Distillate is a highly refined cannabis oil. It is made by taking a crude extract and running it through a distillation process that separates compounds by their boiling points. The result is a clear, thick, honey-like oil that is mostly THC (or CBD, depending on the starting material), often testing at 80-95% or more.
Distillation strips away most of the plant's natural terpenes and other minor compounds, so distillate on its own has little taste or smell. Many products add terpenes back for flavor. Those terpenes can come from cannabis or from other plants, and labels sometimes say "cannabis-derived terpenes" or "botanical terpenes."
Because it is already decarboxylated, distillate is active without extra heat, which makes it easy to use in edibles, tinctures and topicals. It is also the most common filling for vape carts and is used in many infused pre-rolls.
The trade-off is that distillate lacks the full flavor and terpene profile of live resin or rosin. Some people do not mind; others prefer full-spectrum options.
Distillate is strong. In a cart or edible, check the mg or % on the label and the COA, and start small.