Whiskey Bottling – The Distiller’s Final Phase

While the individual whiskey hobbyist may not have the need to mature or even bottle their spirit (if they decide to use a cheap whiskey still kit to brew their spirits), it does make sense for anyone interested in this field to learn a little more about how distillers proceed with bottling. Fortunately for us, the whiskey industry has evolved far past the early days of patrons purchasing whiskey directly from the distillery. Indeed, the inconvenience of traveling to the local distillery in order to fill up a container would be tremendous. Instead, the modern practice of bottling liquor in specialty glass bottles has taken over completely and we are able to acquire our spirits in a more convenient way (unless you decide to buy whiskey still kit, which would make things even more convenient). While a number of single malt whiskies continue to be sold in actual casks, whiskey is usually bottled once the pre-determined aging period within the barrels has concluded.

However, to ensure that distillers are getting the most from their investment, careful consideration is made to determine the most efficient bottling to be extracted from each cask. Depending upon the size of the cask itself, on average, a 200 liter bourbon barrel which has been filled with liquor at approximate alcohol strength of 63% will likely retain roughly 175 liters of whiskey after 12 years of storage. Additionally, while the percentage of alcohol within the liquor began at 63%, it will have likely dropped to somewhere in the range of 50-60% upon the conclusion of its 12 year aging run. Thus, if you buy whiskey still kit and look to age your whiskey in a cask, don’t forget about the changes which you may see in the alcohol proof. Once the whiskey is finally diluted to roughly 42% right before bottling, distillers will likely see around 250 bottles comprising 70cl produced from their original 200 liter cask. In order to discourage the usage of too many different bottle sizes, a standard was established for the industry in 1993 at 70cl (though many distillers will also produce 1 liter bottles and/or small 5cl bottles). If the price of each 70cl bottle was to be set at 50 Euros, then what you would be looking at for an average 12 year old cask of single malt scotch whiskey would be in the range of 10,000 Euros (of course, if you’re just an independent hobbyist with a cheap whiskey still kit, then you may not have to worry about bottling a 200 liter cask).

However, before deciding to age the whiskey for any length of time, one thing to consider is that different varieties of whiskey ultimately attain their peak flavor at a variety of age lengths (even if you buy whiskey still kit and a small cask). While there are a number of other factors which play a role in the maturation process, financial issues for distillers must also be taken into account when deciding to bottle whiskey. Chief among these issues is the cost involved in the actual bottling (which includes taxes), transportation, demand (upon bottling), and a variety of other influences which could easily cause the price point for a cask of whiskey to go up or down. Of course, those who manage to secure a cheap whiskey still kit, along with a low price barrel, will be much more likely to see a better line in their profit margins.

In any case, for the duration of time during which the whiskey is bonded within the cask, taxes do not need to be paid. It is only when the actual bottling occurs that any taxes are applied to the whiskey at all. It’s also at this stage that distillers need to worry about distribution costs and the amount of money which will be put into marketing the product. All told, the decision to take a whiskey out of the cask and get it into the open market isn’t one that distillers will take lightly; it can be a costly venture and the distiller must be sure that he/she will exact the right profits from its ultimate sale. If you decide to venture into this world and someday form your own small distillery, there is nothing wrong with trying to buy whiskey still kit that makes the most sense financially. While you don’t want to sacrifice quality for cost, there is no substitute for prudent financial decisions (such as finding a cheap whiskey still kit) which will not be detrimental to your spirit’s taste.

Single Malt Whisky Production

The foundation of any single malt Scotch whisky has always been barley. When Scotch was first produced, distilleries would often grow their own fields of barley, or bought it from nearby farms where it was grown. However, as the years have passed, the reliance on locally grown barley has greatly diminished and this special ingredient has become increasingly purchased in bulk and, in certain instances, even imported from overseas farms.

While you may have difficulty in trying to find a cheap whiskey still kit which includes high quality barley from Scotland, rest assured that there are a variety of barley types which will be more than adequate in your single malt whisky production.

However, the difference in barley varieties and methods used to grow this special crop is an important component of the entire single malt production process.  Putting together a fantastic whiskey still kit and using barley that is subpar will of course yield a product which you won't be offering at your next cigar party.  Indeed, just as several grape varieties are used in wine production, a number of barley varieties can be utilized in the distillation of single malt whisky.  For instance, a variety known as "golden promise" has established a strong reputation, but several Scottish distillers have also successful experimented with varieties such as "optic" and "chariot."  While any variety of barley can be used to produce malt whisky, there can never be any other type of grain involved in the production process.  So if you're looking to buy whiskey still kit which includes mashes made from ingredients like maize, buckwheat, rye, you won't be producing single malt whiskey. Instead, there should only be one special ingredient added to the barley: water.

