Frequently Asked Gin Distilling Questions | Ask a Pro Distiller

I get a lot of questions about distilling gin, so I decided to compile all the questions and answer them in this video. The list of questions I answer is as follows:
0:00 Intro
0:20 Should I macerate my botanicals in the spirit?
1:20 If I decide to macerate my botanicals, how long should I do this for?
2:35 If I decide to macerate my botanicals in the spirit, what temperature should the spirit be?
3:21 What should the percentage of the alcohol be that I charge my still with for the distillation?
4:39 Should I crush my botanicals to get more surface area from them, or should I just leave them whole?
5:31 How do I go about making a gin recipe and selecting my botanicals?
5:45 Why do you take a heads cut in your gin distillation if you are charging the still with neutral grain spirit. Shouldn't neutral grain spirit be flavourless and free from methanol?
7:05 Should I distil all my botanicals separately and then blend the distillates together to create a gin, or should I just distil all my botanicals together? Which is better?
8:06 Which botanicals are better vapour infused and which are better being distilled directly in the liquid?
8:47 I have heard that I need to add either orris root or angelica root to my gin recipe, since they act as fixatives. Is this true?
9:55 The gin I distilled is cloudy and murky looking why is that?
10:24 The gin I distilled has a green tinge to it, what is that?
10:49 Is a copper still or a metal still better for distilling gin?
11:41 If a gin distillery makes their own base spirit, is the gin they produce better than a distillery that buys in NGS?
12:56 If a gin distillery makes their own base spirit, is the gin they produce better than a distillery that buys in NGS?
14:17 Outro
#distillinggin #howtomakegin #gin
Read about it instead: missbrewbird.com/frequently-a...
I'm Miss Brewbird, a Canadian girl training to be a distiller. I'm also tickled pink that you've found your way here. If you are interested in learning more about the drinks industry this is the channel for you. Hit that subscribe button for more videos about distilling and brewing. Cheers!
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Пікірлер: 112

  • @MissBrewbird
    @MissBrewbird3 жыл бұрын

    Did I answer your gin question today? Feel free to send me more gin distillation questions, and if I get enough I will make another one of these videos.

  • @dorjiwangmo5310

    @dorjiwangmo5310

    Жыл бұрын

    Hello! can anyone explain me the difference between distill and re-distilled gin?

  • @clean-clean3554

    @clean-clean3554

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi,great video,how can I modify the 1 l still gin recipe to 20 l and to 500 l still gin recipe.What proportion should I use.

  • @Miata822
    @Miata822 Жыл бұрын

    Super helpful. Thanks!

  • @itsbcook
    @itsbcook3 жыл бұрын

    another great video!

  • @deanparker5548
    @deanparker55487 ай бұрын

    Great info, Thanks!

  • @shawnbrett3136
    @shawnbrett31363 жыл бұрын

    Great information , thank you

  • @JacobFisher
    @JacobFisher3 жыл бұрын

    You brought up questions I didn't even know I should ask!

  • @shirleysyhui
    @shirleysyhui3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Brewbird for your hard work to make this informative video. Love it!

  • @carlrehnberg4581
    @carlrehnberg45813 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! I love getting answers to questions I did not even know that I should ask. Keep up the good work!

  • @seanholmes8752
    @seanholmes87522 жыл бұрын

    Well done exceptional knowledge.

  • @cheesestradamusDOTcom
    @cheesestradamusDOTcom Жыл бұрын

    Thanks a lot.

  • @scottclay4253
    @scottclay42533 жыл бұрын

    Great information well presented. We come away from your videos much better informed. Thank you Brewbird! You did it again!

  • @turi-geza
    @turi-geza2 жыл бұрын

    Great channel! Thank you for all the content.

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching!🤗

  • @TheAy7531
    @TheAy75313 жыл бұрын

    thanks! Another great and informative video.

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    💖😊 thanks

  • @jaymcbakerk
    @jaymcbakerk3 жыл бұрын

    This was great, thanks Miss Brewbird

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!😆

  • @billhodgkinson716
    @billhodgkinson7163 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Great information. Thanks for the education.

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @warrencourt7938
    @warrencourt79382 жыл бұрын

    Good content. Thank you for sharing.

