Influence of different pre-distillation steps on aromatic profile of plum spirits produced by traditional and modified methods

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare aromatic profile of plum spirits, obtained from Požegača and Stanley varieties, as affected by different combinations of pre-distillation steps used in traditional and six modified production methods that are common in Serbian distilleries. Traditional plum spirits (produced from spontaneously fermented mashes of crushed plums with stones distilled after two-month storage) had the highest contents of ethyl acetate, benzaldehyde and total acids, which resulted in the occurrence of unpleasant solvent-like and stone-like odour and acidic taste. These sensory defects were overcome by distillation of fermented mashes immediately after completion of alcoholic fermentation. Depending on the combination of the pre-distillation steps, plum spirits from mashes distilled immediately after alcoholic fermentation were characterized by different aromatic profiles: closer to traditional (from a spontaneously fermented crushed plums with/without stones) or with more pronounced fruity character (from pulped plums without stones regardless of the way of fermentation). These differences in aroma profiles have arisen mostly because of the significantly different contents and OAVs of ethyl esters and volatile fatty acids. The appropriate combination of pre-distillation steps, which is adapted to the variety, can significantly improve the quality of plum spirit compared to the traditionally produced spirit.