Distilling conjures images of shadowy, underground operations, but modern craft distilleries are stepping into the light to share their intricate work with the world. From boutique gins to single malt whiskies, these small-batch spirits offer big, bold flavours through meticulous distillation methods. Get ready to dive into the inner workings of this magical craft!
Finding the Perfect Mash Bill
The base ingredients going into the wash determine the eventual flavour profile, so craft distillers carefully select each component. Barley, rye, wheat, corn, grapes, apples, sugar cane – these provide the fermentable sugars and starches needed for alcohol production. The percentages of each ingredient make up the “mash bill” which forms the foundation of the spirit. Small tweaks can impart drastic differences, allowing endless refinement.
Pro tip: Look for unusual mash bills featuring local, seasonal or heirloom ingredients for the most distinctive small-batch spirits!
Maximising Control Through Copper
At the heart of any distillery lies the still – and for most craft operations, a classic copper pot still does the trick. The pliable copper reacts with sulphur compounds, filtering impurities for a cleanly distilled spirit, while rounded chambers provide superior temperature control compared to column stills. This allows craft distillers to carefully manage the separation of alcohol from the fermented wash and make precise cuts during distillation. Obsessively monitoring temperatures, testing samples at each phase, and using their senses of sight, smell and taste…this is the true craft!
Top tip: The smaller the still, the more hands-on the process, so opt for spirits produced on sub-100 gallon stills to experience the distiller’s purest vision.
Maturing, Blending, Bottle by Bottle
Once distilled, time becomes the secret ingredient – with many craft spirits resting in barrels previously used for wines, beers or other liquors. This builds depth whilst mellowing rough edges, as characteristics from the wood are imparted over months or years. Other distillers creatively finish their spirits in unique casks like maple syrup kegs for added complexity. When aging is complete, the real alchemy takes place as small batches are tasted and blended bottle by bottle until just right. It’s an artisanal approach you can taste in every sip!
Our recommendation: Seek out single barrel releases to taste the full personality from an individual cask before blending.
So don’t be intimidated by the mystique – inside those dim, barrel-aged warehouses is a vibrant new era for lovingly created small-batch spirits. One sublime sip at a time, craft distilleries are bottling magic!