Pronunciation: [lˈə͡ʊwa͡ɪnz] (IPA) 
"Lowwines" is a word that refers to a weak spirit. The spelling of the word seems unusual with the double "w," but it can be explained by the IPA phonetic transcription: /ˈloʊwaɪnz/. The first "w" sound comes from the long "o" sound, as in "low," while the second "w" is a result of the "oi" sound, which is equivalent to "oy" in "boy." Therefore, the spelling of "lowwines" accurately represents its pronunciation.
Lowwines refers to a term used in distillation and refers to the initial distillate obtained from the first step of the distillation process, typically produced in a pot still. It contains a mixture of alcohol and water in varying proportions, as well as various impurities from the fermented material being distilled.
Lowwines are obtained after the initial heating of the fermented substance, known as the wash or beer, in the pot still. As the heat is applied, the volatile components like alcohol vaporize first. These vapors are then condensed and collected, resulting in lowwines. The lowwines have a lower alcohol content and are less refined than the final distillate.
The term "lowwines" is often used in the context of producing spirits such as whisky and brandy. After the lowwines are collected, they can be further distilled to obtain a more concentrated and refined spirit. This second phase of distillation is crucial for obtaining the desired flavor profile and alcohol content in the final product.
Lowwines can also refer to the liquid produced during the rectification process, which involves further distillation and purification of the initial distillate. In this context, lowwines are the intermediate product obtained during the rectification process.
Overall, lowwines represent the initial distillate obtained in the distillation process, containing a mixture of alcohol, water, and impurities. They serve as a starting point for the production of various spirits, needing further refinement to achieve the desired qualities in the final product.
The word "lowwines" has an interesting etymology. It is derived from two Old English words: "lowe" meaning "flame" or "fire", and "wines" meaning "wine" or "drink".
Originally, "lowwines" referred to the distilled spirit produced during the first distillation of a batch of beer. This early distillation process was known as "low-wine distillation". The name "lowwines" reflects the combination of the heating or "lowe" used in distillation and the alcoholic nature of the resulting product.
Over time, the term "lowwines" became associated specifically with the highly volatile and strong-smelling distillate obtained from the first distillation. It was often used as a base for further distillation, rectification, or botanical infusion to produce different types of spirits, such as gin.
