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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!).



"Home Distillation Handbook" - Book "Home Distillation Handbook" - Book -- $16.95 -- From Sweden, where the distillation of alcohol (as a beverage) is legal. Tells how to distill quality alcohol at home, inexpensively and safely. It is NOT legal in the U.S. to do so, however.
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"Making Pure Corn Whiskey" - Book "Making Pure Corn Whiskey" - Book -- $25.00 -- Gives a thorough treatment of the history and the methods of making whiskey, and explains how to make a high-separation fractionating still to distill it with. This process is also used to make real rum, brandy, and schnapps in countries where it is legal
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"Moonshine Made Simple and Still Makers Manual" "Moonshine Made Simple and Still Makers Manual" -- $11.95 -- 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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"Moonshine!" "Moonshine!" -- $17.95 -- Outlines the basic process from fermentation through to pot distillation, along with a how-to on building a traditional type pot distiller. A number of traditional recipes for Whisky, Rum, Schnapps, and more. Tall tales, knee-slappers!
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"The Alaskan Bootlegger's Bible" - Book "The Alaskan Bootlegger's Bible" - Book -- $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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"The Compleat Distiller" - Book "The Compleat Distiller" - Book -- $25.00 -- There has never before been a book published on the subject of home distillation as comprehensive as this. Every aspect is covered, from first principles to a clear explanation of the science behind it all. High yield fermentation techniques are described
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"The Lore Of Still Building" - Book "The Lore Of Still Building" - Book -- $9.95 -- The design of every type of small still is examined, revealing many ways in which they may be improved. A primer on the production of alcohol for food and fuel. For "historical" purposes.
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(Glass) Alcoholometer Test Jar (Glass) Alcoholometer Test Jar -- $10.50 -- 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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Activated Stone Carbon - 1.5 lbs. Package Activated Stone Carbon - 1.5 lbs. Package -- $11.95 -- Premium food grade quality activated stone carbon. 0.4 to 0.85 mm granule size for best results. It is best to wet the carbon first with water, before slowly passing your spirits thru.
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  • Activated Stone Carbon - 50 lb Bag -- $225.00 -- Premium food grade quality activated stone carbon. 0.4 to 0.85 mm granule size for best results.
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    Alcoholometer Alcoholometer -- $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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    Coconut Rum Essence Coconut Rum Essence -- $4.95 -- coconut rum essence is used in drinks such as pina colada's and other refreshing tropical drinks.
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    Copper Mesh Packing Copper Mesh Packing -- $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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  • Corn Sugar, Bulk 50 Lb. Bag -- $45.95 -- Easily (and quickly) fermentable sugar. Raises alcohol content.
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    Electric Hotplate - 1100 Watt Electric Hotplate - 1100 Watt -- $39.95 -- 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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  • Glass Thermometer, 12" Long Thin Stem -- $12.25 -- It is extremely important, when distilling, to have complete temperature control. This thermometer is a replacement for the Essential Extractor and the Still Spirits brands of stills. -20 to 100 deg C range. Precision thermometer.
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    Gray Kangaroo Personal Liquor Filter Gray Kangaroo Personal Liquor Filter -- $31.95 -- The Gray Kangaroo filters all kinds of hard liquor without affecting the alcohol content! You can make a undrinkable under-the-bridge whiskey into a sippin' whiskey. Turns cheap vodka into super PREMIUM vodka. We tried it, and it works! Click for details
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    Gray Kangaroo Replacement Filter Cartridge Gray Kangaroo Replacement Filter Cartridge -- $16.95 -- After 50 litres or so of filtered liquor, it's time to replace the filter cartridge.
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    Prestige 24 Hour Turbo Yeast Prestige 24 Hour Turbo Yeast -- $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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    Prestige 48 Hour Turbo Yeast Prestige 48 Hour Turbo Yeast -- $7.50 -- An amazing all-round superyeast for distillation purposes. Ferments to 13-14% alcohol. With additional time and sugar, is capable of going to 20%. Not particularly temperature sensitive. Click on name for instructions
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    Prestige Bombay Gin Prestige Bombay Gin -- $4.95 -- Bombay Gin features a mild, pure flavor of juniper. Mix with tonic or make a dry martini by mixing with vermouth.
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    Prestige Bourbon Whiskey Essence Prestige Bourbon Whiskey Essence -- $4.95 -- Bourbon Whisky is an American aromatic corn whisky without a smoky flavor. Good on the rocks, or with soda, ginger ale, orange juice or Cola. Click for instructions
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    Prestige Canadian Whiskey Essence Prestige Canadian Whiskey Essence -- $4.95 -- Canadian Whiskey is a typically Canadian whiskey, rich but mild flavor without smokiness. Click for instructions.
