11 Reasons To Start Home Distilling

[@MrCurtis668]

I feel inspired to the depths of my soul by this video. My first liter of gin led to one of the best evenings with my friends. I seasoned it with rose petals in memory of my late wife. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the inspiration I get from your videos and it gives me great joy to watch someone who takes so much joy in their hobby and lets others share in it. greetings from Germany 🥰❤‍🔥

[@tobin_nathan]

That’s a beautiful tribute 🥀

[@earlsnyder6452]

The biggest reason i love the hobby is because love the look on peoples faces when they try something that I have created. It truly is a art form to create something from nothing that people can enjoy!!!!

[@TheJohn8765]

For real. I given away a fair bit of my airstilled vodka to my friends and they uniformly like it. Which makes me question why so many "pro" vodkas are so horrible...

[@sambate143]

Absinthe. I keep the cost down by collecting my local botanicals and drying them throughout the year. Growing my own. It adds another layer to the craft for me. I also make connections with a bunch of gardeners who know their stuff. I've found 3 types of wormwood, juniper, fennel and more within a few kilometres of my house. Love your work Jessie! I believe you've created a generation of distillers with sound knowledge base and ethos. More power to you

[@ObiWanCannabi]

weed growing too is both an art and science.. chemistry biology and patience. You do get better results when you put in the effort and study and practice time. Its so easy to fail the first 5 times and give up, but then you learn as much by making mistakes as you do from the wins. As long as you can adapt and try to figure out where you went wrong its progress.

[@finlayjones714]

And hey both are probably illegal in most countries and will likely land you in exactly the same amount of trouble

[@jamesspinks716]

I resisted this hobby because I was worried about the nastys, you and George have given me the confidence to avoid them, thank you.

[@brokentillman4346]

Nothing better than listening to my favorite kiwi remind me of all the things i love about the craft. Great job, thought you were gonna cry for a minute there, and it would've been warranted. Respect-Love-Support

[@gsdfan8455]

I discovered your channel a few weeks ago and it has stirred my interest in distilling. I work too much to really start into now, but I retire in 4 years and it would make a great hobby.

[@DonaldBlair-e5x]

It really doesn’t take too much of your time… unless you want it to. Honestly, you should really get started now. It’s so much fun ❤

[@Miata822]

Yes! Great retirement hobby.

[@gardencompost259]

Ah, science, and art. I’m there with that, whole heartedly. I was a professional photographer for two decades. Talk about science and art, oh yeah. So brewing, and distilling are right up my alley. Been brewing for about a decade, quite for a while,(kids, nuff said). Started distilling in my retirement, having fun. Nuff said 😁

[@ИгорьИгорь-д6ф]

Jessie!!! You have grown up and become a philosopher! Thanks for your videos!

[@lrmmorgan]

Science + art= craftsmanship!!

[@vrtsgme]

100% agree, once you’re into it there’s no escaping. Just smashing 2 kegs into 1 for a super still for strip runs…. It never stops growing and you can never get bored, so much more to learn…….

[@brejackal]

You on the air still gave me the confidence to move on from wines, 10 batches in moved on to 30l Football, I’ve done mostly whisky and rums. Totally agree on the art and science conjunction, we have high schooler in the family and I’ve been showing them the chemistry and algebra In distilling. Kinda cool and Friends enjoy the product. Thanks for all you do mate, Cheers!

[@slobberinrocco3247]

10 years distilling, and I still love to hear what you have to say

[@wernerswardt7512]

During the pandemic alcohol sales were banned in SA, that is how I got into distilling and I don't regret it a minute. This stupid government did me a huge favor

[@denisdendrinos4538]

Ne? Daai was die Dae! Those pineapple farmers were rolling in it..... 😂 Started with a pineapple "beer" and next step was McGyvering a old pressure cooker😂

[@emildebeer7645]

Me too​@@denisdendrinos4538

[@EricSommer]

Ditto!

