If you’re anything like me, the further you get into the distilling hobby, the more you whish you had a degree in chemical engineering.. When people start talking ‘Azeotropes’, ‘temperature gradients’, and ‘equilibirum points’.. its clear that temperature plays a crucial role in the distilling process – but what does this all mean!? In this{…}
Author Archives: Tristan
Corn is the basis for the production of whiskey and moonshine. It has a starch content necessary for fermentation, and when combined with a decent enzyme, it can create the desired ABV. But not all corn is created equal. Some varieties, like corn flour, have a low starch content and are only suited to making{…}
Genever, commonly referred to as Dutch Gin, has been enjoyed for centuries in Holland. It’s a malt-based spirit blended with unique herbs and spices like juniper berries, coriander, cloves, and licorice – making it botanical-rich. The traditional version is typically unaged, but modern variations – young genever, tend to be aged in oak casks. Not{…}
Infused and cold compound gin can get monotonous over time. Yes, they introduce fantastic flavor to your spirit. But there comes a time when you yearn for smooth and light alcohol. Luckily, you can achieve that with a gin basket. A gin basket extracts botanical flavors through a vapor infusion method. It’s placed in the{…}
There are a plethora of devices and techniques you can use to create a superbly flavored drink. These include a gin basket, maceration, and infusion. But one technique that isn’t always talked about is the use of a soxhlet extractor. The device has been used by chemists since its discovery in 1879. It’s renowned because{…}
There are various ways to purify water. From distilling, deionizing, and reverse osmosis. Most of these methods treat the water you use at home. Distilling water is a common technique used commercially and it can be replicated at home. Distilled water is water that’s steamed, condensed, and collected in sterile jars. This ensures an excellent level{…}
Flooding is frustration – throwing your still out of equilibrium and often ruining your product.. But, the good news is that you can fix it mid-distillation or prevent it from happening in the future. Flooding still is often a result of a higher than normal reflux rate. It could also mean there’s a high feed{…}
As a new distiller, one of the most dampening feelings is winding up with a puking still. Even more so, when you’ve excitedly set up your still and have it running and had it run for the whole run. So, what exactly caused it to boil over? A few common causes of a still boilover are increased heat,{…}
If you’ve experienced a puking still and are looking for a surefire way to prevent it, you’ve come to the right place. There are a lot of anti-foaming agents on the market, but we’ve included the ones we’ve found to effectively work best for extra starchy washes like all grain, potato, and molasses-based. They include both commercial{…}
Sugar washes are one of the first recipes that the beginner distiller will learn. They’re cheap, easy, and produce a high-ABV wash ready for distilling. If you’re making vodka or gin, most people will start with a sugar wash. A sugar wash comprises sugar, water, yeast, and nutrients. It makes a decent neutral spirit that{…}
How to Make Pitorro At Home (Step-by-Step Guide)
Pitorro is a popular Puerto Rican drink, especially during special occasions. It follows the same{...}
The Best Still For Making Whiskey (In 2024)
With so many whiskey-making stills on the market, choosing one that will cater to your{...}
The Best Still For Making Vodka (In 2024)
I make a lot of gin, and to make gin you need vodka first. Over{...}
The Best Thermometer For Distilling (In 2024)
One aspect that allows us to create high-quality spirits hinges on having a reliable and{...}
How To Cut Heads and Tails When Making Gin
One question we get asked a lot in the Facebook group and our Ask an{...}
A Distillers’ Guide To Excise Duty (Excise Tax Considerations)
From the Author: This article has been written as a necessity given the variety of{...}