How to Distill: A Complete Guide from Still Design and Fermentation through Distilling and Aging Spirits

by Aaron Hyde

In How to Distill , you'll learn every aspect of home distilling, from the fundamentals to controlling flavor development to packaging.

Whether you want straightforward information for your first moonshine distillation or you're a home distiller looking to learn more and perfect your gin or bourbon , you've come to the right place. In this book, certified industry expert and knowledgeable home distiller Aaron Hyde lays out the how and why of all the key processes, starting at the mash and fermentation , through distilling , and ending with e xpert information on aging and blending spirits . You'll
 
With reliable, tested information throughout , this is the new standard for distilling.

Genres: Brewing

224 pages, Paperback

Published December 21, 2021

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

How to Distill is a concise and well written guide to stills, fermentation, and the processes involved in making and aging spirits written by Aaron Hyde. Released 21st Dec 2021 by Quarto on their Harvard Common Press imprint, it's 224 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is such an information dense and useful book. I've been brewing for years and although I've brewed apple and plum wines, mead, and other potables, distilling spirits has always been something I wanted to explore "later". I was discouraged because the laws around distilling (for consumption) seemed so antiquated and complex, and the process so involved that I never got anywhere. The author systematically explains the process step by step. He also briefly (very briefly) explores some of the legalities involved, but most of the content is given over to the distillation process: mashing, fermenting, distilling, polishing (filtering), aging (maturation), blending & bottling. Following chapters contain recipes for spirits such as vodka, gin, schnapps, rum, & whiskey.

The book is beautifully illustrated throughout with clear color photos and understandable text. The appendices include tutorials for understanding and making flavor diagrams, choosing and sourcing equipment, and some online e-tailers and information/instructional websites. There's also a short glossary with useful terms and explanations.

Five stars. Readers will need to research their own local laws to avoid running afoul of the government, but as for the actual process of fermentation and distillation, this book has got it covered. The book's slant and recipes are for potable spirits, and apart from the basic process, folks who are looking for essential oil, fuel oil, or other non-drinkable distilling will need to look elsewhere. This is a good place to start though.

Five stars. I especially liked the updated modern equipment overview and explanations.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Doug Hyde]

I am excited to have a book which doesn't spread myths, wives tales, and misinformation about distilling. The book is in plain language and easily read. If you've never distilled before, this book steps the reader through the process. The author has suggestions for useful equipment and still types. The book also has recipes for those who need a little more guidance, a glossary to learn the language of distilling, and an index to use this book as a reference.

I've bought plenty of books about distilling before this one. They have been either much too technical, or overly 'folksy' with down home anecdotes to take seriously. I know this book will meet just about everyone's needs for distilling. With so much hardware out there for distilling, this book is a great information resource.

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very thorough book!

There's a lot of information on distilling, including laws and history around distilling and the steps. The book covers how to distill different spirits, the ingredients needed, monitoring the process, and more. The book covers different techniques and options for home distilling.

Overall an interesting read.

[JCS · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author begins by saying, “This book has one goal…to teach you how to distill”. It certainly achieves its goal. This is an excellent, encyclopaedic account of how to distill and covers everything very thoroughly from before you start, equipment, and recipes for a variety of spirits. All very well illustrated. There is useful guidance on which still to use, how to blend and a helpful glossary. Thank you to Aaron Hyde, NetGalley and Quarto for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Chad Gillihan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book filled with great information and quite a few recipes !!

I really enjoyed this book and price was well worth it !! Aaron goes through distilling processes with clear and easy to follow language while fully describing all equipment and also appropriate warnings and things to consider when operating or purchasing equipment !!

[Paul King · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has all of the information, but it gets bogged down with many different words for the same piece of equipment and that tends to make the entire description more difficult to understand. I found myself nodding off trying to finish this one.