[@TheNumbers400]

You changed my distilling perspective. I knew distilling, had been doing it for years. But all I did was the best polished neutral spirit I could make. That to me was being good at what I did. To me flavor was bad. A fruit brandy or supermarket brandy video you made changed how I viewed distilled spirits and made me understand the diversity of the topic. It also made me appreciate various spirits more. Thank you.

[@johnreynolds3948]

Jessie all your points are right on the money. Thanks for the remake on the hobby

[@tootallno]

Jesse, I watched your videos several years ago, when you were in your early days. You "lectured" to start with a white spirit like vodka. Did I listen, heck no, went straight for whisky, peaty whisky, somewhat successful. Did not know how much work it was in it and science. Next, I made was brandy, and much more successful. Time is not on my side but try to experiment when home from work. Oh yes, I did try vodka too and............ Thank you Jesse

[@heymulen1840]

Being a (stainless) blacksmith, able to run a lathe and a mill. Having learned to wire up a motor and control the power to a heating element in different ways are fun. But finding things, fermenting them and distilling , that's just pure MAGIC 🥃 cheers out there, and stay safe.😉

[@funwithwine9643]

I got done making jalapeno brandy and so far I like it.

[@jackhugo..9104]

Well, being a chef that got interested in cooking coz the never ending chase of the craft - the chef life also appealed tbh - worked more then a couple of years in the business and been making my own spirits on and off for some years now (with minimal gear) I can say for clarity that you are a great source for information and inspiration for everyone ranging from noob to pro. I get humbled when I go out for dinner, coz I truly see the hours and effort going into a plate of food. And I'm starting to see the labor going into a bottle of booze now a days. Keep up the good work. Keep Chasing the Craft - Keep Chasing Life!

[@GaryBoyd-fs2zj]

You have gotten so much better with your videos since the first one. Some times I go back and watch some of the old videos to see and compare how much you’ve grown and learned. Keep it up my friend.

[@Thebourbongod40]

One of the best videos yet. Distilling has made me smarter. I think more analytically. In everything. It is the ultimate mix of science and art.

[@Wryfen]

Mixing botanicals to make weird and tasty combinations. Oh, and the nz bush honey mead, with manuka smoked malt, distilled into something quite amazing.

[@notwithintolerance]

Have been following your progress for most of those years. Starting with George, I then found you, then Bearded and Bored. As you say, its a knowledge and skills acquisition thing, at least for me. With years of knowlege acquisition under my belt, I've finally got a build in progress, loosely based on your keggle. It should really come together now that its warming up and i can silver solder with adequate ventilation. Anyway. I look forward to your videos. Keep up the good work, dude!

[@machspeed2200]

I'm 6 months into getting into this hobby and loving it. Today, I successfully ran my first rum and it is amazingly good. I bought an air still to learn that it is the worst thing to start with (they have their place, I know). I then bought a reflux still and got going with TPW and was amazed at the yield even though it didn't ferment dry etc. It got me reading about yeast nutrition, microbiology in the rum process and why you don't have rubber gaskets in the vapor path (even though my kit's instructions tell you to put it there). If you're tweaky like me, it's a great hobby! The other surprise, I wasn't a rum drinker before either... I'm still building the courage to attempt all grain mashes.

[@aaronzdonek4402]

I started distilling 2 years ago with my dad. We have such a great time together. Our 3rd run of straight corn shine we aged in a small barrel. Turned out amazing. I've learned a lot of information from your videos. Thank you! Cheers!

[@ds9902]

#12 the best reason, but I have a lot of juniper trees on my property and I like Gin. So home made Gin and of course four shots is great lighter fluid for my burn pit

[@SteveRix78]

I'm about a year and a half into this hobby and have learned a TON. Read/watched as much as I possibly could before doing my first run. Had plenty of "WTF" moments.....turned some of those around. Constantly learning and trying new things.....have 5 BadMo barrels filled up and ready to taste.....in about 3 years now.

