Instructions - Artisan Gin Ingredients Kit - Air Still

To distil the Artisan Distiller's Gin Ingredients Kit in an Air Still, follow the instructions included in the kit up to page 3 to make and ferment your wash. Follow the below instructions to perform the stripping run and spirit run. 

There are two ways to distil the gin wash when using an Air Still. One involves macerating the botanicals in the stripping run distillate prior to running the spirit/botanical run. The other skips the maceration process. The maceration process infuses the gin with even more flavour and aroma, however, we recommend trying out both options to find out which you prefer.

Initial Distillation (both methods)

1. Assemble your Still Spirits Air Still as per the instructions and transfer 4 L of the cleared wash to the boiler and start the distillation process.
2. Discard the first 50 mL and then collect all the stripping run distillate into a 5 L glass demijohn (or another type of container – preferably not plastic) and put this aside for use in the botanical run.
3. Repeat the above steps with the rest of the 25 L wash and combine all the distillate into one container.
4. If you wish, you can optionally run this again through the Air Still (ensuring it is diluted down to 40% ABV or lower) to double distil it for a cleaner flavour profile.
5. Dilute the final distillate down to 40% ABV and then filter through the Still Spirits Filter Pro or the EZ Filter to further polish your spirit.

Maceration: Botanical Run

1. Depending on the volume of distillate you got from the above run (this will vary depending on double distillations and/or cuts being taken) split into even lots in separate glass jars.
2. Divide your botanicals pack across the number of containers of distillate you have and let it sit for 2-3 days to let it macerate giving it a stir/mix once or twice a day.
3. Assemble your Still Spirits Air Still as per the instructions and transfer the first container into the boiler, depending on the volume you may want to add some water to ensure there is at least 2 L in the unit.
4. You can choose to filter out the botanicals and put them into your Air Still basket, or you can leave them in the boiler itself - both can have slightly different results.
5. It can be useful here to take some small cuts, often the initial 30-50 mL can contain concentrated oils and other compounds that may or may not be wanted in your final product.
6. After the initial discarded amount, collect the distillate coming out until the ABV reaches approx. 20% - from here you may see oils coming through (can look cloudy or oily) which will detract from your final Gin. To measure this, simply take 100 mL or so and measure using your alcometer throughout the process.
7. Once you have your collected amount, store it in a glass container, and continue the process with the next batches of filtered distillate and botanicals (if required).
8. Once you have distilled all the liquid with botanicals, mix it all together and check the final ABV. Dilute it down to 38-42% abv depending on your taste with good quality drinking water.
9. Allow the Gin to rest for a week for the flavours to settle and enjoy!

Skipped Maceration: Botanical Run

1. Measure the volume of distillate from the initial distillation you have and divide this into multiple runs for the Air Still of no more than 4 L – you can top up with water to the 4 L mark to ensure they are even (they can also be slightly less but we recommend 2 L minimum in the boiler), then divide the botanicals out so you have a small amount per run to use.
2. Assemble your Still Spirits Air Still as per the instructions and transfer 4L into the boiler.
3. Add the botanicals to your Air Still Infusion Basket, secure the basket into the lid, and start the distillation process.
4. It can be useful here to take some small cuts, often the initial 30-50 mL can contain concentrated oils and other compounds that may or may not be wanted in your final product.
5. After the initial discarded amount, collect the distillate coming out until the ABV reaches approx. 20% - from here you may see oils coming through (can look cloudy or oily) which will detract from your final Gin. To measure this, simply take 100 mL or so and measure using your alcometer throughout the process.
6. Once you have your collected amount, store it in a glass container, and continue the process with the next batches of filtered distillate and botanicals.
7. Once you have distilled all the liquid with botanicals, mix it all together and check the final ABV. Dilute it down to 38-42% ABV depending on your taste with good quality drinking water.
8. Allow the Gin to rest for a week for the flavours to settle and enjoy!