A difference between production practices does not by itself show that a physical constraint required the difference.
Choices still operate within physical constraints; a historical counterexample does not quantify the independent effect of water.
A producer may choose a setting to meet a desired style or commercial purpose. Record the proposed constraint, the choice and the intended outcome separately before assigning causation.
Idea
A difference between production practices does not by itself show that a physical constraint required the difference.
A producer may choose a setting to meet a desired style or commercial purpose. Record the proposed constraint, the choice and the intended outcome separately before assigning causation.
Source and interpretation
Nettleton questions an explanation of collection strength based on moss water by pointing to contrary practices and commercial purposes. This is a historical argument to examine, not a controlled demonstration that water has no effect. In a modern comparison, seek matched conditions and evidence distinguishing a necessary constraint from a chosen operating target.
Limits
Choices still operate within physical constraints; a historical counterexample does not quantify the independent effect of water.
Connections
Whole-volume extension
Nettleton's yeast/spirit comparisons (physical PDF289–342) and contrasting rum appendix (659–661) reinforce the need to specify the desired product and co-products before explaining a process choice. The directory's all-malt patent-still example (649–653) also separates feedstock from apparatus. These historical cases motivate comparison; they do not measure a modern causal effect.