How to Distill Whiskey and Moonshine

Distilling is an ancient technique that people use around the world to turn different plants into delicious drinks. Distilling alcohol (or “spirits”) is a favorite pastime of many, now heavily regulated in the US and other countries. But learning how to distill alcohol like whiskey, moonshine, rum, or vodka is an interesting topic to know about, even if you don’t plan to distill alcohol at home.

In the US, there is nothing illegal about purchasing a fine copper still for sale – you can own a still for decoration and legal distilling. Take a look at the federal laws about getting a permit for distilling alcohol at home, before you choose whether to use your beautiful copper still for sale of whiskey or moonshine, or for just decoration.

Moonshine Stills and the Law

The art and science of distilling moonshine has a long history in the United States and around the world. Distilling alcohol, like whiskey or moonshine, has at times been illegal or severely regulated. For people in the US, many questions remain about buying moonshine stills for sale because of the confusion about the law. With some important information, people can make the decision about whether owning and using a moonshine still is right for them.

Is it legal to buy and own a moonshine still ?

Yes. US Federal law states that it is legal to own a still for decorative or collector purposes. Although many people believe it is illegal to own anything larger than a 1 gallon still, federal law allows for citizens to own whiskey stills of any size.

But: You should check your state and local laws as well. Many places do not allow their citizens to own a moonshine still, or allow people to own them with the right permits.

What are the laws about using my moonshine still?

You can use your still to produce distilled water or essential oils without seeking a permit or reporting to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

However, people buying moonshine or whiskey stills do need to apply for the appropriate permit, if they plan to use their still to produce alcohol, which is also referred to as “spirits.”

If someone wants to purchase a quality moonshine still for sale to produce fuel alcohol for their personal use, the person will need to apply for a free Federal Fuel Alcohol Permit.

If someone wants to own a still to produce beer or wine, he or she will need to follow the appropriate regulations for those alcohols. However, a home spirits distiller must acquire the appropriate licensing and approval, as well as put in place the correct tax payments.

The full laws about owning a moonshine stills to produce, distribute, and sell alcohol can be found at 26 United States Code (U.S.C.) 5042(a)(2) and 5053(e) and 5601.

What about selling my moonshine?

The most complicated process will come if you decide to sell the spirits that you produce. In addition to providing a specific building to keep your still and your moonshine in, you will also need to provide a bond and comply with federal distilling distribution requirements and taxes. In addition to the federal regulations that a moonshine distillery must meet, each state and even some local areas, will require additional licensing.

Find more details at the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 19.

Even if you decide not to use your moonshine still to produce anything, it is still a beautiful decoration to your home. Consider only the best moonshine stills for sale when choosing a still for any purpose. 

What’s the Best Copper Still Design to Make Whiskey ?

Although you can distill whiskey out of any type of copper still, some designs of whiskey stills for sale are superior for making the best whiskey. When you purchase a copper still knowing that you’re going to specifically use it to make whiskey, you may not need to be as concerned about the size of the whiskey still, but you may want to pay a great deal of attention to the design.

The Onion-head Pot Still

The pot still is probably the most basic design of copper stills for sale, used around the world for ages to distill water, alcohol, essential oils, and more. The pot still is comprised of a boiler pot, an onion-head shaped short column, and a condenser coil. Materials are distilled by putting a mash in the boiler pot, heating it, and collecting the condensed steam that collects from the condenser coil.

In general, the rule is that the less distance between the mash and the condenser coil, the more that heavier chemical compounds will make their way into the coil and the final product. These heavier compounds can be different types of alcohol or other micro-compositions that affect the final flavor and strength of your moonshine, wine, whiskey, or other spirit.

If you want a full-bodied, flavorful whiskey, a pot-shaped whiskey still for sale will help you achieve it.

The Conical Column Still

There are some pot stills that use a cone-shaped column to transition from the pot to the condenser coil, rather than an onion-shaped piece. These stills will generally be taller, even when the pot size is comparable, because of the column’s dimensions.

The conical column allows for a refining distillation process called “reflux,” meaning that steam collects at the top of the cone, condenses, and drips back into the pot to be boiled again. This additional evaporation process helps purify the final distillate better than a still without a conical cone, so fine whiskeys may not need additional distillations before reaching the desired purity. The taller the cone, the more reflux can occur.

If you want a lighter flavor to your whiskey, you want whiskey stills for sale with tall conical columns.

The Cylindrical Column Still

A cylinder-shaped column still is an ancient design in which a tall, round column is attached to the top of the still’s pot, separating the pot from the onion head and condenser coil.

While cylindrical column stills are often used to distill water, essential oils, and other spirits beside moonshine or whiskey (such as gin), they can be used if you want a highly refined whiskey, or if you want to infuse a moonshine with the essence of a certain botanical. You may consider a column still if you want to distill vodka or other alcohols, as the greater temperature variation in a cylindrical column still can help with the flavors of these spirits.

However, for a fuller, more robustly flavored whiskey, a column still may filter out too many of the chemical traces that provide the variety that whiskey lovers love.

No matter what type of whiskey flavor you enjoy, enjoy your homemade whiskey responsibly. 

Comparing Types of Copper Moonshine Stills for Sale

When you’re shopping through the many types of copper moonshine or whiskey stills for sale you may have some basic questions before buying a still. This beginner’s guide is here to help you decide what type and size of moonshine still is right for you.

Why Copper ?

First of all, although stills can be made of other material, copper is hands-down the best material used in the finest moonshine and whiskey stills for sale on the market today. Copper’s natural chemistry means that it helps filter toxins, impurities, sulfur, and bacteria out of the steam of the liquid you’re distilling, so your moonshine will be smoother, your essential oils purer, your distilled water cleaner. Whatever you’re distilling, copper is always the best material to make sure that you end up with the highest-quality product.

Copper has the added benefit of being a highly durable material. It is known for even heat distribution, and it is easier to control the temperature in copper moonshine stills. Copper is also easy to clean (just use a healthy dose of white vinegar, hot water, and a flour paste if necessary). Always make sure that the copper still for sale you choose uses 100% lead-free solder. You only want a copper still that is absolutely free of lead.

Pot Still or Column Still ?

Moonshine stills come in two main designs, with some variations. A pot still is a traditional design used for distilling some spirits (such as whiskey and moonshine) and water, although small pot stills might be used to distill some essential oils. Generally, a pot still is made up of four main parts: the pot, the onion head, the condenser coil, and the collection cup. If you can find a pot still with a thermometer built into the onion head, that will give you a great advantage. Always use a collection cup that is metal or glass, never use a plastic collection cup.

A column still is a traditional design used for distilling some spirits (such as vodka) and essential spirits. Because of this design, the column allows steam to cause plant materials to release their essential oils more efficiently than in a pot still, which does not allow for steam distillation. Generally, a column still is made up of five main parts: the pot, the column, the onion head, the condenser coil, and the collection cup.

Some still designs, such as a flip top still, allow a distiller to use the still as either a pot still or a column still. These designs have more working parts and may require more maintenance, but they also provide more versatility for which products you can distill.

What size ?

Depending on what you plan to distill, and how much you will produce, there are many options of the best copper moonshine stills for sale. If you are distilling an essential oil, you will need a large amount of plant material to produce a small amount of oil, so at least a 2.5 gallon copper still is recommended. For water, moonshine, or other spirits, you will produce more product for the amount of raw materials. However, most distillers find that a 5 gallon whiskey still is a good starting size to produce a desirable amount of moonshine.

No matter what you are planning to use your whiskey still to produce, make sure that you choose copper. Then, consider what design and what size you want so you can enjoy your new copper whiskey still.