Understanding Gin-Making Terms
I’ve been making gin for since the COVID-19 lockdown using the Still Spirits T-500. If you are interested in learning how to make gin, you’ll need to learn some of the jargon. Here are some key terms commonly used in the process of gin-making, listed in alphabetical order.
Understanding these terms will help you navigate the world of gin-making and better comprehend the various steps and techniques involved in creating your own high-quality gin.
Glossary of Gin-Making Terms
ABV (Alcohol by Volume): A measurement of the alcohol content in a solution, expressed as a percentage.
Botanicals: Aromatic plant materials, such as herbs, spices, fruits, and botanical extracts used to flavour and add complexity to the gin.
Botanicals Basket: A container or basket attached to the still where the botanicals are placed during the spirit run, allowing the vapour to pass through and extract their flavours.
Condenser: A component of the still that cools the vapour from the boiling liquid, causing it to condense back into a liquid form for collection.
Distillation: The process of heating a liquid mixture to separate its components based on their boiling points, collecting the evaporated vapour and condensing it back into a liquid form.
Flocculants: Substances used to clarify the wash or wort by promoting the clumping together of suspended particles, allowing for easier removal of unwanted matter.
Heads: The initial portion of the distillate collected during the stripping run containing undesirable compounds that are discarded to ensure a cleaner final product.
Hearts: The desired portion of the distillate collected during the stripping run which represents the purest and most flavourful component that will be used for gin production.
Spirit Run: The second distillation run in gin-making which focuses on infusing the hearts with botanical flavours to create the final gin product.
Sterilization: The process of eliminating microorganisms and contaminants from equipment and surfaces to maintain a hygienic and sanitary environment.
Stripping Run: The initial distillation run that aims to convert the wash into ethanol, separating unwanted compounds through the collection of heads and hearts.
Wash: The liquid mixture of fermented ingredients used as the base for distilling gin.
How to Taste Gin
Check out my post on how to taste gin here or go here for everything I’ve written on gin making and tasting.
Stay Tuned for More on How to Taste Gin
Iām writing a book on how to make gin using the Still Spirits T-500. As someone who learned the process through trial and error, I understand the challenges of diving into gin-making without guidance.
With my upcoming book, I aim to shorten your learning curve and empower you to create exceptional craft gin in the comfort of your own home.
Get ready to unlock the secrets of distilling and embark on an exciting journey into the world of gin-making. Stay tuned for updates and join me on this flavourful adventure!
**UPDATED**
My Book How to Make Gin with the Still Spirits T-500 is live on Gumroad. Check it out and unlock the secrets of crafting exceptional gins from the comfort of your own home with this comprehensive guide.
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