Damon Mcknight
Making spirits at home in Australia is possible, but there are strict rules and regulations that must be followed. Distilling spirits for personal consumption is illegal in Australia, and a license from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) is required to manufacture spirits. However, it is legal to own a still under a 5-litre capacity for water purification or essential oil extraction. The process of making spirits involves fermentation, where sugar and water are mixed and yeast is added to convert the sugar to alcohol. This alcoholic base is then distilled, and flavours can be added to create different drinks. While it is illegal to distil spirits without a license in Australia, there is a burgeoning distilling scene, with a growth in artisan spirit set-ups and craft alcohol distilleries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality of distillation | Illegal without a license from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) |
| Legality of stills | Legal to own a still under 5L capacity for water purification or essential oil extraction |
| Commercial distillation | Legal, with a license |
| Home distillation | Illegal, even without intent to sell |
| Base spirit creation | Mix sugar, water, and yeast, then add a Still Spirits Turbo (a mix of yeast and yeast food/nutrients) |
| Base spirit uses | Can be used to make many different drinks |
| Distillation equipment | Pot Still, Reflux Still, Alembic Pot Still |
| Distillation process | Heat alcohol, allow steam to rise and condense, cool with tap water, and draw off as liquid |
| Aging | Historically necessary to improve smoothness and remove unwanted flavors/alcohols; not required for home distillation |
| Filtration | Use a Carbon Filter to slowly pass spirit through activated carbon |
| Mixing flavors | Add essences to replicate whiskey, bourbon, rum, gin, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Getting the right equipment
In Australia, it is illegal to distil alcohol for consumption or sale without the necessary permits and licenses from the relevant authorities. If you are planning to distil alcohol, you will need to apply for an excise license from the Australian Tax Office (ATO), regardless of the size of your still.
If you are not distilling alcohol, you can purchase a still of up to 5 litres in size without permission. This can be used for water purification or essential oil extraction.
To make spirits, you will need a few key pieces of equipment:
- A still: This is a device used to distill alcohol. There are different types of stills available, such as the pot still and the reflux still. The reflux still is more complex and produces purer, stronger alcohol.
- Fermenting equipment: You will need a container to mix your wash (a mixture of water, sugar, yeast, and nutrients) and allow it to ferment.
- Sterilisation equipment: It is important to clean and sanitise your equipment before use to ensure the safety and quality of your spirits.
- Filtration equipment: After distillation, you will need to filter your spirits to produce a polished, pure product. Carbon filters are commonly used for this purpose.
- Mixing equipment: Once you have made your base spirit, you can add flavours and essences to create different drinks.
- Measuring equipment: An alcometer can be used to measure the alcohol strength of your spirits.
It is important to note that distilling spirits without a license is illegal in Australia, and penalties may apply. Always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your equipment to ensure safe and legal use.
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Understanding the distillation process
Distilling spirits at home is a complex process that requires careful attention to safety and legality. In Australia, it is illegal to distil alcohol for consumption or sale without the necessary permits and licenses from the relevant authorities. Distilling without a license can result in penalties. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the distillation process and comply with legal requirements.
The distillation process involves several steps, beginning with fermentation. In this initial step, sugar and water are mixed, and a Still Spirits Turbo, a mixture of yeast and yeast food (nutrients), is added. The yeast plays a crucial role by converting the sugar into alcohol through fermentation. This fermented mixture, known as the wash, serves as the alcoholic base for distillation.
The next critical step is distillation itself. There are two commonly used types of stills: the Pot Still and the Reflux Still. The Pot Still is a simpler system where everything that boils is collected and condensed. On the other hand, the Reflux Still is more complex and features a chamber called the reflux condenser. In this chamber, the steam is filtered, and unwanted elements are returned to the boiling vessel, resulting in purer and stronger alcohol. During distillation, heating the alcohol causes steam to rise and fall up a column as it moves away from the heat source. Cooling tap water is then used to condense the alcohol steam, which is drawn off as a liquid.
After distillation, the high-strength distillate undergoes filtration to enhance its purity. An Alcometer measures the alcohol strength, and the spirit is diluted with water to achieve a drinking strength of around 40% to 45% ABV. The diluted spirit is then passed through a Carbon Filter, a gravity-fed process that uses activated carbon to improve the spirit's quality.
The final step involves mixing flavours to create different drinks from the same batch of spirit. Various essences, such as Classic American Bourbon essence or Top Shelf essence, can be added to the filtered spirit. Additional ingredients like American Barrel Oak Bourbon Chips, glycerine, and water are also used to create unique spirits like bourbon, whiskey, or rum. These mixtures are then soaked and aged in glass for several weeks before bottling and further ageing.
While the distillation process allows for creativity and customization, it is essential to prioritize safety and legality. Distilling spirits without proper knowledge and equipment can lead to the production of unsafe by-products, such as methanol, which can have severe health consequences. Therefore, it is crucial to follow reputable instructions, seek advice from experts, and comply with legal requirements when distilling spirits in Australia.
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Knowing the legal requirements
In Australia, it is illegal to distil alcohol for consumption or sale without the necessary permits and licenses from the relevant authorities. To use a still of any capacity to distil alcohol, you must obtain a manufacturing licence from the Australian Tax Office (ATO). There are penalties for those who manufacture spirits without a licence.
