Table of Contents
Foreword 9
Dear Distilling Enthusiasts! 9
Introduction 12
Can You Do Serious Work with a Mini Still? 12
Distilling Is a Hobby, Not a Crime! 13
What Can You Really Get Going with Such a Small Still? 14
Conclusion 18
The Stills 19
What Does This Hobby Cost? 20
Making Spirits 20
Fruit Schnapps and Brandy 21
Whiskey, Vodka and Grain Spirits 21
Essential Oils and Hydrosols 22
The Art of Distilling 23
The Basic Principle 24
Steam Distillation? 25
Buyer's Guide 27
Freestanding Mini Stills 27
Complete Stills 28
Stills and Distillery Systems 30
Alembic Still 30
Whiskey Still 32
"Charentais" Cognac Still 32
Arabia Still 34
The Column Still 36
The Alquitara 37
Hennin Still 38
Retorts, Glass Flasks, and Pelicans 39
Rum Still 42
Tabletop Pot Still 43
Water Distiller 45
The Italian GAGGIA 45
Espresso Still 47
Setting Up a Still 48
Setup Height 52
Condensation 53
Test Distillation 54
Thermometer for Distilling? 59
A Bit of Thermometer Know-How 62
Glass Thermometer 62
Bimetallic Thermometer 63
Digital Thermometer 64
Infrared Laser Thermometer 65
Creating Your Own Distillates 66
The Spirits That I Summon 66
Alcohol for Making Spirits 67
Steam Distillation 70
Distilling Spirits with a Small Still 71
Anise 71
Gin and Genever 73
Himbeergeist [Raspberry Brandy] 81
Brandy 83
Simple Brandy Distilling 86
Dealing with Contaminants in Distilling 88
What Are the Foreshots? 91
What Is the Heart? 92
What Are the Feints? 92
Double Distilling 93
Raw Spirit or Low Wine 94
Fine Spirit 95
Simple Distilling with a Dephlegmator 96
Raschig Rings 96
Copper Wool 97
Stainless Steel 98
Mashing and Making Alcohol 102
Yeast Know-How 104
Should You Buy a Pure Yeast Culture? 106
Live Cultures 106
Dry Yeast 107
Turbo Yeast 107
Competition 108
What Do Yeasts Love? Moderate Climate 108
The Right pH Value 108
Yeasts Love Sugar! 109
Good Nutrition 110
The Oxygen Problem! 110
Practical Mash Making 112
Pip Fruits 112
Stone Fruits 113
Berries 113
Starchy Bases 114
Sugar Mash 114
Fermentation 115
Distilling Fruit Brandies 117
What Makes a Difference When We Distill? 118
Pomace Brandies or Marcs 120
Grain Spirits 121
Concluding Words and Recommendations on Alcohol 122
Storage and Refining 124
Rounding and Refining 124
Oxygen 125
Water 125
Activated Carbon 126
Barrel Storage 127
Barrel Know-How 128
Sealed or Open? 128
Which Barrel for Which Drink? 129
Angels' Share and Devil's Cut 130
Barrel Care 130
Alternative Ways to Enhance Flavor 131
Wood Flavors 131
Caramel and Sugar 132
Essences and Flavors 133
Bottling 133
Distilling Essential Oils 137
The Problem 138
The Solution 138
Practical Distilling of Essential Oils 141
Distilling Cloves 141
Distilling Lavender 143
What Is the Best Way for Me to Distill What? 144
Hydrosols 145
Which Plants for What Purpose? 146
Anise 146
Apples 147
Basil 147
Pears 148
Savory 149
Gentian 149
Strawberries 149
Eucalyptus 150
Fennel 151
Spruce Needles 151
Ginger 152
Raspberries 153
Chamomile 153
Caraway 154
Lavender 155
Linden Blossoms 155
Laurel 156
Marjoram 156
Lemon Balm 156
Mint 157
Cloves 158
Oranges 160
Roses 161
Rosemary 162
Sage 162
Chives 163
Thyme 163
Vanilla 164
Violets 165
Juniper 165
Cinnamon 166
All Kinds of Different Recipes 167
Spaghetti with Basil-Thyme Sauce 167
Lemon Balm-Rosemary Face Lotion 167
Mint-Sage Skin Lotion 167
Mouthwash for a Toothache 169
Mouthwash for Gargling Against Inflammation 169
Wash Lotions for Intimate Areas 169
Cough and Throat Teas 169
Anti-Stress Hydrosol 169
Nerve-Strengthening Herbal Distillate 169
Digestive Tonic 169
Inhalation Mixture for the Respiratory Tract 170
Spruce Needle Bath Salts 170
Rubbing Alcohol 171
Further Recommendations 173
Concluding Remarks 176