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching😊

  • @isawrichvarga
    @isawrichvarga Жыл бұрын

    Fantastic video. Very thorough selection of questions as well

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @rommelchatman6827
    @rommelchatman6827 Жыл бұрын

    A lot of good information

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @norwegianviking69
    @norwegianviking692 жыл бұрын

    Crisp, clear instructions. Thank you for a great video. Keep these videos coming.

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, will do!

  • @McJackFun
    @McJackFun3 жыл бұрын

    Really informative and helpful Video! Can't wait seeing more videos regarding gin production ! Cheers from Austria!

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    More to come!

  • @edwardbrown7571
    @edwardbrown75714 ай бұрын

    Very informative...

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    4 ай бұрын

    Glad you think so!

  • @huntway4843
    @huntway48433 жыл бұрын

    Love your channel! Funny you're having this topic now, as I've just done two runs side by side - one with maceration and one without. I did have a question around crushing or not crushing and in the end didn't, so this video is answering quite a few of my questions. Haven't blended and tested my cuts yet, so can't comment which method I like better, but it's an interesting learning curve anyway! Thanks for your videos!

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic!

  • @charlesinscore4107
    @charlesinscore4107 Жыл бұрын

    I love the part of separately infusions. Then mixing. I live in AZ. So fresh juniper berries, are available. And oronges,lemons,and limes. I see this all differently now. Make the individual high proof. Then cut and mix. As it comes available. In stead of throwing out lemon peals. What a concept. Thx: Chuck

  • @torandresyltesether7832
    @torandresyltesether78323 жыл бұрын

    I must say, I really lurn a lot from you. Thanks to Jesse for introducing you🙂

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    😀 Thanks, that's what I like to hear.

  • @mustyditch4703
    @mustyditch47033 жыл бұрын

    What perfect timing … my plans are to replenish my gin stock in the next couple of weeks. Thanks!!

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    Perfect!

  • @MaveZurune001
    @MaveZurune0013 жыл бұрын

    This channel helps me to appreciate spirits more. Knowing the steps, the inside outs, so much precision in the knowledge that i can't get on the first page of google search. Thanks Miss Brewbird!

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    Happy to help! First time I've seen you in the comments too.

  • @joaofavarodeoliveira6588

    @joaofavarodeoliveira6588

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi congrats on the video! Really great. Any good book references to reccomend on gin making process?

  • @weebney
    @weebney2 жыл бұрын

    Incredible video, can't believe you don't have more subscribers

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks I know, I wish I had more too 😿😿😿

  • @mauistevebear
    @mauistevebear3 жыл бұрын

    Miss Brewbird! I've said it before, but will always say it. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't know squat about making gin. You taught me well. Your channel has several videos on the subject as well as downloadable charts. The ingredient wheel is my favorite. THANK YOU!

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the support as always. I just started working at a new distillery where I have been tasked with developing some new gin products, so there are more gin videos in the works as well as other spirits too😉

  • @bakhossassine7968
    @bakhossassine7968 Жыл бұрын

    i love the information you have highlighted very informative, one question what is the formula for a five gallon wash, how much of the 6 ingredients you mentioned. it would be very helpful if you reply thanks

  • @dopstjom701
    @dopstjom7013 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this. Great to have so much knowledge packed into an episode. At what ABV are commercial distilleries usually collecting their gin at? I once forgot a bit of copper packing in my column and ended up with a gin around 80% ABV (out of curiosity I decided to continue with the run when I realized what I had done and ran it even slower). I noticed the flavours coming through were a lot lighter or my mind was playing tricks on me.

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    The start of collection is around the 80s, high 70s, then maybe collect until around 65%abv. It depends on flavour though.

  • @willemkilian9563
    @willemkilian95632 жыл бұрын

    As a panelist who often gets the opportunity to take part in these, this was an interesting breakdown for me.

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    2 жыл бұрын

    Nice to hear!

  • @Max-de2rt
    @Max-de2rt Жыл бұрын

    Very instructive video, thanks for the time you take to teach people ! Some questions here if I may : Do you know if using less botanical but during a longer maceration have a similar effect ? Also i saw multiple video where people also boil (pot still) the same botanicals after using them for maceration, any thoughts on this (let say for "standard botanical as Juniper, coriander, Angelica root, cardamon..) ? I had some issue finding the Angelica root, i finally found some in a chinease market, they called it Angelica Dahurica a.k.a dong quai , is it the right product ? (have a weird smell) What do you think about using extract (almond, orange, vanilla) ? Can we use them directly in the pot for boilling ? Is the maceration ABV affect the qty of botanical you will use ? Do you have any favorite/easy to read books you recommend for a home distiller ?

