Distillique Articles

March 17, 2026

Starting a Distillery in South Africa: the compliance-first order of operations

Starting a distillery is not just about buying equipment. It is building a regulated production facility with excise controls, safety...

August 27, 2025

Fire, Spirits & Semantics: Curious Tales from Alcohol’s Long History

The story of alcohol is not just about fermentation and distillation — it’s a tapestry woven from culture, catastrophe, language,...

August 27, 2025

How to Use an Essencier: The Essential Oil Separator Every Distiller Needs

By Gert Bosman, 2013 – Updated 2024 If you’ve moved beyond hobby-level essential oil distilling, you’ll know that using a...

March 27, 2025

From Cane to Glass: The Journey of Cachaça

Ever wondered how fresh sugarcane juice transforms into Brazil’s national spirit? The journey from field to fermentation, distillation, and aging...

March 27, 2025

Cachaça Unveiled: Understanding the Spirit Through a Legislative Lens

Not all cachaças are created equal! Brazil has strict regulations defining what can and cannot be labeled as cachaça—from fermentation...

March 27, 2025

Cachaça: The Soul of Brazil

Brazil’s most iconic spirit has a history as rich as its flavor. Cachaça is more than just a drink—it’s a...

February 19, 2025

Protected Purity: Norwegian Aquavit Regulations

Traditional Norwegian Aquavit, also known as Norsk Akevitt, Norsk Aquavit, or Norsk Akvavit, is a spirit deeply rooted in heritage and...

February 19, 2025

Aquavit: A Journey Through History, Tradition, and Innovation

Aquavit, the iconic Scandinavian spirit, has a rich history dating back to the late Middle Ages. Rooted in Nordic culture,...

January 28, 2025

How to Choose the Best Honey for Mead Making

Mead is an ancient beverage deeply connected to its primary ingredient: honey. Just as grape varieties shape the identity of...

November 08, 2024

Mead: The Ancient Elixir with a Rich, Global Legacy

Mead, often referred to as "honey wine," is one of the oldest known alcoholic beverages, with a fascinating and storied...

November 08, 2024

Introducing Xperimental: Distillique’s Bold New Brand Inviting Young Adults to Craft the Unexpected

Distillique, a leader in the craft distilling industry, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new brand, Xperimental. Designed for...

August 07, 2024

The impact of boiler shape on spirit quality during distillation

The shape of the boiler of your still has a great impact on the quality of your distilled alcohol. This article...

August 06, 2024

Can an Alembic head be upside down...and if so, why is it wrong??

Conical alembic heads of stills should not be installed upside-down as it negatively impacts both the quality of the spirits...

July 10, 2024

Sorghum Syrup vs. Molasses: Understanding the Differences for Distilling

When it comes to sweeteners used in distilling, sorghum syrup and molasses often come up in conversation. While they may...

July 10, 2024

Raw Materials Series: Grains/Cereals

The Mighty Grains: A Cornerstone of Human Progress For thousands of years, grains have been small but mighty forces driving...

June 04, 2024

Raw Materials for Fermentation and Distillation: Focus on Fruits

Last month, we delved into the world of molasses as a key raw material for fermentation and distillation. This month,...

May 02, 2024

Alcohol Origin, Ingredients and Processes Infographic

Discover an exploration of the origins, ingredients, and intricate processes behind a diverse array of alcohols worldwide. Delve into this...

March 25, 2024

Turning Milk Byproduct into Eco-Friendly Fuel

Exploring the Dairy Distillery Revolution: In the heart of eastern Ontario, Dairy Distillery, renowned for its innovative "Vodkow" spirit distilled...

February 26, 2024

Beginner Home Distiller Series: Understanding Basic Measuring Equipment

In the world of home distillation, precision is key. Whether you're measuring the density of your mash or monitoring the...

February 26, 2024

From Waste to Taste: Repurposing used Gin Botanicals

Traditionally discarded as unusable byproduct, botanical waste holds untapped potential as a flavourful culinary ingredient. Read more to learn how to...

January 25, 2024

Beginner Home Distiller Series: Understanding Fermentation

Welcome to the exciting world of home distillation! In our first instalment of the Beginner Home Distiller series, we'll delve...

January 25, 2024

Decoding Millennial Alcohol Consumption Trends

The alcohol industry is changing, and at the helm of this transformation are the Millennials. With their future purchasing power,...

