double distill is a good idea, with the color thing i am unsure, in past experience it should be clear and refracts light.
IMHO you dont need to D-distill but the purer the better, Once you get familular with ur setup you can predict all that is going to happen and therefore collect the best fraction.
Did you discard your fore run, if not how much did you leave in, that may your problem.
also what oil did you use, as safrole comes from a variety of sources?