StillSmart

Hello everyone.

So, I got an air still for Christmas. My partner and I for most of last year talked about starting our own gin business. We’ve registered our company name. Applying for licenses. Tons and tons of research and the market. But despite this I have zero clue about distilling. Zero.

So I want to start experimenting with botanicals with my air still and get my recipe.
Now as we know gin is made by distilling botanicals in a neutral spirit.
But I’ve read somewhere you can’t put alcohol though the air still due to fire/explosive hazard? So is the air still a waste of time/money and should I get something else to do this?

Thanks everyone.

I don't have an airstill so I have no idea.

It does occur to me tho' that with your end game in mind, unless you are intending to buy in your neutral, why not start at the beginning.

It's all learning after all.

I have visions of somebody wanting to start an airline but only have a hot air baloon.

If your looking at going commercial down the road, an Airstill will not be up to the task. But you would find that out in due course.

As for running alcohol through it: other people do. Having said that, I have never seen an Airstill.

You don't have to look too hard around this forum to know that is not true.

I think this post might be a windup.

It’s not a windup. I’m being genuine.

I’m only going to use the airstill to get my recipe right. That’s all. Obviously I’m not planning on going commercial with an air still. (But there is a successful craft distillery that only uses the turbo 500) which is what I’ll start off with until I have the money to get a real still.

I will buy in the neutral spirit when I go commercial. But until I have the money I’m going to make my own wash.

So I’ve read if I dilute my neutral spirit I can run it again? With the botanicals added?

If I can’t be taken seriously or get serious answers I’ll go elsewhere. It’s no bother to me. I just thought I’d find serious distillers here.

Newbie1986 wrote:So I’ve read if I dilute my neutral spirit I can run it again? With the botanicals added?

You won't find many serious distillers here. It's why I like it.

Yes, is the answer to your question.

Now go get em, kid!!

Regards, Marc.

Newbie1986 wrote:My partner and I for most of last year talked about starting our own gin business. We’ve registered our company name. Applying for licenses. Tons and tons of research and the market.

If this is a serious post I am curious how you are dealing with the warehousing requirement. That is what stopped me. To get granted a warehouse license you currently need to

"meet the minimum throughput levels - a minimum potential duty liability of £500,000 on the average monthly stockholding of duty-suspended excise goods or a duty liability of at least £2,000,000 on an annual throughput of duty-suspended excise goods"

"The minimum level of security for new general storage and distribution warehouses is £250,000."

Excise Notice 196

The business plan requirement was a bit of an issue also. Last time I asked they wanted to see a confirmed order book before granting a license.

Thank you Marc. I just wanted to make sure.

As for warehousing it’s the first I’ve heard of it. There was nothing mentioned on the HMRC website. And none of the craft gin distilleries have mentioned it either. Surely all that takes away the point of being a craft distillery?

I have a large stone outbuilding on my property that I’m going to be converting into the distillery so I already have a suitable location.

Of course the T500 is a real still. I apologise. I mean until I have the funds to commission a 200 litre or more commercial copper pot still.

Anyway I’m off. That’s for the help I guess haha!

Mash wrote:You don't have to look too hard around this forum to know that is not true.

I think this post might be a windup.

+1

I suspect so but for anyone else interested start reading HERE

Warehousing is the 7th paragraph down. There are links to other notices and information from here. After speaking to someone else that is currently doing this, it is a lot easier to simply move to Ireland. It is MUCH easier to get a license there.

Duffer26 wrote:

Newbie1986 wrote:So I’ve read if I dilute my neutral spirit I can run it again? With the botanicals added?

You won't find many serious distillers here. It's why I like it.
Yes, is the answer to your question.
Now go get em, kid!!
Regards, Marc.

+1

Sorry Newbie I still think you are INCREDIBLY naive or winding us up. Even your name doesn't show much thought. I get the overriding feeling you are looking for mischief. If thats not the case use the search function, read a bit, the answers are there and then start posting. Even try the recipes section.

If I have it wrong I am genuinely sorry. 'Ball', 'court', 'yours'.

The second good read that I received at xmas was "The Craft Distillers' Handbook" by Ted Bruning, Posthouse Publishing.
It is an informative read, and while it explains that HMRC have made applying for a rectifying licence easier, it also explains all the hoops that you have to jump through to satisfy HMRC.
It also explains that you need a business plan, as the country is fast filling up to saturation point with Craft Gin Rectifiers.

The book also discusses other spirits, and is a good compilation of lots of varied information and advice and costs a modest £10.95.

I recommend to all. I have no financial interest in saying so.

Robert.

Sounds good Robert, I'll add it to my must read list.

‘There’s a successful craft distillery that uses a T500’? Really??? That has to be bollocks surely ??