It is not illegal to own a still under 5 litres in capacity in Australia, as long as it is for water purification or essential oil extraction. However, if you are planning to distil alcohol, you will need to apply for an excise licence from the ATO, regardless of the size of your still.
The construction of a still greater than 5 litres is illegal unless you have a permit, which is challenging to obtain. Distilling spirits without a licence is 100% illegal in Australia.
If you are in a country where amateur distillation is not permitted, you will need to purchase the base alcohol from a store to create your own liqueur, spirit, or schnapps. Low-priced vodka or gin are ideal for this purpose.
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Flavouring your spirit
Firstly, it's important to note that distilling spirits without a license is illegal in Australia. So, if you're planning to distil alcohol, you will need to obtain the necessary permits and licenses from the relevant authorities, such as the Australian Tax Office (ATO). However, it is legal to own a still under a 5-litre capacity for water purification or essential oil extraction.
Now, let's get into the flavouring process:
- Fermentation: Start by making your alcohol base through fermentation. Mix sugar and water, and then add yeast. The yeast will convert the sugar into alcohol. You can use specialised high alcohol-tolerant spirit yeast, known as Turbo Yeast, to achieve a higher alcohol content.
- Distillation: After fermentation, you'll move on to distillation. This is where you'll separate the alcohol from the rest of the mixture. Depending on your equipment, you may use a Pot Still or a Reflux Still. The latter is more complex but results in purer and stronger alcohol.
- Filtration: The distilled spirit needs to be filtered to achieve a pure and polished product. Dilute the spirit with water to adjust its strength and then use a Carbon Filter to remove any impurities.
- Flavour Addition: Now, you can add flavours to your spirit. You can purchase spirit or liqueur essences, such as those offered by Still Spirits. These essences can replicate the flavours of your favourite whiskies, bourbons, rums, gins, and more. Simply follow the instructions on the essence packaging.
- Aging: Aging your spirit is not necessary, but it can improve smoothness and remove unwanted flavours. You can age your spirit in oak barrels, similar to traditional rum aging. Alternatively, you can use American Barrel Oak Bourbon Chips to infuse flavours and simulate aging.
- Mixing: If you've made a base spirit, you can get creative and mix different flavours. Experiment with adding herbs, spices, fruits, or other flavourings to create unique combinations. You can even try mixing your spirit with other drinks to create cocktails.
Remember, always be cautious and follow safe practices when distilling and consuming your spirits. Methanol, a dangerous byproduct of distilling, can cause serious health issues if consumed. Ensure you follow reputable instructions and seek advice from experienced home distillers or organisations like the Australian Distillers Association.
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Filtering and ageing your spirit
Filtering
To ensure your spirits are not only drinkable but also a quality beverage, it is important to filter your product. Proper filtration is more than just a finishing touch; it is a key element in ensuring the health and quality of your spirits. By neglecting to filter your alcohol, you may expose yourself to impurities that can have long-term health consequences.
Dilute your distilled spirit with water to an appropriate strength before filtering. This not only aids the filtration process but also ensures that impurities are effectively captured, leaving you with a cleaner, smoother end product.
Activated carbon is a popular choice for filtration due to its exceptional absorption properties. It effectively captures unwanted compounds and impurities, leaving your spirit with a purer taste and smell.
Ageing
Ageing your spirits can be done in a variety of ways, from using oak chips to ageing in barrels. Ageing imparts aroma and flavour from wood into the spirit and helps alleviate the harsh alcohol flavour.
If you are using oak chips, place your desired amount of oak chips and 4L of spirit at around 60-65% ABV in a demijohn. Depending on the oak being used, 10-25g of chips will be used per litre of spirit. Allow the spirit to age for at least 3 months before diluting. Slowly water the spirit to an ABV of 40% over the following 3-12 months. During this time, the spirit can be sampled to help develop an understanding of the ageing process and the flavours that develop.
Alternatively, you can age your spirits in barrels. This process typically takes longer, with spirits being stored for lengthy periods in barrels. However, the spirit will develop a deeper flavour profile and colour.
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Frequently asked questions
It is illegal to distil alcohol for consumption or sale in Australia without the necessary permits and licenses from the relevant authorities. However, it is legal to own a still under 5 litres for water purification or essential oil extraction.
You will need a still, such as the Turbo 500, which is a small batch distillation system. You will also need sugar, water, yeast, a carbon filter, and any desired flavourings or essences.
The first step is fermentation, where yeast converts sugar to alcohol. This is followed by distillation, where the alcohol is heated and condensed. The high-strength distillate is then filtered to produce a pure, neutral spirit. Finally, the spirit can be mixed with flavourings to create different drinks.
Yes, distilling spirits can be dangerous if the correct method is not followed. Methanol, a by-product of fermentation, can cause blindness and other side effects if consumed. It is important to follow the instructions for your specific still to ensure safe levels of methanol and ethanol in your final product.
The Australian Distillers Association and the Distillers Institute offer resources, peer networks, and courses for spirit distillers. Additionally, home brew stores in Australia can provide advice and supplies for making spirits.
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