Distilling Cuts Calculator
Estimate foreshots, heads, hearts and tails from a still charge for educational distillation planning, with dilution math and legal caveats.
Use 0 for grain, fruit or unknown wash data
Pure Alcohol Base
Current estimate: 1,350 mL pure alcohol.
sugar-based mode
Constants: 50 mL/kg sugar (300 mL); 8% of pure alcohol (108 mL).
Estimated Cuts
Heads
300 mL
Early fraction
Hearts
1,543 mL
Model average ~70%
Tails
648 mL
Late fraction
These cut volumes are rough planning estimates. Actual cuts require sensory evaluation, small collection jars and applicable legal controls.
Water to Add
1,157 mL
Final Volume
2,700 mL
40% ABV
This estimate ignores molecular contraction and temperature correction. For a focused proofing calculation, use the alcohol dilution calculator.
Model Limits
This is not a safety, legal or production validation tool.
Distilling alcohol can be illegal without proper permits, and methanol or other contaminants cannot be controlled by a calculator. Use this only as an educational estimate.
Estimate distilling cuts
English results for this intent focus on distilling cuts: foreshots, heads, hearts and tails. This page estimates rough planning volumes from charge volume, charge ABV, sugar amount and a target hearts dilution.
A - pure alcohol estimate, Vcharge - charge volume, ABVcharge - charge strength.
How fractions are modeled
| Fraction | Calculator estimate | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Foreshots | Discussed as the earliest discard fraction | Never treat a volume estimate as safety proof |
| Heads | 50 mL per kg sugar or an 8% pure-alcohol reference | Composition varies with wash, equipment and run behavior |
| Hearts | Modeled as the main middle fraction at an average strength | Real hearts cuts depend on sensory evaluation |
| Tails | Modeled as the late remainder | No calculator can define a clean chemical boundary |
The tool intentionally avoids promising drinkability. It is a planning aid for understanding volumes and terminology, not a substitute for lab testing or professional process control.
US legal and health caveats
- TTB guidance states that federal law prohibits producing distilled spirits at home outside a qualified distilled spirits plant.
- e-CFR 27 CFR 19.51 states that a person may not produce distilled spirits at home for personal use except as otherwise provided by law.
- Methanol and other contaminants cannot be controlled by volume math alone.
- Alcohol use carries health risks even when a product is legally produced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources and References
- Distillation Cuts CalculatorDistilCalc
- Home DistillingTTB
- Home production of distilled spirits prohibitede-CFR / Cornell LII
- Methanol emergency response cardCDC/NIOSH
- Alcohol Use and Your HealthCDC
Calculations are based on the listed reference sources. Links open in a new tab.
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