Alcohol distillation has always had a spiritual undercurrent to it, both for physiological reasons as well as its history and significance. The process itself can have its own sacred energy which adds depth and mystery. Distillation has long been practiced by early civilizations, from Chinese who were distilling beverages by 800 BC and Greek cult […]

Professional distillers rely on precise “cuts” during their runs to ensure only the finest components reach the final product; taking this approach at home could make the difference between success and failure of your batch run. Practice makes perfect when it comes to learning distillation cuts. For beginners, smaller collection jars (half pint jelly jars […]

Alcohol distillation has been practiced since antiquity to produce perfumes, essences and balms made from plants like cedar, cypress, ginger and myrrh. Originating in China or Mesopotamia around 2000 BC for medicinal or cosmetic use; later becoming widespread across Europe to create tinctures and medicines during medieval times. Alcohol distillation is a relatively straightforward process. […]

Fermentation, the first step in producing spirits, involves breaking down raw materials such as grain or fruit into sugars that yeast feeds upon, expelling alcohol as a by-product. Distillation separates alcohol from everything else through physical means – alcohol boils at lower temperatures (175o F compared with 212o F for water) which allows distillers to […]

Distillation involves heat transfer between heated fermented beverages such as washes and stills to create steam of alcohol molecules – this is because ethanol (the main component in alcohol) boils at lower temperatures than water (212o F). As this vapor rises through a still’s swan neck or lyne arm and condenses with its condenser, more […]