As part of the malting process, barley is soaked in water for 2 or 3 days, then spread out in order to foster germination. While the barley is germinating (a process which usually lasts approximately one week), enzymes are actively working to convert the starch within the barley into soluble sugars; these sugars will eventually be converted into alcohol as part of the distillation process. The barley is monitored until the green malt begins to sprout; when this occurs, the barley is dried in a kiln in order to halt the germination process.  While drying the sprouting barley can be achieved in a variety of ways, an older and quite popular method involved the use of peat.  Indeed, Islay malts would often derive a distinctly peaty character from the reek, also known as peat smoke, generated from the peat fumes. When you buy whiskey still kit, you may not have to endure the process of germination or have to work with a kiln to create the malt; however, it is important to understand the inner workings of this production to ensure that you are careful in acquiring high quality ingredients and tools.

Once the malt has been dried, it is then placed in the malt mill, which is a device used to grind the dried malt into a substance called "grist;" this is in preparation for a vital step in the process: the creation of the "mash." Once production reaches the mashing stage, hot water is then added to the "grist" in a large vessel called a "mash tun," (not something you'll find in an ordinary, cheap whiskey still kit) wherein the starch within the substance is further refined into fermentable sugars.  Interestingly enough, mash tuns can be made of different components like wood, or even be substituted altogether with a stainless steel apparatus known as a "washback" (which will be the subject of a future article). Because of the importance of mash tuns and/or washbacks, which will likely come if you buy whiskey still kit that comes as a premium package, this step cannot be overlooked and its importance cannot be diminished.  The product of this phase, our mash, will lead directly to the most interesting part of the process: distillation in our pot stills!

The liquid that's drained off as a result of time spent in the mash tun is known as the "wort."  This liquid will pass through the fermentation process where its sugars are then converted into alcohol by the addition of yeast (never settle for a cheap whiskey still kit when preparing for the fermentation process: the results will speak for themselves).

Several varieties of yeast are used in a multitude of combinations to influence both the 'yield' and the quality of the final product. Regardless of the yeast chosen, the fermentation of the wort within our moonshine stills will eventually provide us with the highly coveted single malt whisky.  However, the single malt process isn't entirely complete.  The subsequent steps in this process will be the focus of our next article.

Single Malt Whisky Production – Part 2

In the realm of single malt whisky production, careful and meticulous work in the malt preparation and the distillation processes are of the utmost importance.  However, with the distillation process, the whisky hobbyist has the opportunity to finally watch his/her brand new copper pot still in action.  Indeed, after going out and buying that designer moonshine still for sale which you had been coveting, there isn’t any greater satisfaction than finally watching it in action.  Observing the device’s work as it slowly ferments your whisky is a sight that will bring any whisky enthusiast a unique kind of joy; you’re witnessing the creation of your favorite beverage – what’s not to be excited about?

If you go looking to buy moonshine stills for sale at various websites or hobby stores, you should always remember that the distillation process of the wash has an important purpose: increasing the alcohol percentage of the distilled beverage (measured in volume), which is also known as the ABV.  Keep in mind that the achievement of a high alcohol percentage in any drink isn’t something that just occurs on its own in nature.  While fermented drinks have been around for a long time, like beer with the ancient Egyptians and wine with the ancient Romans, they only came into being through natural fermentation processes.  Because of the enormous difficulty in reaching an alcohol percentage of over 15% by natural fermentation, another method had to be developed for this purpose.   That is how the process of distillation came into being – and it is the reason why whisky was ever conceived; indeed, that is why you had the chance to go out and buy moonshine stills for sale in the first place.

When discussing Scotch malt whisky, it is important to buy moonshine stills for sale which are classified as pot stills; these stills must be utilized in the distillation process.  However, what is often forgotten is that there are two different types of pot stills used at two particular stages of this process (multiple distillations are usually preferred for the creation of whisky).  The first distillation is carried out in a wash still, which is usually a bit larger than the spirit still used in the second distillation run (remember this difference when you decide to buy moonshine stills for sale). Additionally, the designer moonshine still for sale which you select should be constructed out of copper, as this material has good malleability and heat conduction properties, as well as having exceptional catalytic properties and the ability to neutralize sulphur and other less appealing compounds. Without a doubt, one of the most common and regrettable complaints among whisky enthusiasts has been their decision to buy moonshine stills for sale which were not constructed out of copper.

Whiskey Still

 While the two stills in the distillation process are very similar (regardless of the designer moonshine still for sale which you selected), they produce two very unique products which comprise the distillation process as a whole.  The initial distillation run in the wash still produces a spirit called the low wine, which contains an alcohol percentage in the range of 20%. However, even after this first distillation, the low wine will still contain a great deal of impurities and have unfavorable characteristics (taste, smell, etc.).  Because of this concoction’s poor state after the first distillation run, a second distillation must occur in a slightly smaller still known as the spirit still. While most Scotch malt whisky is distilled twice, it should be noted that some distilleries also incorporate a third distillation run in order to further refine their whiskies. This is an option which is certainly available to the whisky hobbyist who decided to go out and buy their own designer moonshine still for sale.  Indeed, even a fourth distillation is possible.

