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

by Aaron Hyde

Learn every aspect of distilling, from the fundamentals to flavor development 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, certified industry expert and seasoned home distiller Aaron Hyde lays out the how and why of all the key processes. Starting with the mash and fermentation, working through every key part of distilling, and ending with information on aging spirits, this is a 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.

• ISBN13: 9781558329751
• Publish Date: 14 September 2021
• Publish Status: Forthcoming
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Harvard Common Press,U.S.
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 240
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

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.