What is the specific purpose of using a still in distillation?

The use of a still in distillation is primarily focused on the separation of volatile compounds from a mixture. During distillation, a liquid mixture is heated to create vapor, which contains the more volatile components. As the vapor is cooled and condensed back into liquid form, the process effectively isolates these volatile compounds, allowing for the collection of purified spirits or essential oils. This separation is fundamental in producing high-proof spirits, where the desired flavors and aromas are concentrated while less volatile components or impurities are left behind.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary role of a still in distillation. For example, fermentation occurs prior to distillation and involves converting sugars into alcohol, which is a completely separate process. Enhancing flavor is a secondary result of distillation, as the focus is on separating specific compounds rather than directly enhancing flavors. Lastly, the creation of carbonation is unrelated to distillation, which is a process that specifically deals with the transformation of liquids into vapor and back, rather than introducing bubbles or fizz into a beverage.