[@haroldgrey134]

Us Aussies are getting destroyed by the government alcohol tax plus inflation, we all need to get into home distilling now! 😂😂

[@animeconnoisseur7434]

Tax set to go up again soon yeah? I've already started distilling, jump on board mate 😊

[@markschoenhals4816]

Awesome video Jesse. I enjoyed it Once I retire in a year maybe I can get serious about it.

[@jasont659]

Love your videos. I've learned a lot from them which has helped me down my adventure.

[@TheJohn8765]

I bought an airstill years ago to make basic vodka. The still paid for itself after the second or third batch since Canada has very high booze taxes. My cost for each 40% 750 mL bottle (minus the still and fermenters etc) is less than $1 CAD, iirc. A cheap bottle of vodka here is ~$25. You do the math. :)

[@kellyagray12]

Do you have the basic or reflux? How high of an above can you get on your air still?

[@bryantcochran5065]

I love your channel Jesse your passion is like mine (and I grew up in a distilling family). You have brought many into the enjoyment of our craft, I give you kudos mate.

[@Houstondiago]

Thank you for such an awesome video. While back I emailed you guys asking about what would be a good place to get started such as books to read. You took the time to look up books to read on this subject on Amazon just wanted to thank you again. This is exactly why I emailed you guys I wanted to learn more about distilling and I’d for sure fall into that category of skill gathering, I love to learn new skills it’s what for sure defines me as a human being. Thank you so much for the awesome video, keep it going man.

[@Dan-t6h2s]

Whisky making is worthwhile because it is a challenge. There are no shortcuts, cheat codes, or apps for that! Only time, leaning, and tenacity will get you there. But the rewards are worth it. Now go out there and do something extraordinary!!!

[@darrenseeley1422]

Totally agree homebrewing to personal taste gives personal satisfaction 👍

[@cblimes]

i love that its both a science and an art, it has taken over my other hobbys and the more i do it the more i learn and enjoy it! thanks jesse

[@BigEdsGuns]

Cheers on 7 years Jessie. Been with on the long haul. 2009 was when I found the rabbit hole. Still here. (pun) "Is that you John Wayne? Is this Me?" - will be here for the next 7. To you, Erin, and the kids. God Bless!

[@navymark101]

Hand Clap... Awesome video Jesse... Everything you said should be inspiring to newbies and experienced alike...

[@mpccenturion]

Art! Learning is the key. Distilling - farming - all kinds of things!. Cheers

[@shanedouglas894]

Thanks Jesse, been following your channel for a couple of years. just bought my first still a T500 and I’m a little apprehensive. Although I’ve been brewing beer for 30 years, I thought I’d get into distillation. Your video has given me the courage I needed not to F the first run up. Cheers. Great name btw ,also my sons name.

[@julianmorrin6999]

Started years ago with the Still Spirits T500 kit a few years ago and started making neutrals / vodka and flavouring. Took about 5 runs to break even in terms of the amount spent on still and ingredients now being cheaper than buying the equivalent amount of "real" spirits - and without the hangover experience. Recently started into the actual flavoured fermenting / distilling - upgraded column with an "aliexpress" modular T-clamp column. Is like starting again - such frustration and fun around trying to make something worth drinking :)

[@dadssecretkitchen8882]

Hi Jessie, I'm from the UK and just thought I drop you a comment to let you know you have inspire me to do this as a hobby. I'm 8 months in and it's something that keeps growing within me (if that makes sense?) . Love your posts. And cheers from the UK .

[@jvin248]

You missed the whole segment on Preppers. I've been told that is a core skill to develop.

[@yourmetalgod69]

As a mead maker I enjoy watching your channel. I have no plans on going farther than I already have with brewing. but I like the differences in the crafts and learning other aspects of the hobby. I don't think there is really a wrong way to make mead as long as you are willing to drink it lol. I started watching you to learn about distilling an elderberry wine to make a Fantasy mead from a book I love. I learned I don't wanna try it lol, not because I can't but I haven't mastered mead enough to jump into distilling and don't wanna mess it up lol.