October 30, 2023

The History of South African Brandy

In 1672 an assistant cook aboard the Dutch ship ‘de Pijl’ anchored at Table Bay discovered the potential of local...

How to bend copper pipe and tube make your own condensers.

June 06, 2023

How to bend copper pipe and tube to make your own condensers.

Bending copper tube and pipe is easy - Even if you have to do really tight coils.

June 06, 2023

Blue distillate - and how to correct it

First published on Distillique's website in 2015 by GM Bosman If ever you distil your mash and find that you...

March 27, 2023

Digital pH meters vs pH test strips

Digital pH meters and pH test strips are both commonly used to measure the pH level of a solution,...

March 22, 2023

Essential Steps to Follow When Opening a Craft Distillery: An Overview

Embarking on the journey of starting a craft distillery is an exciting yet challenging venture that demands a great deal...

August 16, 2022

Simple Electrical control boxes - or are they simple?

Electrical control boxes for stills becomes much more than just boxes and switches. The moment you're considering to distil craft...

June 27, 2022

Mampoer Championships 2022

KULTUUR STOKERS GILDE MAMPOERFEES 2 JULIE 2022, MET MAMPOER-KAMPIOENSKAPPE OP DONDERDAG 30 JUNIE 2022. Inleiding: Ons nooi alle Kultuurstokers en...

May 04, 2022

Essential Oil Extraction through Steam Distillation

Essential oils Essential oils are aromatic oils originating from various parts of the plant, such as the flowers, roots,...

April 01, 2022

Sodium Metabisulphite vs. Campden Tablets

If you are a producer in the food and beverage industry, you are well aware of the importance of working...

January 18, 2022

Distillery Waste Management Plan

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman Note: This plan was written based on requirements for a Micro-Liquor Manufacturing...

January 18, 2022

What is Craft Spirits? - Should there be a legal definition?

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman “Craft Spirits” “Craft Distilleries” “Handcrafted” The list goes on. Over the last...

January 18, 2022

Growing the Craft Spirit Industry - Would you like to contribute?

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman In the Global Beverage Market, the Craft Spirit Industry is probably one...

January 18, 2022

Converting Carbohydrates to Simple Sugars with Artificial Enzymes

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman So Malted Barley is the conventional source of Enzymes for the Starch...

January 18, 2022

Liquor Production Licenses - What to watch out for

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman For some time now the whole South African Liquor License Industry has...

January 18, 2022

Smells, Aromas, Bouquets, Flavors and other Olfactory Stuff

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman Most of us have not been taught aroma descriptors, or aroma names,...

January 18, 2022

Bacterial Infections in Fermentations

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman Bacterial and mold Infections are unfortunate but not uncommon occurrences in fermentations,...

January 18, 2022

Closed Cooling Systems for Craft & Home Distillers and the challenges

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman More and more we receive inquiries regarding Closed Cooling Systems. This refers...

January 18, 2022

10 Steps to a Successful Fermentation

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman The most common type of inquiry we receive at Distillique refers to...

January 18, 2022

Monitoring Fermentations

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman The continuous monitoring of fermentations is a common technique used in Beer...

January 18, 2022

Failed Fermentations and Fixing Them

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman IMPORTANT – This Article refers to methods and information covered in two...

January 18, 2022

Factors to Consider for increasing the Perceived Value of your Product

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman In an ideal world, our products will speak for themselves, value would...

January 18, 2022

Handy Sugar Calculations

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman Sugar is the most important chemical component in the production of alcohol...

January 18, 2022

Responsible Drinking - The Two Types of Alcohol Poisoning

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman One of the dangers involved with the consumption of alcohol is Alcohol...

January 18, 2022

How to drink Vodka, Brandy and Whisk(e)y

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman VODKA Preparation: To begin with, vodka should be frozen. Specifically, it should...

January 18, 2022

How Barrels Work and How to Care for Them

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman Oak barrels are more than just expensive liquid-tight containers that give oak...

January 18, 2022

What you will need to make your own Mampoer or Fruit Brandy

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman The French call it Eau de Vie, the Germans call it Schnapps,...

January 18, 2022

How to use a Jacketed Boiler

First published on Distillique's website 2015 GM Bosman When Lost Creek Distillery first started up their brand new 250lt and...

Using Steam Wands to bring Fermentations a Boil faster

January 18, 2022

Using Steam Wands to bring Fermentations to a Boil faster

First published on Distillique's website in 2015 by GM Bosman In an earlier article we discussed the use of jacketed boilers...

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