Whenever the distillation of malt whisky in pot stills is used, the whisky enthusiast should remember that this is a batch process, meaning that in each particular distillation run the distillate is divided into three specific cuts.  They are the head, the heart of the run, and the tail.   The head is the first distilled liquid that rolls down the swan neck of the still, the heart of the run is the liquid which will eventually comprise the spirit we will enjoy, and the tail is the last portion of the liquid which contains a significantly low alcohol percentage.  The head and tail, therefore, are not to be consumed and should instead be incorporated into the next batch of low wines being distilled.  The heart of the run, however, is usually a clear liquid comprising approximately 70% alcohol and notably lacking the undesirable qualities of the first distillation run. 

Most distilleries will then place this liquid into barrels (also known as casks), which are then stored in special facilities to allow for the aging process to work its magic upon the sprit inside.  After a set number of years have passed, distillers will then open the casks and bottle the liquid for the enjoyment of the consumer.  However, even if you don’t utilize the aging process for your spirit, you can still enjoy the clear, robust liquid which you have created in the designer moonshine still for sale which you acquired for this specific purpose.  This concoction is safe and, if produced the right way and using good tools (depending, of course, on if you decided to buy moonshine stills for sale made of high quality copper), should be very pleasing to the palate.

Malt Whisky and You - Part 1

If you wish to produce a superior malt whisky and enjoy this liquor’s unique taste, then there are several components in whisky production which should be learned and followed. There is no mistaking the need for the utilization of superior quality moonshine stills in the production of any type of whisky, whether it be malt or grain whisky. However, making sure to buy moonshine stills of the highest quality is only the beginning. While the creation of malt whisky itself isn’t difficult to grasp for the standard whisky hobbyist, the production of this specific product must meet particular requirements to ensure that it achieves the status of a true single malt whisky. 

 

Most bottles of whisky which sell at liquor stores are not labeled as “single malt” whiskies; instead, most of them can be classified as blended whisky. In order to create blended whisky, confectioners usually combine roughly 2/3 grain whiskies with about 1/3 malt whiskies from, potentially, several different distilleries using superior quality moonshine stills. Indeed, there can be as many as fifty different single malt and grain whiskies within each finished blend. In mixing these liquors, the blender is able to produce a consistent product in order to best match the tastes of the consumer base being targeted. However, in having to use grain whisky as part of this production, the creator will be minimizing the contribution in taste from the single malt product. While the production of grain whisky is rather inexpensive and contributes its own unique benefits to the blend, grain whisky is made from a mash of cereal grains (usually barley, wheat and maize) which often also incorporate both malted barley and unmalted barley. 

Still For Sale

By contrast, malt whisky is produced from 100% pure malted barley, which is then fermented with yeast and, finally, is distilled in traditional copper pot stills. This makes for an especially pure and terrific product. Even if you only buy moonshine stills which are made from the most pure copper and crafted with divine hands, there is no mistaking the importance of good ingredients. Additionally, other than water, no other grain products or fermentable materials are allowed to be a part of the product. That is the reason why single malt whisky is the product of one single distillery and is never blended with products of other distilleries.

While the identity of the drink itself is very interesting, this is, of course, only the beginning; the true pleasure to be derived from the creation of this product is its terrific taste (First things first though: make sure to always use superior moonshine stills. If you buy moonshine stills which are well crafted and made from pure copper, you will never go wrong).

The Top 3 Myths About Moonshine Stills Uncovered

"Moonshine Stills” are what many Americans call copper or stainless steel distilling equipment that is used to make alcohol - commonly whiskey or moonshine. Call them what you want - many people do - that’s not the only misconception about the many designer moonshine stills available on the market today. So before you buy moonshine stills or any type of equipment for distilling alcohol at home, find out the truth about some of the most common myths about moonshine stills. 

  
Myth #1: Moonshine Stills are Illegal

There are two version of this common myth - either people believe that whiskey and moonshine distilling equipment is completely prohibited by federal law, or that it is only legal to own a whiskey or moonshine still that is no bigger than 1 gallon.

The truth is that it is completely legal (under federal law) to own alcohol distilling equipment of any size, as long as you’re using it for legal purposes. It is illegal to distill whiskey, moonshine, or other spirits without a license. “Legal purposes” include decoration and distilling water or essential oils.

Myth #2: All Moonshine Stills are the Same

People commonly believe that because the design is basic and ancient that there is no difference in types, designs, sizes, or materials of whiskey and moonshine stills. First of all, quality is important. A cheap moonshine still kit may include all the pieces, but have lower quality materials that don’t provide a high-quality product. However, the best designer moonshine stills will be items that contribute to your home or business for decades to come.