[@DaireSheehan]

Great Video Jesse

[@planewalker1973]

This video was 100% spot on. Started watching just after you started and have been on this ride with you. I am the exact reflection of the enthusiast you described. Build everything myself. Seriously good content, brother. Thank you for the amazing content.

[@ranger135]

Thanks for the great video. Really, enjoy all the videos you have created

[@cbcarmack128]

Awesome Video! Gives people hope to do this! I've been a subscriber for a longtime for this reason! Wild free Starch sources, Cat Tail plant, Cambium layer of alot Trees, and Cranefly Orchid bulbs. I have been researching emergency free sources of Starch for years. I got a couple of stainless steel beer kegs for free recently! Ready to make my still! Lol!

[@kennethhicks2113]

Keep educating and enjoying. Thanks

[@STRSHADOW]

As far as I know in the UK you need a license which put me off hard liquor but I am brewing mead. I'm currently in secondary with my first 3 meads. I hope to make beer, wine and cider at some point too. When I was looking into homebrew, I had already decided it's science and art. There is alot to learn but I'm enjoying the process. Also love your videos Jesse!

[@willbbwluvr]

Thanks for this Jesse! I'd never really thought of it like that! I make a fair bit of beer, wine, kvass and even fermented foods! I primarily use wild yeasts in my "alchemy" at the moment, so I'm looking forward to seeing how they go through a still!

[@RiggerBrew]

Solid points Jesse!

[@emildebeer7645]

Just sometimes,you taste a product,bonus ...you get to meet the maker,extra bonus friendship

[@LipovBog]

Great content and awesome channel. I'm already learning a lot. Keep it up!

[@OutlawSpirits]

I believe this vidja is 1000% better than the first one you done did on the subject. You hit every point with dead accuracy. Also, I started this hobby about the same time you started posting vidjas.... I feel the same way you do about this amazing/incredible hobby. I just love it!! I went from pot still to column still to also having an air still. I'm in the process of converting my column still into a pot/column hybrid with a worm and a thumper/doubler. However, I'll still have access to using bubble plates. It's going to be fun to experiment with.

[@HeartThrobFAE]

I am not a distiller. I do enjoy making wine. bucket half full of fresh fruit filled with juice and sugar, capful of yeast and cook it for a week using a fish tank heater and it is dangerously good. my fav recipe is cranberry juice, grape juice and whatever fresh fruit is in season. Apples, berries, pears, plums, etc.

[@Paulman50]

I started stilling to see if I could do it, now I still because I can't buy anything I like that's better.

[@darrickmiller1713]

And as my grandfather taught me at a young age he said everybody in bad times still want to have a good time so you'll always make money if you need it and he went to the Great depression and this is how he got his kids to school and put clothes on your back and put shoes on your feet

[@elricthebald]

And it's an excellent conversation starter. At least home brewing is so I assume the same is true for distilling.

[@the_whiskeyshaman]

Crazy how I totally missed this episode.

[@MauricioFernandes79]

Great video! tnx

[@denisdendrinos4538]

On the "make what you want" - I dunno about other parts of the world but here were limited to very traditional alcohols, mainly grape Brandies and whisky. But making your own.... you can make things not even found in the shops. Mulberry liqueur made from mulberry shine. Grapefruit brandy.... bring it. Want to make a Cinnamon apple shine that you add to appetizer in a hot summer day.... Have an apple instant oats the kids refuse to eat..... well....