  • @bwatson7586
    @bwatson7586 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Brewbird. How great it is to get such info

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @papadunbar
    @papadunbar3 жыл бұрын

    Very informative and timely! I’ve just made my first NGS and am experimenting with flavored moonshine, but saved some to make my fist gin. I’ll be deciding on the base ingredients and running it sometime this week. I’ll probably try to keep it simple for the first try. I do have an evergreen with juniper berries on it now, can I pick and use them as they are?

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Rich. There are over 45 different types of Juniper berries, some of them are poisonous, so be careful. If you know you have the Juniperus communis then it is okay.

  • @robertfontaine3650
    @robertfontaine36503 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the table of contents there is a lot here. I'm looking forward to making a nice London dry this winter. I suspect most whiskey distilleries need to start somewhere and selling vodka and gin provided by the truckload buys time for the whiskey barrels to age. Vodka and Gin are a great deal more about marketing than the product.

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes I agree, vodka especially is just a marketing game.

  • @rodneygutsell2351
    @rodneygutsell23512 жыл бұрын

    Great informative video brewbird. What flavours come off at different times during distillation / extraction?

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    2 жыл бұрын

    In the beginning you get a kind of nail varnish smell and flavour and then near the end you just get less flavours from the botanicals and it is not so sweet anymore.

  • @s1k2k3m4
    @s1k2k3m4 Жыл бұрын

    i'm new to gin making but i have produced a lot of rum from scratch....since i live in a tropical area, close to sugar cane producers, i make my base spirit for gin from molasses. i have been experimenting with different methods and still heads as well as ingredients and processes. what i have found that works for me is to use a copper packed SS reflux head for both the stripping and spirit run, giving me an ABV after those two distillations in the mid 60%ABV range..... i then macerate my ingredients in this alcohol for 2 days, i then reintroduce this "infusion" into the still through a strainer and distill a third time but using a moonshine/whiskey still head, so as to retain more flavor. i will crush the juniper berries, coriander seeds and green cardamom but leave the citrus peels intact. after watching this video it seems the maceration is not normally done in alcohol. what do you think? my first two experimental rounds of gins, totalling 9 different recipes (and infusing/macerating them for a month) were not satisfying, though i'm not sure if it was the maceration as much as the ingredients were not to my liking. i was about to toss out the volume of these two rounds (saving one bottle from each recipe as an archive), when i decided to experiment... i distilled this a fourth time, being more strict in my hearts/tail cuts. i was surprised at how persistent the flavor maintained (theorizing before hand i might get a neutral spirt, but no), then i distilled it a fifth time, being even more strict in the cut..... the results were the best gin i've ever made or tasted.... i attribute this result mostly to the addtional distillation and stricter cuts. gin is a very naked spirit as far as your cuts go, be strict, no tails..... an aged spirit can hide some tails or even be improved but not gin.

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi, sorry for my late reply. Thanks for the summary. Maceration is common. I think what is uncommon is that you crushed the juniper, coriander seed, and cardamom. You may get a different flavour profile if you leave them uncrushed. That's true, aged spirits generally include more tails since the harsher flavours will mellow out with aging.

  • @ChasingTheApex
    @ChasingTheApex3 жыл бұрын

    The real question we all need an answer to, is how do we avoid hangovers. We need a full proof trick

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'll have to consult with a biochemist and maybe an MD too, but actually I think that is an amazing idea for a video. Thanks!

  • @ChasingTheApex

    @ChasingTheApex

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MissBrewbird rad!

  • @Sentinel-Ai
    @Sentinel-Ai Жыл бұрын

    i make my Gin from Mead that i also make from my bees, the flavor profile is so much better and very smooth.

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    Жыл бұрын

    Mmm mead. I've never distilled mead before, I bet it is awesome.

  • @uckeful
    @uckeful2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Brewbird for all your clips, a great sours for us that chasing the craft. You mentioned that some botanicals macerated better in a lower abv and some in higher ,could you tell us more about witch botanical that get a stronger taste in a stronger abv. //Bo

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi Bo, I haven't done enough research to say definitively which botanicals are better steeped at low vs high %abv, sorry.

