sam_and_liv wrote:That only leaves one question :?:
What are the variables? :ugeek:
You can use a thermometer on a potstill to find the abv. The variables are the placement and performance of that thermo and the differences in how much inherent reflux your potstill produces.
It can also vary from one run to the next depending on how far you've inserted said instrument etc.
Once you have it up and running you can take a reading of the thermometer and compare it to a chart laying out temp/abv and applying the variation you have arrived at for your still. It'll work ;)
Or in the case of a parrot you can just look at it and know.
Two ways to do the same thing, both have drawbacks, but almost everyone decides that a parrot is a better way to do it.