[@chasevogt2090]

Oh man I think you just sold me…..nerd out full clip AND get a buzz? take my money 😂

[@andrewbishop869]

Off to do some research, live in an apartment so need to factor that into my where I start

[@ObiWanCannabi]

i tell ya what was nice, a honey distillation, I make an extract with a 98% ethanol, then distillate most of the liquids until i have about 200ml left with my THC in suspension, then i add a jar of honey and pull off the excess alcohol, it keeps the RSO fully in suspension and the little bit of ethanol i get back has a real nice sweetness to it that would make a good base..

[@cetinpekcetin-oi7qy]

Hi! I learnd alotof staf from your videos .... can you make Turkish Rakı ?

[@emildebeer7645]

We need to listen to jessie,he is paving the road,in this venture

[@thumpersrevenge5459]

Thanks for your tips, been watching for a while. I do have a question for you, what is your best whiskey that you've made? and what store bought product (in NZ Shelves) would you compare it to?

[@chasevogt2090]

Oh man if you ever come to the states you gotta let me show you around Kentucky

[@abdelkhalak73]

hi thank u for this great informational video! we don't have amylase available! can i use just malted barley to mash bread?

[@DonaldBlair-e5x]

Yes 👍

[@torinira.9269]

For Canada, it requires a spirits licence to be able to distill spirits, even for personal use. Only beer and wine have personal use exemptions.

[@MarkChampiom]

Hey hey Jesse, I just tried Used Coffee Grounds with sugar and bread yeast. I went away for two weeks and when I came back the 15% abv had totally flattened out to 0. When I pored the must through a strainer I noticed there were hardly any grounds there. Small run but interesting.

[@MB64676]

Please make bourbon distilled from popcorn! by which I mean actually popped in one of those air popcorn machines to eliminate the oil, and of course I've seen you add butter to stop potential puking so that just seems like it should be included in the process...

[@dimmasvaerd]

I would love to get into home distilling but, I live in the U.S. and the corporations have made it illegal. Can't have competition without making it expensive...

[@TheBlueWizardOfWestVirginia]

#1 reason for me is I love it, #2 they legalized it in my home state of West Virginia

[@mariorios3608]

Hi question, what temperature I need to distill blue agave? 👍

[@PedroJackson-wr9cs]

Hey Jesse, fellow kiwi here 😁 I’m lucky enough to have been gifted some fresh horopito leaves which I will use in future gin runs. How do I store them properly please? Cheers

[@judsonross6995]

@StillIt Sir, if possible, would you ever consider making an alcoholic beverage from regular flavor RockStar or Monster energy drinks?

[@MrElvis1971]

Distilling is a cultural practice for me. It's the only reason i need.

[@elberttanner6189]

When do you plan on publishing a book of your recipes? "Cooking with Jessie".

[@emildebeer7645]

Something to do that relaxes you after work day To create a "baby",looking after it Pride or disappointment Its a learning curve

[@FermiGlow]

There is fermentation and beer, and there is fermentation and spirits. Taking over my mother and fathers home brewing immersion fermentation heater manufacturing business is leading me to buy a spirits still infact a cheap vevor 70ltr pot still. 'to research and test the distillation process. and to see if there is a market for it. But I have never done it before.

[@whynot6262]

i wish i could but the cost for permits doesnt make it worth it

[@rjfussell]

I know what it is to start with a blank slate,my first experience was many,many years ago an old cattle farmer,he had a copper still that was over a 100 years old,cracked corn,well water and bread yeast,well,it was as hardcore and strong,then fast forward decades,I was a fabricator for many years,I was youtube that got my interest,George,Jess and bearded,that's like having a giant wall to paint and all you have is a pencil,then my first question was,ok I want to make something,good start,right?Then what do I need?Then three months later I had a six gallon still made and a binder full of notes,so I started putting things together,I made something,I did make something successful,something Jess said,wet dog and card board,I made it damn good too,my son said,what the hell is that,I've come a long way Jess.Thanks

[@littlehills739]

making high proof for chillie extract + i get to drink it. making high proof for vanilla extract for baking and creamy soda

[@thejuanderful]

Reason Number 12: Distilling is the first step to creating your own tinctures and essential oils from scratch! A couple pieces of added equipment will turn the still into an essential oil extractor. Fun fact: smelling pine essential oil provides some of the same health benefits of walking in a forest. The Japanese discovered this researching the benefits of "forest bathing".