  • @datcolsol

    @datcolsol

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MissBrewbird I have played a little with maceration ABV. The only thing that I have seen really benefit from high %ABV are almonds and pistachios. I have gotten better flavor from these using 95% neutral spirits. Other than the nuts, everything I have tried, seems to work fine at 50%. Your thought?

  • @raymondalonsoable
    @raymondalonsoable5 ай бұрын

    thanks for the clear explanation in your videos. I distill in a T500 boiler where I have to distill with at least 10 liters. What ratio of ingredients should I use or can I add 10 times the amount stated on your Botanical card? Thank you!

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    4 ай бұрын

    Hey, yes the amounts on the sheet are for 1L, so you can just multiply the botanicals by the volume you'd like to make. For instance if you need 20g of juniper berries for 1L and want to make a batch size of 15 L, just do 20g x 15 =300g.

  • @porsche928ireland
    @porsche928ireland Жыл бұрын

    Your content is amazing. With a 6 gallon sugar wash how many juniper berries would you recommend for vapor infusion.

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    Жыл бұрын

    Without any other information, I would say 15-25g/L.

  • @rogercrier9115
    @rogercrier91152 жыл бұрын

    Loving your videos, especially as they are often set at small quantity’s like 1 litre at 40% I am trying to clone my favourite Gin which is blue bottle Mary-le-Bone! It says it has the following botanicals, and I was hoping to get your best guess at the ingredient weights for 1 litre :- Juniper Coriander Camomile Lemon balm Lime flower Cloves Grapefruit peel Sweet orange peel Lemon peel Angelica root Florentine iris Liquorice root Cassia bark Are you still at the Shakespeare Distillery? You look to be having fun!!

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    2 жыл бұрын

    I have never tried that gin before, so I wouldn't be able to guess any of the botanical amounts. I am not at the Shakespeare Distillery anymore, I went back to Canada.

  • @CaseyAngelova
    @CaseyAngelova2 жыл бұрын

    Great video! Is it better to macerate in a higher ABV then dilute before distilling, or dilute to desired ABV and macerate? Does it make a difference?

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi Casey, I would say it depends on your gin recipe since your gin recipes will have different botanicals in them. The best way is to do a small-scale test and decide which you prefer.

  • @ghislainlagace8536
    @ghislainlagace8536 Жыл бұрын

    Hello,have you ever tried maple wood chunks to age liquor? mean after distilling? thank you and for this vid too!

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    Жыл бұрын

    No, I've never tried that. Let me know how it goes if you do it.

  • @alexkitzen2329
    @alexkitzen23293 ай бұрын

    can you please explain on how to upscale the botanicals after you're done testing with 1 liter batches and want to go forward with larger volumes?

  • @teagorgieva2117
    @teagorgieva21172 жыл бұрын

    I did not understand your answer and I ask for a more precise answer. Can I mash the GIN ingredients (say 7 days) in about 70% alcohol and then filter and distill only the liquid? What will I get, quality GIN or GIN with less aromas? What do you think I should use 70 percent alcohol from Apples to produce GIN and what quality of GIN will I get?

  • @vidarhalvorsen512
    @vidarhalvorsen5126 күн бұрын

    hi- you say that if one macerate the gin say for 48 hours, then it takes longer to get ready for market. Are you referring to the " should rest for 14 days" maturation in that ? .. so that a gin that macerates for, lets say 48 hours, would require longer maturation time .. like a month ?

  • @clean-clean3554
    @clean-clean3554 Жыл бұрын

    Hi,I made my own gin recipe and gin brand,my recipe is for 1l copper still,how I will transfer my recipe for 20 liters copper still and for 500 l copper still? It is a rule?

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi, you can usually just multiply your ingredients by whatever factor you want to increase it by. So if you have a recipe for 1L and want to scale it up to 20L you can just multiply amounts by 20. You may need to make small changes to the quantities as you scale up, but since you are scaling up on the same type of still it should be quiet similar.

