• Gin

  Small Batch Gin Distillation using Kentucky Style Pot Still

  Posted by Andrew_90 on April 12, 2022 at 11:52 am

  Hi,I can get a small still at a real steal, but it will not be a steal if it does not work for Gin.Any input would be welcome.One too many wasted sunsets, one too many for the road.

  Oatmeal replied 2 years, 8 months ago 8 Members · 10 Replies
• 10 Replies

• 

  still_stirrin

  Member

  April 12, 2022 at 12:01 pm

  You haven’t provided enough information regarding “the small still” to give any kind of “input”. More info please.ssMy LM/VM & Potstill: My build threadMy Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate BuildMy stock pot gin still: stock pot potstillMy 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K

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  Vurumai

  Member

  April 12, 2022 at 12:28 pm

  Depends on your method. You have a few options. Could just macerate in neutral spirits and then redistill. Any still can handle that. Could put botanicals in the vapor path. Gets tricky with a simple pot still unless you have a thumper. Could also throw the botanicals in the boiler and do it that way. Regardless all roads lead to Rome and you can make gin with any still given enough dedication.

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  Oatmeal

  Member

  April 12, 2022 at 12:29 pm

  Any pot should work with maceration style gin. 2.9 gallons was too big for me (but worked fine) because I want to run many small batches to see what’s what. .9 feels much better.A still for a steal, you bet! (I now have 3 boiler sizes, and uses for all of them….)Through the magic of alchemy, our spirits live on.

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  Bushman

  Member

  April 12, 2022 at 12:40 pm

  Kentucky style should work fine unless the boiler is too small (like model size), what size is the boiler?For New and Novice DistillersHow to Organize and Manage ForumPosting Photos

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  Andrew_90

  Member

  April 12, 2022 at 1:23 pm

  I can get either a 3 liter or a 6 liter (0.8 / 1.6 gallon)One too many wasted sunsets, one too many for the road.

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  Boda Getta

  Member

  April 12, 2022 at 6:52 pm

  I have had good gin results with my 15 gal pot still by putting a ball of copper mesh on the top and bottom of my botanicals that I have ties into a ball of cheese cloth and running a clean neutral through it. Easy Peasy. The hardest part for me is deciding which botanicals to use.Good luck.Bota Getta

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  TwoSheds

  Member

  April 13, 2022 at 1:18 am

  FWIW, I have a 5 liter alembic and a 1 gallon air still and both are more than sufficient for gin experiments. In hindsight I think I’d be happy with a 3 liter alembic, but I also have a 3 gallon stainless still.I have found that the recipes I’m using make a very strong gin that I can then cut with more neutrals anyway, so again, 3 liter would suffice for my needs.Ymmv.TwoSheds

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  Stonecutter

  Member

  April 13, 2022 at 2:37 am

  OEG works fine with a pot you just have to get some good neutral. Fine neutral can be made with a pot, it’s just going to take some extra work.Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.-Thomas Paine

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  Andrew_90

  Member

  April 13, 2022 at 2:45 am

  Many thanks for the advice, think I will buy the 3l then at USD 100 which this side of the pond is nearly half price.One too many wasted sunsets, one too many for the road.

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  Oatmeal

  Member

  April 13, 2022 at 12:17 pm

  Additionally, NZchris will point out you can do 4 times the botanicals in say a litre, and then dilute with neutral, allowing you to do larger batches in your smaller still….(have not tried yet, still learning what I like/ingredients).Have fun!Through the magic of alchemy, our spirits live on.

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