The hobby of home distilling is growing in popularity each year with the rise in popularity of boutique spirits and craft distilleries.
Although it is illegal to create and sell moonshine (produced whiskey or other spirits), it is not illegal to own equipment to make moonshine; In many regions, users can apply for a permit to produce ethanol, a useful fuel with a variety of uses.
You are reading: Best books on distilling
If you’re looking for a moonshine still, whiskey still, or any other type of alcoholic, look no further.
Alcohol distilling books are an excellent approach to learning about the exquisite art and technique of distilling spirits. I’ll be sharing with you a vast collection of distilling and moonshine books I’ve read, covering everything from alcohol recipes to the science of distilling to how to start a distillery.
There are a lot of books on distilling, so I’ve narrowed it down to a few essential distilling books for anyone who owns a distillery or wants to pursue a distillery as a hobby. These books I have listed will help you with just about everything you will need to start distilling or for anyone interested in starting a small or nano distillery. take a look at each item’s page in the book to see what’s inside
1. making straight corn whiskey: a professional guide for hobbyists and micro-distillers by ian smiley
I think this is a detailed book on home distilling that focuses on small-scale whiskey making. Each step in the process of turning fresh grain into whiskey is described in depth, including simple and inexpensive equipment manufacturing methods and full operating instructions.
The book has everything cleverly designed for home and hobby distilleries, as well as micro-distilleries. all equipment and processes were based on those used in commercial distilleries. originals.
It is truly a wonderful book for anyone who is just starting out. I found the basics of distillation to be described in a straightforward and easy to understand manner. In the last few pages of the book, there is a brief history of moonshine production, as well as several wonderful recipes for whiskey mash.
Many inexperienced distillers have trouble making cutbacks. ian does an excellent job of teaching how to make cuts between the first portion of the collected alcohol that can be mixed,
The main distillate or condensed vapor is collected from the still. most pot stills create tails, which are the last component of the alcohol produced, as well as how these tails affect the flavor and profile of the whisky.
When you have finished reading this book, you will have a thorough understanding of not only how to create whiskey.
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2. moonshine by matthew rowley
Matthew B. rowley has written a book called “moonshine”. this book is packed with useful information and at the same time it is a lot of fun to read. takes you on a journey through the history of moonshine production, from its beginnings in the 19th century to today’s libations.
I found this book to be one of America’s most protected beverage authoritative publications, with “recipes, stories, drinking songs, historical stuff, knee bumps” and more. In this illustrated tome, you’ll definitely learn about the history of moonshine, how to consume it, and more.
These are some of my favorite aspects of the book:
This book is very informative. Moonshine not only teaches you how to make your own moonshine, it also gives you a comprehensive overview of America’s illustrious history of alcohol.
rowell employs wit and humor to create a book that is as entertaining as it is educational. Moonlight! is a fantastic book on the subject because of this, as well as the whimsical illustrations.
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3. the complete distiller (2nd edition)-by michael nixon and michael mccaw
The book was published in December 2010. This is the most comprehensive book ever written on the subject of home distillation. from elementary concepts to a detailed explanation of the physics behind it all, it’s all covered.
High-yield fermentation procedures are described in detail, allowing flexibility while maintaining efficiency. Each small still form is analyzed, revealing a plethora of ways in which they could be improved. Methods for extracting essential oils and scents from plant materials are contrasted and detailed instructions are provided.
The first part of the book comprehensively covers all process topics in a way that is the perfect balance between scientific theory and practical application. this book not only explains what is happening, but also why it is happening, through acceptable but accurate scientific description.
The second part of the book is a deep dive into high school chemistry, physics, and chemical engineering. Without the context of having posted a still before, and an appetite for scientific theory, this can be quite hard to digest, but regardless of whether you choose to read it or skip it, for now, it’s a great reference book to have on the shelf. . at all times.
This book is not meant to be a recipe book for going from wash to whiskey in less than two hours. in fact, you won’t even find a step-by-step guide. instead, you’ll learn key theories behind each step of the process, and the next time your reflux ratio changes unexpectedly, or you’re struggling to reach the azeotrope, you’ll have the knowledge to understand the causes and the tools to fix it!
