What does the term 'heart of a distillation run' refer to?

The term 'heart of a distillation run' refers to the portion of the distillate that is considered to have the best quality. During the distillation process, the liquid is heated to separate its components based on boiling points. The distillation process results in several fractions: the initial distillate collected is often referred to as the "heads," which contains undesirable compounds; the "heart" is the fraction that contains the desirable flavors and aromas; and the "tails," which consist of heavier compounds that are typically less desirable.

The heart is what distillers aim to capture because it represents the essence of the spirit being produced, containing the best balance of alcohol and flavor compounds. This portion is what will ultimately be used for bottling and sale, making it crucial for the distillation process's success. Other choices represent parts of the distillation process but do not define the term 'heart' in the context of quality spirits production.