Categories
Recent Articles
-
Sodium Metabisulphite vs. Campden Tablets April 01, 2022
-
Whisky, Bourbon or Moonshine Recipe (using Malted Barley) August 24, 2020
-
Naartjie Brandy or Mampoer Recipe August 24, 2020

Articles Relating to Spirit Recipes by Distillique
The section for Home Distillers looking for Inspiration, Ideas and Recipes to try.
PLEASE NOTE: Recipes in this section is for Home Distilling only and not necessarily suitable or legal for Commercial Distilling. Most of these recipes were also not developed by Distillique, but contributed by clients or other third parties. Distillique therefore cannot accept any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of the recipes.
How do I Clone a Commercial Spirit Product?
The short answer is that you can't. There are too many variables involved in making a spirit product, and if you do not control each of these variables exactly, you will not get the same quality product. If we just look at some of the variables involved in whisky production, you would need to know (and have access too):
- The same Raw Material (type of grain and cultivar)
- The same Enzyme Source (type, quality and treatment)
- The same Conversion Protocol (conversion temperatures and time periods)
- The same Yeast Strain
- The same Fermentation Protocol (temperature range, pH, starting and target SG levels)
- The same Still Type(s) (and the methodology in running it, vapor temperatures, %ABV for cuts)
- The same Barrel Types (size, wood, treatment of wood, previous use)
- The same Barrel Aging Area (temperature, humidity, air pressure, time in barrel)
- And even with ALL this information, you still won't get it right, because the fact is that you will never be able to replicate or clone the decisions and choices made by the Distiller and Blenders, and let us not forget that most commercial products are blended from many different barrels or batches in order to achieve a consistent flavor profile, and as a Home or Craft Distiller, you will not have access to that.
The question you need to ask yourself is "Why would you want to Clone another person's product?" If you actually do manage to clone Jack Daniels (as an example) 100%, then the best thing anyone could ever say about your product is "WOW! This tastes just like Jack Daniels!"
What's the point?
Be daring, be original and use the recipes in this section as a guide to get you started, and get you experimenting.
Can I just do anything I want in a Spirit?
As a Home or Hobby Distiller, anything goes. Just one rule - don't poison anyone.
As a Commercial or Craft Distiller, or a Home Distiller doing product development, you are limited by what you are allowed to do in your spirit product by Legislation. In South Africa, this will be the National Liquor Products Act Regulations, where the Spirit Category determines what Raw Materials and Processes you are allowed to use in the manufacturing of the Product, and Table 6, determines what Substances you are allowed to add to the product after distillation.
-
Sodium Metabisulphite vs. Campden Tablets
onIf you are a producer in the food and beverage industry, you are well aware of the importance of working in a clean and sanitary environment to prevent the spoilage of your product. The spoilage of food and beverages is mainly due to contamination through harmful and unwanted micro-organisms. Cleaning and sanitising are terms describing two very different processes. Cleaning is the process... -
Whisky, Bourbon or Moonshine Recipe (using Malted Barley)
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the purpose... -
Naartjie Brandy or Mampoer Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the... -
Lemon Brandy or Mampoer Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the... -
Orange Brandy or Mampoer Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the... -
Banana Brandy or Mampoer Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the... -
Guava Brandy or Mampoer Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the... -
Mango Brandy or Mampoer Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the... -
Apple Brandy (Calvados) or Mampoer Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the... -
Pineapple Brandy or Mampoer Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the... -
Apricot Brandy or Mampoer Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the... -
Nectarine Brandy or Mampoer Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the... -
Peach Brandy or Mampoer Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for... -
Grape Brandy or Witblits Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for... -
How do I make Rum?
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy, or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the purpose... -
Pineapple Beer Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the purpose... -
Whisky, Bourbon or Moonshine Recipe (using Enzymes)
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the purpose... -
High Strength Ginger Beer with Ginger Syrup Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the purpose... -
Low Strength - Sweet Style Ginger Beer Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the purpose... -
High Strength Ginger Beer Recipe (using Lennon Jamaika Ginger)
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the purpose... -
Basic Apple Cider Recipe - Brew your own Alcoholic Cider
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the purpose... -
Bourbon Grain Bills - What Grain(s) should I use?
onSo, you want to make your own Bourbon? What do you need, and what do you need to know in order to make Bourbon (or Whisky)? Can I trust information on the Internet or Social Media? Yes, I recognize the irony in posting on the Internet about not trusting information on the Internet, but let us move past that. The fact of... -
Chasing the Green Fairy - Absinthe Facts and Fiction
onAbsinthe (The green fairy spirits) has shown a remarkable revival the last 20 years after having been banned in most of Europe for almost a hundred years. Although there were no legal definitions for Absinthe (except for Switzerland), until its inclusion into EU Liquor Legislation, there are very good guidelines on what makes a good, and what makes an inferior absinthe. Also, not a... -
Chocolate Bourbon Balls Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the purpose... -
Apple Pie Vodka or Rum Recipe
onDISCLAIMER: Distillique does not believe in providing and selling recipes, as this goes against the Craft of producing your own products. The recipes we share have been sourced from clients and other sources, and as such, Distillique takes no responsibility and makes no guarantees regarding the quality, accuracy or safety of these recipes. Recipes are used at own risk, and are for the purpose... -
How to make your own Yeast Nutrients
onAs explained in our Article about successful fermentations, Nutrients play a very important in Yeast propagation and fermentation. Among these nutrients there are two main categories, namely Macro and Micro Nutrients. What are Yeast Macro Nutrients? The first, Macro nutrients, are those that are required in large concentrations, and they include magnesium sulphate, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), thiamine, hydro-chloride, calcium pantothenate, folic acid, niacin, ammonium... -
Recipe for Whisky Rusks
onDuring every Whisky Course we like to mention to trainees the possible uses of the grain solids after Gelatinization and Conversion. Following his attendance, Chimpi Nortje took it one step further ... Thanks for sharing Chimpi Ingredients 3 packs (500g) self-raising flour 20 ml baking powder 10 ml salt 300g sugar 4 eggs (beaten) 500 ml buttermilk 250 ml milk 650 ml melted butter... -
Making Invert Sugar at Home
onDistillers use Invert Sugar to make proper liqueurs, Old Tom Gins, for Obscuration and for Mouth Feel Enhancement. Simple Invert Sugar Recipe To make 1 kilogram of Invert Sugar, you need: Extra Fine Granulated Sugar (think Castor Sugar) 1 kg Water 480 ml Citric Acid 1 g Invert Sugar Methodology If you have an induction cook top or an electric stove use these options...