American historians will find this study both enlightening and surprising.--Cynthia A. Kierner, George Mason University "Historian"

The complete guide for beginner and intermediate distillers. Make your own brew at home! ”If you’re going to invest the $100 or so to get a basic equipment and recipe kit, then you’ll want to take care in ensuring that your first batch is brewed correctly.” –Rick Morris, HowBrewBeer The Joy of Home Distilling is covers nearly every facet of distilling: Step-by-step instructions for the different processes, from bucket to bottle The difference between spirit types and how to produce each What yeast is, what it does, and how to ensure that you get a strong, complete fermentation What distillation is and common misconceptions about the process Legalities surrounding distilling alcohol at home Carbon filtering—when it’s necessary, when to filter, and why you filter Flavoring and aging your spirits Keeping safety first when working with flammable materials, such as ethanol Yeast styles and nutritional requirements Different methods of distillation and equipment Post-distillation process And of course, fun drink recipes! (Try the Mudslide or the Cherry Bomb!) Author Rick Morris, who has been selling distillation equipment for over 25 years, even includes his own recipes for different types of spirits and drink recipes. By learning not just how to distill, but also what is happening at each step and why it is needed, readers will be armed with the information they need to experiment with their own spirits and concoct their own recipes. Easy to understand even for a first-time distiller, The Joy of Home Distilling is sure to become your number one distilling resource.

Learn every aspect of distilling, from the fundamentals to flavor development control and packaging, in this definitive guide to small-scale distilling. Whether you want straightforward information for your first distillation or you’re a seasoned distiller looking to perfect your craft, this is the book for you. Certified industry expert and seasoned home distiller Aaron Hyde lays out the how and why of all the key processes, starting at the mash and fermentation, working through more than 100 pages on distilling, and ending with expert information on aging spirits.This is the only book that goes beyond the basics to cover it all: An Overview of Distilling: The fundamentals of distillation, concise distillation theory, still design, distilled products, and the raw materials. Pre-Distillation: Move on to learn about ingredient processing and preparation, fermentation theory and technology, the fermentation process, and calculating the potential of wash. Distilling: Finally, the main event! A robust section on distilling covers modern distillation technology, the distillation process, key decisions during distillation, process control, collection, and further distillation. Post-Distillation: Last but not least, work your way through flavor development and control, the aging process, quality considerations, distillery co-products, and packaging considerations. With reliable, tested, up-to-date information, this is the new standard for distilling.

The first book to combine reference and practical how-to information from the most pioneering distillers around the world, and the first global catalog with photographs of every important craft spirit. Small-batch artisan spirits have arrived in a big way, with micro-distillery start-ups hitting record levels around the world and hand-crafted spirits crowding the top shelf. From vodka to rum to moonshine and more, Craft Spirits is your guide to which spirits to try and which pioneering distillers to watch. Craft Spirits will bring out your inner mixologist with cocktail recipes for each spirit it features, and will inspire you to shake or stir your own unique signature cocktail. Tasting notes, step-by-step advice, and profiles of the key micro-distilleries in every category make this book a must-have for enthusiasts. Highlighting more than 250 of the most important craft spirits, Craft Spirits is the first book of its kind, and author Eric Grossman, a key influencer within the industry, brings his knowledge of craft spirits and international cocktail trends to its pages.

The history of Johnnie Walker, tracing its roots back to 1820, is also the history of Scotch whisky. But who was John Walker – the man who started the story? And how did his business grow from the shelves of a small grocery shop in Kilmarnock to become the world’s No. 1 Scotch? A Long Stride tells the story of how John Walker and a succession of ingenious and progressive business leaders embraced their Scottish roots to walk confidently on an international stage. By doing things their own way, Johnnie Walker overturned the conventions of late Victorian and Edwardian Britain, survived two world wars and the Great Depression, coming back stronger each time, to become the first truly global whisky brand, revolutionising the world of advertising along the way. Ultimately the story is a testament to how an obsession with quality and a relentless drive to always move forward created a Scotch whisky loved in every corner of the world

Small-Scale Production of Brandies, Schnapps & Liquors: The art of crafting alcohol is a very ancient one, and small, artisan distilleries are growing in popularity every day. Expert Austrian distillers Helge Schmickl and Bettina Malle guide readers through the process of creating or purchasing their own still and provide detailed instructions from personal experience on mash creation, fermentation, distillation, and infusion using a variety of ingredients. Schmickl and Malle also introduce readers to the tradition of schnapps distillation and present a brief look at domestic and international brewing cultures. The authors cover in detail which distillation techniques excel, which merely succeed, and which should be avoided at all costs in their discussion of: Necessary equipment Possible ingredients Mash fermentation How to begin distillation Alcohol regulations With ninety recipes - from classic fruit brandy to chili infusions - this book is not only for the curious beginner. Even experienced distillers will discover new approaches to this classic practice.