The Distillery Blew Up Around Us: Superheating During the Final Distillation – WOB Story Act 20

07 October 2026 | Videos

Sometimes a chapter ends very differently from the way you planned it. On 25 November 2019, after 31 years of distilling, Wolfram Ortner was carrying out what was intended to be his final distillation.

And then it happened: a sudden boiling event caused by superheating.

Fortunately, nobody was injured. But that final Aquavit distillation brought more than three decades of active distilling to a dramatic end.

In WOB Story Act 20, Wolfram Ortner explains what happened, how he describes the phenomenon and what has happened at WOB since then.

Sometimes a chapter ends very differently from the way you planned it. On 25 November 2019, after 31 years of distilling, Wolfram Ortner was carrying out what was intended to be his final distillation.

And then it happened: a sudden boiling event caused by superheating.

Fortunately, nobody was injured. But that final Aquavit distillation brought more than three decades of active distilling to a dramatic end.

In WOB Story Act 20, Wolfram Ortner explains what happened, how he describes the phenomenon and what has happened at WOB since then.

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FAQ - Häufig gestellte Fragen

Where can I see what is still available?

The current selection can be found in the WOB Shop

Which products are still available?

Depending on current stocks, products include apple distillates, Aquavit, KGB, gin, whisky, rum and various herbal distillates.

Can WOB spirits still be purchased?

Yes. Existing stocks continue to be bottled and sold while supplies last.

Does WOB still distil spirits?

No. Distilling stopped after the incident in 2019.

What is superheating during distillation?

In simplified terms, heat and vapour can build up instead of being released evenly and may then discharge suddenly. Wolfram Ortner compares it to thick foods such as risotto or mashed potatoes suddenly going “blop” when heated without stirring.

What happened during Wolfram Ortner's final distillation?

On 25 November 2019, a sudden boiling event occurred during his final Aquavit distillation after 31 years as a distiller. Fortunately, nobody was injured.

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