Make sure you do your research to find out if you need a specific moonshine still design, depending on what you plan to make. We always recommend copper as the highest quality material for whiskey stills, and always make sure your moonshine still was made with 100% lead-free soldering. 

 

Myth #3: Moonshine Stills are Hard to Maintain

When you buy moonshine stills or any distilling equipment, you have to consider that it will be a long-term item around your home for many years. You don’t want something that is difficult to maintain, and the common myth is that whiskey stills are difficult to clean and repair.

The fact is that copper moonshine stills are easy to clean - both inside and out - and have some of the best natural detoxifying properties. If you don’t want to use commercial copper cleaners, you can clean moonshine stills using an all-natural combination of hot water and vinegar. With just that and a little elbow grease, you can keep your beautiful still as shiny as a new penny.

Those are 3 truths for the most common misconceptions about moonshine and whiskey stills. When you’re shopping for a still, don’t let falsehoods stand in your way. Find the right copper moonshine still and start enjoying it soon.

Choose Your Moonshine Still Company Wisely

So you buy a moonshine still from an online company, but what happens next? Like any online company, you expect certain things, but since superior quality moonshine stills are products that last for decades, you may need to have dealings with the moonshine stills company again in the future.

What do you need to know?

Before you buy a moonshine still from just any company, consider a few things to help you decide which is the best to buy moonshine stills from.

Reputation: In today’s world of online reviews, comments, forums, and blogs, there is no reason you shouldn’t review a product before you buy it. What are other people saying about it? What are other people saying about the company and its customer service? You have a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips online, and that includes reviews from users that can save you potentially hundreds of dollars.

Why is it important?

If you have a problem with shipping, assembly, or the still itself, you want to know that you can call the company and receive help. Check out their reviews for both the products and for their customer service.

Materials: Although a picture is worth a thousand words, pictures can also be deceiving. In addition to looking at the pictures to get a sense of how superior quality moonshine stills are made, make sure to read the manufacturer's specifications anytime you buy moonshine stills. Materials should always be 100% lead free, including the soldering, and properly treated copper.

Why is it important?

If you have a problem with the still’s materials, it can be difficult and expensive to fix. You want to know you can avoid problems and get advice if you need it.

Services: Your experience as a customer begins the moment you arrive at their website. If the information is not easy to find or confusing, it can be an indication of how they run their business. You may want to consider if they offer free shipping, what their customer service hours are, and the specifics of the return policy. Do they offer a newsletter with updates? You never know what you might need to call on them for.

Why is it important?

A company that stays in business is a company that takes care of its customers. You always want to do business with a company like that.

Even the best moonshine and whiskey still company may have an “off” day, but you can’t let it be a detail that concerns your safety, your time, or your money. Shop around and consider how you may interact with the company long-term before you purchase any superior quality moonshine stills.

A Homemade Flour Paste for Your Whiskey Still Kit

After you buy a whiskey still kit and have all the pieces at home, ready to distill your first run, you will need to also make a flour paste at home to seal the seams on your still. During distilling of whiskey, moonshine, and other alcohols, your whiskey still will reach very high temperatures, causing the alcohol in your whiskey mash to evaporate into a vapor. If you don’t seal the seams on your whiskey still, these vapors will escape - which is unsafe as well as a waste of your precious alcohol.

You can make flour paste at your home easily using ingredients that can be found at your local grocery store. The ingredients are fairly inexpensive, so stock up on several packages while you’re there if you plan to distill a lot. Purchasing in bulk can make this part of your distilling more affordable.

Whiskey still kit usually includes the metal parts of your still: the pot boiler, the column (if your still has one), the onion head, and the condenser coil. Wherever the pieces join together, you want to spread the flour paste into the seam. 

 

Alcohol vapor is flammable. If you don’t seal the seams on your still, you are creating a fire hazard. It’s a great idea to always have a fire extinguisher handy when you are distilling whiskey, moonshine, or other spirits.

Make a flour paste for your moonshine still using:

• ¾ cup rye flour
• ¼ cup (distilled) water

Add water to the flour until the paste is a putty-like consistency. Roll the dough into long snakes before you begin heating up the still, and have them ready. Once the whiskey still boiler pot reaches about 100 degrees, apply the paste to the seams of your whiskey still kit, capturing the alcohol vapor.

You can save extra flour paste by sealing it in an airtight container and storing it in the refrigerator for as long as 30 days. If the paste dries out, add water and fresh rye flour until it reaches the proper consistency again. Some moonshiners say that you can use pre-packaged dough or wheat flour, but rye is the best for holding moisture inside the moonshine still during a run. You spent your time and energy to buy a whiskey still kit that will produce the best whiskey and moonshine, so don’t settle for a flour paste that is less than the best when distilling your spirits.