This book is for you if you have a basic understanding of distillation principles and want to learn more. reviews in depth the chemical and mechanical processes that occur during the distillation process.
our recommendation?
If you are completely new to distilling, this book can be confusing (in my opinion). it’s a mecca of knowledge, but if you’re just starting out, this can be a bit intimidating.
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for intermediate/advanced hobbyists (or professionals), this is literally a distillers bible.
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4. the craftsman’s guide to making malle and schmickl distilled spirits
Find out why The Craftsman’s Guide to Distilled Spirits Making was dubbed “The Standard Reference Work for All Home Distillers” by Die Zeit Magazine.
the standard reference work for all home stills
This timeless work takes a deep dive into the distillation process of moonshine and other spirits, starting at the molecular level.
Bettina Malle and Helge Schmickle wrote the book, which is divided into twelve chapters including “The Basics and Traditions of Alcohol Distilling,” “Masses,” “Alembics,” “Distillation,” and more.
What makes this book an excellent resource for anyone interested in moonshine and the distillation process in general? Well, The Artisan’s Guide to Making Distilled Spirits is unlike any other guide on the market in terms of scientific accuracy and explanation. Malle and Schmickl are experienced distillers with a strong background in chemical chemistry, as shown in the text.
Even if you are an experienced home distiller, you will find something useful in this book. This fantastic book has something for everyone when it comes to making moonshine, with lots of tips and ideas on how to make a better batch.
our recommendation?
This book is a fairly broad brush of most aspects of distillation. that is, it touches on all aspects of the process, but perhaps goes into enough detail in most cases.
The exception to this is the matter of making fruit purees to distill liqueurs and brandies. there is clear experience on this subject and the book provides information that I have not been able to find anywhere else.
So if you’re an aficionado just starting out or have a particular penchant for fruit spirits, then this is a great book to start with.
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make fine spirits – by zymurgy
zymurgy bob was there from the beginning of the craft distilling movement, and even before it started. He has been working with alcohol fermentation and distillation since 1951. He has been monitoring small-scale distillation forums and answering thousands of inquiries since the internet’s inception.
This book starts with plans to create a small test in a day and step-by-step instructions on how to run it and test your processes. The author shares his wealth of knowledge and experience in this book. Recipes and instructions on how to upgrade and enlarge to any size are included.
This is a great guide to get you started if you’re new to distilling and want to make a high-quality, naturally flavored spirit like whiskey, brandy, or rum using a classic pot still.
with extensive instructions on how to run it and plans to make a small coffee maker. You’ll discover how to turn store-bought wine into delicious brandy. In the later chapters of this book, you’ll learn how to build a larger 5-gallon and 15-gallon still, as well as how to design and ferment washes to make the best spirits.
our recommendation?
This is an incredibly enjoyable read. The author has a meticulous understanding of pot still, so if he’s looking to perfect a world-class whiskey or rum, then this is a must-read.
The other highlight of this book is the detailed plans for making a small coffee maker and then a larger one. if you like to DIY, these tutorials offer great ideas.
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the alaska smuggler’s bible by leon
Looking for something a little less complicated but just as useful? The Alaska Bootlegger’s Bible, a comprehensive instruction manual for the production of moonshine and other alcoholic beverages, is a must-have.
Learn how to produce wine, beer, strong cider, and lacquerware, among other beverages. the book will show you how to make strong moonshine whiskey as well as strong moonshine whiskey.
what’s the best part? This book not only teaches you how to make moonshine and other fine spirits, it also explains the equipment you’ll need in detail so you can get it right the first time.
this book by leon w. kania, mr. it has some distinct advantages. You will be hard pressed to find a more comprehensive guide to the production of moonshine and other alcoholic beverages. Author Kania, Mr. knows what he’s talking about, and how to communicate that information to you on the page, with more than three decades of experience in the field. In this insider’s guide, he’ll learn how to make legendary liqueurs for you and your friends using a variety of recipes.
the alaska bootlegger’s bible replaces technical jargon with easy-to-understand terms and principles that will have even the most inexperienced brewers producing flawless batches.
