Distillation Supplies & Alcohol Flavorings

Is Distilling Legal?First, let's define what we mean. After all, this is a legal issue, so it's important that we understand the question. Alcohol is produced by the process of fermentation, which IS legal in the U.S. Distillation doesn't produce alcohol, it concentrates it; and that is where the issue gets complicated. Distillation of water, essential essences, herbs etc is entirely legal (to our knowledge) everywhere. Distillation of alcohol is often a different matter, depending on where you are, and what you DO with the alcohol. Location: 1) In your home: In New Zealand, Sweden, and many other countries, we are told it IS legal to distill alcohol for your own consumption. We are not lawyers, and do not know the laws of each country well enough to make a judgment call for you on this; we advise you to determine your own legal position before doing it. In the U.S., distilling alcohol for your personal consumption is NOT legal, and we must discourage you from doing so. It doesn't matter if you make just a few bottles, or 10,000 barrels. It is not legal. If you intend to do this, please do not tell us. Again, it is important that YOU determine your own legal position. We can't and won't do it for you. If you intend to SELL homemade whiskey, vodka or other booze, rest assured, it is NOT legal. The U.S. has a colorful history of moonshining, but if you do it you can be arrested, prosecuted, jailed and otherwise "inconvenienced" for this illegal act. Reading books about moonshining, still building and the distillation process is entirely legal. Owning distillation equipment is legal. If you use it in an illegal fashion, you are on your own. Again, determine your own legal position. If you make alcohol for FUEL, this can be legal. There are many legitimate uses for alcohol as a motor fuel, heat source, lamps, solvent etc., and you are entitled to do this with the proper permits. You can even obtain tax credits from the government for doing so. Using alcohol as a fuel helps us to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. 2) At a commercial location Of course you can distill whiskey, vodka, gin etc. IF you have been licensed by the government to do so. Commercial distilleries are everywhere, after all. They are required to apply for a license, post bond, get label approval and (most importantly) pay taxes on their product. This is a large undertaking, so if you intend to do this, do your legal research and plan accordingly. Homebrew Heaven's position: We sell equipment, books and supplies that have legal uses and we do not encourage illegal uses. Further, we DISCOURAGE you from using them in an illegal fashion by advising you of the consequences. We accept no legal responsibility for your behavior. Employees are not allowed to offer you advice on how to use these products illegally. Welcome to the land of the free (and the home of the brave!).

  • Alcoholometer

  • buy Alcoholometer
  • Price: $11.95
  • Used to measure alcohol content in distilled spirits. Similar in use to a brewing hydrometer, but measures in a different range. You must float the alcoholometer in a sample to obtain a reading. Also called a proof & traille hydrometer.
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  • Turbo Air Still - Simple to Use Distiller

  • buy Turbo Air Still - Simple to Use Distiller
  • Price: $239.95
  • Simple to use, this small tabletop distiller uses an air fan to produce a high quality distillate in about 2 hours. No water supply is needed. Click on name for legal disclosure regarding distillation of alcohol.
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  • Super Start Distiller's Yeast 1lb

  • buy Super Start Distiller's Yeast 1lb
  • Price: $9.95
  • One POUND pkg. Ferments to about 18-21% before "giving up". Use nutrients to obtain the highest alcohol level prior to distillation (which of course is NOT legal as a beverage!). Usually not used for wines or beers. Sufficient for approx 300-500 gallons
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  • Alcotec 24 Hour Turbo Yeast

  • buy Alcotec 24 Hour Turbo Yeast
  • Price: $8.50
  • An extremely fast yeast for distillation purposes. Capable of making 5.5 gallons of 13% alcohol in 24 hours. Click on name for more instructions on how to use..
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  • Copper Mesh Packing

  • buy Copper Mesh Packing
  • Price: $15.95
  • Copper mesh makes an excellent column packing due to its very high surface area, with the combined benefits of adding copper to the distillation column, such as reduction in sulfur compounds. 30ft. length, sufficient for a 2" x 36" column.
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  • Air Still Companion Pack

  • buy Air Still Companion Pack
  • Price: $55.95
  • All the Equipment you need to use with your air still. Contains fermenting container with spigot, a graduated cup, and a special funnel with built in carbon filter.
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  • (Glass) Alcoholometer Test Jar

  • buy (Glass) Alcoholometer Test Jar
  • Price: $10.75
  • All glass cylinder and bottom, with a plastic base and "bumper" in case it gets knocked. Essential for testing high-alcohol distillates because plastic test jars DISSOLVE! Use with your alcoholometer to determine % alcohol. Inside Dim. 1.12" X 12" tall.
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  • Air Still Ingredient Pack

  • buy Air Still Ingredient Pack
  • Price: $10.95
  • Contains Triple Distilled Yeast & Nutrients (Dry Pack), Turbo Carbon (wet mix), Two Part Fining Agent, Carbon Cartridges. For use with the Air Still home distiller.
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  • Wyeast #4347 Eau De Vie (Liquid Culture)

  • buy Wyeast #4347 Eau De Vie (Liquid Culture)
  • Price: $6.95
  • A very good choice for high alcohol tolerance and stuck fermentations. Produces a very clean, dry profile, low ester and other volatile aromatics. Capable of fermenting to 21% alcohol. Ferment at 65-80 deg F. For cordials, eau de vie, barleywines.
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  • "The Alaskan Bootlegger's Bible" - Book

  • buy
  • Price: $24.95
  • Ever wonder how a still is made? Well wonder no more, there are 8 types illustrated here and while it's illegal to use a still for producing a beverage, the illustrations are so complete you could build one. Click on name for table of contents.
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  • "Moonshine Made Simple and Still Makers Manual"

  • buy
  • Price: $13.95
  • Easy to follow layout covers fermentation, distillation and flavoring of your own spirits (in places where that is legal!). Also discusses the design and building of stills for many purposes, as alcoholic beverages, as a fuel, and the extraction of oils.
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  • Prestige Citron (Lemon) Vodka

  • buy Prestige Citron (Lemon) Vodka
  • Price: $4.95
  • Lemon Vodka is a lightly spiced lemon vodka. Drink neat or mix with orange, lemon or pineapple juice, Schweppe´s® Russian, etc. Click for instructions
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  • Premium Whisky Profile Kit

  • buy Premium Whisky Profile Kit
  • Price: $59.95
  • Still Spirits Whisky Profile Kit contains 14 whisky flavour notes to design and build your own whisky styles. Flavour notes include Oak Cask, Sweet Vanilla, Peat Smoke, Astringent Notes, Fruity Esters, Cereal Notes, Carob Notes, Cedar Oak and more.
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  • Electric Hotplate - 1100 Watt

  • buy Electric Hotplate - 1100 Watt
  • Price: $42.95
  • 1100W Solid Element Electric Hotplate that is ideal for use with small stills. Features variable control heat and adjustable leveling leg. 110 volt. (color may differ from example photo)
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  • 30" Stainless Steel Racking Cane

  • buy 30
  • Price: $13.95
  • Made of Type 316 Stainless Steel. This is likely the last siphon you will ever need. 5/16" I.D. siphon tubing recommended, 3/8" would work in a pinch. Includes an anti-sediment tip to reduce carry over of sediment.
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  • Still Spirits (Classic) Turbo Distiller's Yeast

  • buy Still Spirits (Classic) Turbo Distiller's Yeast
  • Price: $10.95
  • To achieve a FASTER fermentation Turbo Distiller's Yeast is used. This is one of the best, cleanest yeasts, and complex nutrient mixes available. Ferments to 18% alcohol. No higher quality is available. Very low in volatiles. Click on name for details
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