Definition: Coulée

The distillation process produces a run, with an alcohol content that varies depending on the still. Continuous stills regularly produce alcohol between 52° and 70°. The others first produce heads, rich in volatile esters, which are not kept; then, from 72°, the heart is produced, which contains the best of the alcohol's aromas; distillation is interrupted at around 50° to avoid the tails, which are loaded with fusel oils that would spoil the fruit of the distillation.