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automatic still image design and construction -by riku
The knowledge of a craft distiller and the engineering precision of an equipment designer must be balanced. this book graphically shows what can be achieved when both skills are used.
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Automatic reflux (arc) control is the newest approach in amateur distillation, taking all the guesswork out of regulating a still to ensure it produces the best output with the least amount of fuss and oversight.
The idea behind the arc is to use the temperature in the upper section of the still to keep both production and reflux ratio at optimal levels, ensuring outstanding results.
This book is a must read if you plan to create your own reflow system. there are excellent illustrations to help you understand reflux still designs.
If you purchase this book, you will also gain access to the arc forum, which is managed by the author and provides answers to book-related queries, recent research, and help with ongoing build and operation issues.
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The Joy of Home Distilling: The Ultimate Guide to Making Your Own Vodka, Whiskey, Rum, Schnapps, and Brandy
The Joy of Home Distilling is one of the most comprehensive books on the market, and is a must for anyone new to moonshine. This book offers everything you need (and more) to make the perfect batch of moonshine, from step-by-step instructions that go over the various distillation procedures to unique recipes you’ll want to try.
In addition, the book contains vital legal information that can help you comply with the law and avoid problems when brewing your own beer.
what attracted me to this book in the first place?
simply, nothing is left out of this manual.
Carbon filtration, flavor and aging, and the post-distillation process are all thoroughly scrutinized to ensure you have everything you need to get started.
This book can be used by both beginning and intermediate distillers, making it a more advanced guide. Even if he has previous experience with moonshine or alcohol distilling, he will find this book extremely helpful.
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the alaskan bootlegger’s bible: brewing, wine, spirits, and moonshine whiskey by leon w. kania
This book will teach you how to produce moonshine beer, wine, spirits, and whiskey. the author draws on over thirty years of experience to show you how to do it right. he not only shows you how to make almost any type of beer, wine, liquor or whiskey you can think of, but he also shows you how to make the necessary equipment.
This book is a quick read that includes Alaskan legends and smuggler lore, as well as helpful information on how to make beer, wine, spirits, and whiskey. It also includes detailed instructions for making the necessary equipment, like plans to make your scales and even a malt factory from an old freezer.
The book features eight different types of still images, each with great illustrations that make it easy to build at home. This book will keep you entertained with Alaskan stories and smuggler lore while teaching you how to create everything from flower beer and wines to horse manure whiskey and bath gin. if you buy a book, this is the one. It’s equivalent to getting a whole shelf of books for the price of one!
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how to master moonshine by marshall
Would you rather see the moonshine manufacturing process than read about it? this is the book for you: how to master moonshine.
This educational book shows you how to make rum, vodka, whiskey, gin and moonshine, among other spirits and spirits. author rw marshall reviews safety tips and tried-and-true recipes to help you make and consume spirits that are likely to be a hit, designed to combat misleading material on the internet.
Marshall’s comprehensive reference to the manufacture of moonshine and spirits is one of the most comprehensive currently available on the market, at 181 pages. This extensive guide introduces readers to the legend and procedures of moonshine and other spirits, and includes so many recipes that you’ll have a hard time deciding which to try first.
how to beat moonshine is packed with fascinating facts and trivia, making it one of the most entertaining books of its kind. You’ll want to make sure you have this book on your shelf if you’re looking for a book that’s not only easy to follow but also enjoyable to read.
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conclusion
Just around the corner is the perfect batch of moonshine. You’ll be able to prepare a variety of moonshine and spirits recipes, as well as gain a better understanding of the distillation process from the top moonshine book titles mentioned in this guide.
You can use the insights in this guide to make plain whiskeys or flavored moonshine.
Use this guide to choose the perfect book for your needs!
If you read these ten books, you’ll be ready to start making moonshine on your own. not only will you have the information, but you will also be able to build and operate your own still.
📖 are you interested in other spirits? read our other carefully selected articles on books for other spirits:
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