You have to ferment the mash at the right temperature, about 100 degrees, too hot will kill the yeast. Teens in Florida used to make applejack or everclear. Apple jack was easy. Buy a gallon jug of apple juice or cider, add some extra sugar to give it more kick, add some yeast from the store normally used for bread making. Cap it with a heavy duty balloon with a pin ***** in it. Put it on top of the hot water heater. As the carbon dioxide gas is produced it will make the balloon inflate a bit and stand up. When the balloon is no longer up, the process is finished. You can leave it as is, or strain it then and refrigerate and use it like a wine. If you want it stronger put in the freezer and later pour out the liquid through a hanky or piece of bedsheet leaving the water slush behind. The liquid will be high in alcohol content, called applejack.
If you want to distill a mixture of water and alcohol, remember the alcohol distills out first at a lower temperature, then the water. If you live in a northern clime, use the winter temps on the condensor or cooling line.