wines at 135 proof in a two stage distillation and then proofs and barrels for aging. Woodford reserve on the other hand uses a three stage distillation by distilling their high wines to produce what they call "new make" which comes off the still at a 158 proof. If you do a taste comparison its hard to recognize them as the same style of drink.
"

If you do your research you will note OD(the originator of the magic flute) has built a two plate version with good results. I couldnt find the build thread but here is a thread about the still.
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... lit=stumpy

If you check out Carl Stills artisian modern pot stills(the still design the flute is based on)you see they are available with rectifying columns of 20 plates or more. Anything that big would be impractical to the home distiller due to height and heat required to run it.

Its seems things are trending now towards modular builds where different combinatons of plates/packing can be assembled to tune for specific results.

I have no idea why OD decided to go with 4 plates in his original build but i think its fair to say that 4 plates is most common because he did.

[blind drunk]

It appears most build a 4 plated bubbler.
Does it matter how many plates you use for making rum or whisky for optimum flavour?
Is there an upper limit, say 5 or 6 plates or a lower limit say 3 that works?
Is it that 4 is the ideal number.

He's got an answer -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... hAY#t=232s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Stimson]

It appears most build a 4 plated bubbler.
Does it matter how many plates you use for making rum or whisky for optimum flavour?
Is there an upper limit, say 5 or 6 plates or a lower limit say 3 that works?
Is it that 4 is the ideal number.

He's got an answer -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... hAY#t=232s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Thanks for that