In which part of the distillation process does the "heart" come from?

The "heart" of the distillation process refers to the fraction of the distillate that contains the desired alcohol and flavor compounds after the initial separation of the heads and tails. During distillation, the process involves heating the fermented mash and collecting the vapor that rises. The vapor is then condensed back into liquid form.

The heart is collected during the middle phase of distillation when the temperature is optimal for capturing the ethanol and desirable volatile compounds while minimizing undesirable substances. It is the portion of the distillate that is most suitable for aging or bottling, as it has the best balance of flavor, aroma, and alcohol content.

The heads consist of lighter, more volatile compounds that may include unwanted substances, which are often separated out initially. The tails, on the other hand, contain heavier compounds that occur at the end of the distillation process and can also include undesirable flavors. The term "final cut" is not typically used in traditional distillation nomenclature but generally refers to the decision-making process about when to stop collecting distillate, which does not specifically refer to the heart itself. Therefore, the heart is indeed the correct answer, as it specifically denotes the desired distillation product collected between the heads and tails.