  • @thomashamann7035
    @thomashamann70353 жыл бұрын

    Hi Brewbird, a first call programme. I think I’m going to try the maceration process . Question: if I do that for 24 hours, remove the botanicals and distill again will the flavours of the botanicals be removed? Or: after the maceration time, do I run the still with the botanicals still swimming in the spirit? Many thanks in advance, T.

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Thomas! Usually after the maceration we leave the botanicals in the still and run the distillation.

  • @thomashamann7035

    @thomashamann7035

    3 жыл бұрын

    Many thanks.

  • @JasonBelliveau
    @JasonBelliveau3 жыл бұрын

    I know its all personal but a question on citrus. Do you prefer maceration, just tossing it in the still or putting it in the vapor path?

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ooh, I haven't done enough experimentation to have an opinion on that. I'd have to make the same gin recipe and then do those three experiments to see which one I liked more.

  • @JasonBelliveau

    @JasonBelliveau

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MissBrewbird I unfortunately don't drink that much gin to make that much to find out. So far maceration is what worked for me.

  • @gabrielmoreira976
    @gabrielmoreira9762 жыл бұрын

    Brew Bird how are you? Do you know any brand yeast for open fermentation? I live in Mexico 🇲🇽 at this time, and help over here is hard to come by. Thank you

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    2 жыл бұрын

    If you are fermenting it with the intent to distil then just buy a yeast that is labelled for distilling. These yeasts are able to survive higher density wort and higher %abv.

  • @gabrielmoreira976

    @gabrielmoreira976

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@MissBrewbird I am looking for a commercial brand name? Do you know any brand name? Thank you

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    2 жыл бұрын

    I would just google 'distilling yeast' and see what comes up.

  • @gabrielmoreira976

    @gabrielmoreira976

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@MissBrewbird really, thanks for nothing

  • @tydbrokenheart
    @tydbrokenheart Жыл бұрын

    At what temperature should we distill the macerated liquid so that we get best flavour & aroma without any off notes. Will low temperature such as 50 or 60 degree celcius woukd work or not. Or 80 degree is neccesary for distillation. Hoping for a quick reply from ur side it will help me a lot. Thanks in advance.

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    Жыл бұрын

    The temperature to distil? Well ethanol boils at 78C, so you'll need to get to that temperature at least. Then you will bring up the temperature until what you collect does not taste good. If you collect the distillate in more containers, then even if what you are collecting tastes bad it is okay as you can can simply not add those containers to the final product.

  • @tydbrokenheart

    @tydbrokenheart

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MissBrewbird i hv also tried distilling after removing botanicals from macerated alcohol, but burnt smell is still present. I hv also discarded first 20 ml distillate & collected only 400 ml distillate after that & discarded the rest but problem is not solved. I m not getting good aroma gin without burnt off notes. Pls. help i'll be very thankful to u.

  • @rukundogervais6227
    @rukundogervais62272 жыл бұрын

    I wish to have ur mail and this is good explanation

  • @joaohuster4915
    @joaohuster49152 жыл бұрын

    How do you dillute the ngs safely?

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    Жыл бұрын

    Slowly add water, mix, and measure the alcohol percentage so that you don't overshoot your target abv.

  • @MauricioFernandes79
    @MauricioFernandes79 Жыл бұрын

    Can I use Sugarcane Neutral Alcohol instead of Grain?

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    Жыл бұрын

    yes you can

  • @danthemann
    @danthemann2 жыл бұрын

    You mention some flavors are water soluble and others are alcohol soluble. Which are which and is there are way to make an educated guess with something new?

  • @MissBrewbird

    @MissBrewbird

    2 жыл бұрын

    I haven't done enough research/testing to give out a list. I suppose you could take a botanical and steep one in water and the other in a neutral oil for a period of time to figure out which flavours come out in each.

  • @seekcamera2638
    @seekcamera26383 жыл бұрын

    Yes. It's better. NGS is bad and has no flavor

  • @seekcamera2638

    @seekcamera2638

    3 жыл бұрын

    Oh ... Great video. Thanks brewbird

  • @peterboswell8364
    @peterboswell83645 ай бұрын

    I think you have gone out of your way to not answer any of the questions. You have deliberately sat on the fence, and said to your subscribers, "Work it out for yourselves". While I don't disagree with the sentiment, what is the point of producing a video titled, I'll give you the answers to all the frequently asked questions, and then deliberately avoid answering any of those questions. Click bait.