Category Archives: Distilling 101

What States Have The Highest Alcohol Excise Taxes? (Alcohol Taxes Explained!)

What is excise tax? Excise taxes, also commonly referred to as “sin taxes,” are taxes imposed on specific goods, services, and activities, on a wide variety of those involved in the supply chain, such as the manufacturer, retailer, or consumers. They largely depend on the specifics of the product, goods, services, activity, or location. An{…}

What is the Best Still for Home Distilling (The 8 Best Stills Reviewed)

Have you ever purchased alcohol from the bottle store, and thought to yourself, “I could do it better”? Well, you could do it right at home in fact! And it is not challenging at all. Whether you want to distill vodka, whiskey, gin, rum or even tequila at home or even essential oils at home,{…}

Is Brandy Gluten Free? (Explained!)

With a rise in health awareness in modern times, it’s no wonder people are curious about what is and isn’t gluten-free (regardless of whether they are celiac, sensitive, or just making better health decisions for themselves). Beer, of course, is off-limits to gluten-intolerant people. But what about spirits like brandy or Schnapps? Is Brandy Gluten-Free?{…}

Is Whiskey Gluten Free? (Explained!)

With a rise in health awareness in modern times, it’s no wonder people are curious about what is and isn’t gluten-free (regardless of whether they are celiac, sensitive, or just making better health decisions for themselves). Beer, of course, is off-limits to gluten-intolerant people. But what about spirits like Whiskey, Scotch, Bourbon, and Rye? Is{…}

How to Clean your Still – Guide to Maintaining Distillation Hardware

Whether you are making an alcoholic beverage or a luxurious essential oil at home, preparing perfect distillate calls for the right equipment and a good quality still. Having a clean still, that’s safe from all unwanted substances and residues is just as important as the actual process of distillation to make the perfect drink. Copper{…}

The 9 Best Books For Home Distillers (Read These!)

The hobby of home distilling is growing in popularity every year with the rise in popularity of boutique spirits and craft distilleries. Although it is illegal in many places to create and sell distilled spirits, it’s often not illegal to own moonshine-making equipmen and, in many regions, users can apply for a permit to produce{…}

Moonshine Explained: What is Moonshine and How to Make It

The term ‘moonshine” is not well understood and often misused when referring to homemade alcohol, or bad quality alcohol. In this article, we’re going to look into exactly what moonshine is, how it originated, and how you can make it at home. What is Moonshine? Moonshine is a slang term that traditionally refers to alcoholic{…}

How Long Does Gin Last? (And How To Tell If It’s Gone Bad)

As a general rule, a bottle of gin can last forever. The flavors will be best preserved if you keep the bottle sealed in a cool place and out of direct sunlight. Once opened, the flavors will change more rapidly due to oxidization, but the gin will still be safe to drink. If possible, keep{…}