Author Archives: Tristan

How To Make Whiskey (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Image of diy distilling how to make whiskey at home a step by step guide

Nothing oozes more pleasure than being able to craft your own whiskey. You can play around with different grains and techniques to produce a top-shelf drop you and your friends will be proud of.  But, making whiskey from scratch can seem complicated – especially if you’ve never dipped your toes in distilling alcohol.  This is{…}

When Should I Stop Running A Still? (Answered!)

When you’re new to the hobby of distilling there’s a lot of decisions to make and not much information out there that’s easy to find. I know for myself, that even this decision of when to stop running my still was baffling and I second guessed myself a lot. In this article we’re going to{…}

Why Is My Moonshine Cloudy? (How to Fix Cloudy Distillate)

Image of diy distilling troubleshooting why moonshine is cloudy

So, you’re finally done with your spirit run and can’t wait to get your hands (and mouth) on your homemade hooch.  Did your distillate came out of the condenser with a funny-looking color? Or did you dilute with water only for it to take on a milky complexion? Don’t be disheartened. This is a common{…}

What Is Louching? (How To Fix Cloudy Distillate)

Image of diy distilling what is louching

Most distillers will tell you that nothing screams satisfaction like a flavorful drink. But these aroma-filled oils can take a different turn and give you a cloudy distillate – an effect that arises from louching. Although this is a fascinating phenomenon to look at, not every distiller is fond of haze in their drinks. Louching{…}

How To Solder Distilling And Brewing Equipment (Guide)

Image of diy distilling how to solder distilling and brewing equipment 2

When done right, soldering can be an easy way of binding different metals that make up brewing and distilling equipment. Soldering not only makes it easier to join your still’s pieces, but it allows you the ease of reheating, detaching, and cleaning the pieces when the need arises. There are various solders in the market,{…}

What Is A Sour Mash (For Making Whiskey And Rum)?

Image of diy distilling what is a sour mash whiskey

Whether or not sour mashing creates a better-tasting drink is a controversial topic. While some distillers opt for the regular mash route because they believe it produces a cleaner and smoother final product, some still enjoy using a sour mash because it balances the pH of the wash and creates consistent flavors for every bottle{…}

How To Make Baijiu (A Step by Step Guide)

Making baijiu is an age-old tradition that’s deeply rooted in shaping Chinese culture. While a lot of people detest the taste of baijiu, there might be other spirit lovers who would love to craft their own bottle or two.  Hopefully, you’re one of those.  Luckily, you can make a good quality baijiu at home using{…}

Still Spirits Turbo Air Still Review (Is It Any Good?)

Image of diy distilling still spirits air still reivew our take

The Turbo Air Still by Still Spirits is an easy way for beginners to start making your own spirits at home. It’s simple to learn and operate and has no cooling water which makes it easy for anyone to run on their kitchen countertop. You can create many spirits with little knowledge or effort using{…}

How Long Is Gin Aged For (It’s Not What You Think)

Image of diy distilling how long is gin aged for its not what you think

Gin is a distilled spirit where botanicals are added to a neutral base sprit (think vodka) and then redistilled to create the final drink. Most of us are familiar with the taste, but aren’t as well versed in the manufacturing process, so how long is gin normally aged for? Unlike whiskey, rum, and tequila, gin{…}

The Best Yeast for Distilling Brandy, Schnapps and Pisco (Our 5 Top Picks!)

Image of diy distilling the best brandy yeast the best yeast for making schanpps brandy pisco and grapps

With more than 1500 varieties of yeast available to choose from, knowing the right type to use when making brandy, schnapps or any other fruit spirit can be confusing. And, because any type of yeast *can* be used, there is no bad or good option. It all depends on your taste, preference, and budget. However,{…}

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{...}