What process is used to concentrate alcohol by boiling and condensing the resulting vapors?

The process used to concentrate alcohol by boiling and condensing the resulting vapors is known as distillation. This technique capitalizes on the different boiling points of substances in a mixture. When a liquid is heated, the component with the lower boiling point vaporizes first. The vapors then rise, often passing through a cooling system where they condense back into liquid form. The result is a distilled liquid that contains a higher concentration of alcohol compared to the original mixture.

In the context of bourbon and other spirits, distillation is crucial for achieving the desired alcohol content and flavor profile. It allows distillers to separate alcohol from the fermented mash, enhancing the purity and potency of the final product. Other processes listed, such as fermentation, focus on the conversion of sugars to alcohol, while filtration is typically used for clarifying liquids by removing particulates, and separation can refer to various methods for dividing mixtures but does not specifically address the concentration of alcohol through boiling and condensation.