[@johnb7430]

Art or science? When you don't MEASURE and Quantize each ingredient... but can make excellent choices from experience or intuition... it's called "art". But when every important factor is measured, known and used purposefully (and repeatably), its called science. But there are too many factors involved (especially in aged liquors) to know and control precisely... currently. So ... i think you're right... its science and art combined, at home. But in industrial production where more is spent to test and know ingredients, its much more science.

[@connorperkins641]

It may be possible to make it a science, but the amount of measuring would make it almost impossible outside of a very dedicated laboratory. Testing the components of all the wood in a barrel, counting defects in that wood. Accurately measuring the toast and char levels of the wood, measuring and controlling leakage from between the slats of a barrel, angels share lost through the barrel, temperature cycles, and the chemicals that are already present in the spirit will all affect every individual barrel you age differently. And that's just on barrel aging. It would be prohibitively time consuming to do any of this at scale. That's why big distilleries use statistics and blends.

[@Miata822]

@@connorperkins641 But there are at least two scientists who are hobby distillers here on KZbin, one who works in the distilling industry and focuses on aging of spirits.

[@connorperkins641]

@@Miata822 what I was trying to say is that there will always be some art to it. Your ingredients are never going to exactly the same, and you will need to use some intuition to correct for that. You can absolutely use a science heavy approach though.

[@CeToxihuitl]

It's only illegal if you get caught. Godspeed

[@jekanyika]

What does this mean? _It is no longer a requirement to hold a licence to rectify or compound duty paid spirits._ _If, as a result of rectifying or compounding duty paid spirits, there is an increase in the amount of duty that would have been payable had the process been carried out before the duty point, the operation must take place in an excise warehouse._ _Anyone rectifying or compounding duty suspended spirits must do so in a warehouse with appropriate approvals._

[@jcoghill2]

I have a 50 gal. still and I'm trying to distill a wheated bourbon like Weller.Trying to find a recipe scaled for 50 gal. Any ideas?

[@dvsmike]

I wanna, i do mead but i wanna do shine. However it's illegal in Ca. You can own the still, which is on their records if you buy from a vendor, just can't use it to distill except for ethanol fuel(with a peermit)and distilling water.

[@Miata822]

My first play with distilling years ago came after seeing a tutorial for a stock pot still (or 'reverse pot still'). It's not good, but an easy experiment. A reasonably handy person can make an effective small pot still from a pressure cooker modified with hardware store plumbing parts. Many tutorials exist for easy small scale distilling. Doing one's homework first and following safety recommendations, this is an easy hobby to get into.

[@HighKingTurgon]

Jesse, if you're worried about the apocalypse, you need to learn to distill without electricity!

[@allfatherodin-officiallyun1107]

He just needs to figure out how many hamsters in hamster wheels it takes to run a still before that

[@kennethwithrow8711]

Usually, the first thing I see is the very distinguished beard. This time, the first thing I saw was the Into The AM hoodie.

[@ObiWanCannabi]

i do it to make THC Marmite lol more commonly known as RSO

[@Thebourbongod40]

And it’s made me the MOST popular person during the holidays. 😜😜😜

[@MrSomethingElse]

Dude! You and Popcorn were right, something fucks out every single fucking time! But dangit, chasing the craft is cool cuz, thanks my kiwi, we getting stuck in aye cuz? 'preciate you my bro. If you aint liking and subbing up? You a fool D.R

[@HebrewHammerArmsCo]

Well, I can make 4 bottles of Fireball for the same price as buying one off the shelf.

[@spiked-b5761]

One reason why I shouldn't : That's illegal in my country...

[@littlehills739]

17:30 a sharp knife.