Category Archives: Distilling 101

How Much Methanol Is There In Whiskey? (And Other Alcoholic Drinks)

Image of diy distilling how much methanol in whiskey and other alcoholic drinks

In this article, we’re going to look at how much methanol there is in Whiskey and other standard alcoholic drinks.  All fermentation will result in a small amount of methanol being produced, which can be carried through to the final product, and concentrated through distillation. Fermentations of ingredients with a high level of pectin, such{…}

How To Make Tequila At Home (A Step-By-Step Guide)

Image of diy distilling how to make tequila at home

Tequila is more than simply a shot. Tequila is the culmination of hard work, expertise, tradition, and science to create a masterpiece of a drink.  The tequila-making process is thousands of years old, and an exquisite technique that has stayed relatively consistent over the years. Tequila as we know it now was first produced in{…}

Which Alcohol Is Least Harmful To Your Liver?

Image of diy distilling which alcohol is the least harmful for your liver

Alcohol is well known for not being particularly good for you.. and most people understand that alcohol causes liver damage. But what is the science behind this? How does alcohol affect the liver? Is the damage permanent?  In this article, we’re going to take a look at different types of alcohol such as wine, beer cider,{…}

Can Tequila Be Made Outside Of Mexico? (What Are The Rules?)

Image of diy distilling can tequila be made outside of mexico or in the usa

Can tequila be made outside of Mexico? Yes, but it is illegal to call it Tequila, and it will probably not taste the same.  Tequila may only be named tequila if it is manufactured from 100% Blue Weber agave and produced in the Mexican states of Jalisco and Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. Anything manufactured with{…}

Distilling Terms and Jargon Explained (Learn These!)

Image of diy distilling a distillers glossary of terms

If you are new to the world of distillation, you may have noticed a bunch of distilling terms and terminology being thrown around that you are unfamiliar with. Distilling, like many other industries, has its own jargon and special terms, and no one ever explains these to you at the beginning! In this article, we{…}

Why You Need Copper in Your Distillery (Copper vs. Stainless Steel)

Image of diy distilling do i need copper of stainless steel in my distillation column

Why you need copper in your distillery (Copper vs. Stainless Steel) is a simple question to answer. While it may look a little old-fashioned, copper is a necessary and integral part of the distilling process. To understand why that is, let’s look at the process of making alcohol. It uses evaporation and condensation to distill a{…}

What Is The Best Grain For Making Whiskey? (Whiskey Explained!)

Image of diy distilling the best grains for making and distilling your own whiskey

Whiskey is defined as a distilled drink made from the fermentation of malt.  But do you know the difference is between a Blended Scotch Whisky and a Single Malt Scotch? Curious what makes a Tennessee whiskey, different from a bourbon, or a rye? It all comes down to the grains. In this article, we’re going to talk{…}

How To Select The Right Heat Source For Your Distillation Column (Explained!)

Image of diy distilling the best heating element for your distillation column

The purpose of the distillation process, in the production of alcohol, is to purify the liquid in the distillation column. This is achieved by heating and vaporizing the liquid. When the vapor recondenses into liquid, it is collected. This liquid is considered to be more pure than the original liquid as many of the impurities{…}

Why Does Gin Give Me A Headache?

Image of diy distilling why does gin give me a headache

Whether you prefer a gin and tonic, a slow gin fizz, or Bombay Sapphire on the rocks, gin lovers everywhere may sometimes wonder why gin gives them a headache? Gin is a liquor that boasts a 40 percent alcohol volume, which means it is 80 proof and strong. It is derived from grain distillation along{…}

Why Is My Gin Cloudy? (Gin Louching Explained)

Louching is when your spirit turns a cloudy milky white color, instead of a nice clear spirit. In this article, we’re going to tackle what causes louching, and what you can do to fix it! Why is my gin cloudy? Gin goes cloudy due to a phenomenon known as louching. This is where the alcohol{…}

A Distillers’ Guide To Excise Duty (Excise Tax Considerations)

From the Author: This article has been written as a necessity given the variety of{...}

Old Tom Gin Recipe (Sweetened Gin!)

Old Tom gin is a style of gin that was popular in the 18th and{...}

The Best Whiskey Stones In 2023 (3 Types To Choose From)

The key attraction of whiskey stones is they can provide the same cooling effect of{...}

Grandma’s Floral Gin Recipe

This recipe is inspired by the perfumy, floral gin flavors popular in the 1940s and{...}

Macerated Gin Recipe (Try This!)

Maceration is a process of infusing the botanicals in a neutral spirit and allowing the{...}

Easy Bathtub Gin Recipe (No Distillation Required!)

Bathtub gin refers to an alcohol-based drink mixture produced at home in the 1920s or{...}