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    Prestige Citron (Lemon) Vodka Prestige Citron (Lemon) Vodka -- $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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    Prestige Dark Jamaican Rum Essence Prestige Dark Jamaican Rum Essence -- $4.95 -- Extra Dark Jamaican Rum is a classic dark rum of the highest quality. Drink neat or mix with cola, pineapple, etc. Click for instructions.
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    Prestige Grappa Essence Prestige Grappa Essence -- $4.95 -- Grappa is a pot-distilled liquor made from the remnants of grapes after wine pressing. It has a very specific and powerful taste. Pour the contents into a 25 fl oz bottle (one fifth). Fill 3/4 full with vodka, shake the bottle. Top up w/vodka.
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    Prestige Irish Whiskey Essence Prestige Irish Whiskey Essence -- $4.95 -- Irish Whisky is particularly suitable for mixed drinks. Try an Irish Coffee: 2 oz. whisky, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, fill up with coffee and top with whipped cream. Click for instructions
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    Prestige Orange Brandy (Apelsin) Essence Prestige Orange Brandy (Apelsin) Essence -- $4.95 -- Orange Brandy is a dry liqueur that is often drunk straight. In bars it is often mixed with 3/4 sparkling wine or cider (Orange Dream).
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    Prestige Rum Spice Essence Prestige Rum Spice Essence -- $4.95 -- Rum spice is a spiced liquor based on rum. Drink neat or mixed with juice or carbonated drinks. Click for instructions.
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    Prestige Scotch Whisky Essence Prestige Scotch Whisky Essence -- $4.95 -- Scotch Whisky is a whisky particularly suitable for mixed drinks. Mix, for example, with lemonade, cola, orange juice, ginger ale or coffee.
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    Prestige Triple Sec Essence Prestige Triple Sec Essence -- $4.95 -- Absolutely necessary additon for a fine margarita!
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    Prestige White Jamaican Rum Essence Prestige White Jamaican Rum Essence -- $4.95 -- White Jamaican Rum is a rare, exclusive white rum. Drink with cola, orange, lemon or pinapple juice, etc. Click for intstructions
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    Stainless Steel Racking Cane and Hose Stainless Steel Racking Cane and Hose -- $16.50 -- Made of Type 316 Stainless Steel and our Chemical Tolerant Hose, this is likely the last siphon you will ever need. Includes an anti-sediment tip to reduce carry over of sediment. Large size (1/2" ID) and 21" long.
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    Still Spirits (Classic) Turbo Distiller's Yeast Still Spirits (Classic) Turbo Distiller's Yeast -- $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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    Still Spirits Express Turbo Yeast Still Spirits Express Turbo Yeast -- $10.95 -- Converts 9 kg (19.8 lbs) of dextrose (corn sugar) in 25 liters (6.5 gal). A combination of yeast and nutrients for large quantities of pure clean alcohol at moderate temperatures. Net wt 200 grams. BIG package, more alcohol, less work.
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    Super Start Distiller's Yeast 1lb Super Start Distiller's Yeast 1lb -- $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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    Temperature Tolerant Turbo Yeast Temperature Tolerant Turbo Yeast -- $10.95 -- New, from Still Spirits. Ferments from 15-40 deg C. Great for tropical cimates. Clean, quality alcohol. 90 gram package. Sufficient for 6.5 gallons. Capable of achieving 16% alcohol.
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    Whiskey Yeast W/Ag, 23 Grams Whiskey Yeast W/Ag, 23 Grams -- $6.25 -- Ready to make some excellent whiskey? Illegal to do that without a permit in the U.S., of course, but fermentation of the mash is the first and most important step. For research purposes only (in the U.S.)
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    Wine Bottles - Clear - Screw Top (with tops) 750mL Wine Bottles - Clear - Screw Top (with tops) 750mL -- $16.95 -- A clear claret style wine bottle with a plastic screw top (no corks required). Case of 12 bottles with caps.
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    Wyeast #4347 Eau De Vie Wyeast #4347 Eau De Vie -- $6.70 -- XL Pack, sufficient for 10 Gallons. A very good choice for high alcohol tolerance and stuck fermentations. Produces a very clean, dry profile, low ester and other volatile aromatics. For cordials, eau de vie, barleywines. Ferments best at 65-80 deg F.
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