Well i have done a comparison of brandy. I had equal measurements of brandy 30ml at the same ABV%. One brandy was made using a pot still and the other with a 4 plate bubbler.
Potstill:
Smell: This was clearly fuller on the nose, some pleasant and others not so. It carried over more aroma from the original wash which was nice but also had a more lingering smell that i can pin point but didn't like very much. It smelt a little like tails but i thought i made quite conservative/modest cuts considering i have a lot of it.
Taste: It was also a lot thicker in the mouth. My Dad i think nailed it when he said it had a soapy feel. Rather than a cleansing finish on the palate it seem to linger and coat the mouth which i found very unpleasant. I have had some of this stuff on oak for a few months now and the thick mouth feel is still present
Bubbler:
Smell: The nose if much more subtle with this spirit. As first it almost seem neutral but after a more analytical smell it has some very nice, clean aromas. Not a smack in the face as i got from the product out of the pot still. I am smelling and writing at the same time and it's getting better, very crispy and subtle smells
Taste: Instantly i notice a difference in the mouth feel. Very crisp and cleansing. The liquor falls away from the tongue quicker and cleaner leaving a fresh feel in the mouth as opposed to the potstill. Much more enjoyable to drink.
Result: Everything is down to personal preference and i am really keen to run a similar taste testing with other people. My family are wine drinkers and although wont admit it, they have quite reasonable palates.
At first i was a little disappointed with the nose on the bubbler brandy. I could almost not detect any but now i realise it is far more subtle than the pot still version. Now after playing around with them for sometime i find the pot still version very over powering and while having a more full smell, they are not all entirely pleasant.
The main kicker for me is the cleansing feel i have mentioned. Same in a fine whiskey. The liqour hits the sides of my tongue, makes an impression and then dissipates very quickly, almost evaporates leaving your mouth to chase the delicious flavours. My potstill brandy lingers too long and becomes unpleasant making quick succession sips very difficult.
Note: I am but no means a master cutter. I have been working at this game for only a few years so i suspect someone could have made better cuts on my potstill brandy and produced a nicer, cleaner product. But having only done 2 previous runs on my bubbler, i am very happy with this product and already have some on oak to compare at a later date with some of my potstill brandy on oak.
Cheers