Still Spirits changed my brew game—and yours could be next if you're sick of guessing.

August 25, 2025

From Shed Tinkering to Smooth Sips: Why Distilling at Home Is More Achievable Than Ever

Old kettle boilers were rubbish. Now? A good reflux still will have you dialled right in.

Ever tasted a homemade spirit that made your eyeballs do somersaults? Harsh, cloudy, way too strong—or worse, zero flavour? No judgement. Home distilling used to be a game of guesswork. But things have changed. Garden sheds are quietly transforming into micro-distilleries, and the tools? Smarter, safer, and built for folks who want quality without needing a chemistry degree.

Distilling Isn't Just for the Big Boys Anymore

Until a few years ago, distilling your own drop felt out of reach. Too technical. Too many ways to stuff it up. But with accessible gear—and the right Aussie know-how—it's suddenly doable. Not just doable—rewarding. You can now craft clear spirits with precision, repeatability, and a whole lot of pride.

"Once I swapped from stovetop bodgy jobs to a proper condenser still kit, I actually started getting clean, drinkable results. Game changer."
– One of our regulars after his second upgrade.

Here's What Makes the New Wave of Home Distilling Different

Reflux stills: Always-on temperature control, steady flow rate, clarity every time.
Flavouring packs: Replicate top-shelf profiles without trial-and-error blending.
Straight-talk guides: Cut the jargon, just give you what works—step by step.
Reliable consumables: Fresh yeast, clean sugar, carbon filters, and essences that actually taste how they say.

Whether you're chasing a silky smooth vodka, a spiced rum, or a whisky-style blend—it’s all within reach. And once you've done one clean run, you won't go back to bottled mediocrity.

The Quiet Skill You Didn't Know You Needed (But You've Probably Earned)

There’s something powerful about mastering a craft that most people wouldn’t even dare try. Distillers are tinkerers. They’re creative. They’re precise. But they also know when to listen to their gear, trust their tastebuds, and tweak until it’s just right.

It’s not about speed—it's about tuning in. It's about that first glass that makes your mates stop mid-sentence and go, “Hold up—you made this?!”

Starter Kits vs. Frankenstein Setups

There are two roads most people start with:

The patched-together way: Bits from online, repurposed gear, and an occasional fire hazard.
The all-in-one path: A solid still kit built for the exact job—with instructions that make sense.

If it's clarity, quality, and consistency you’re after—the all-in-one route wins. Every time. Because when everything just works, you’re free to focus on the fun part: dialling in flavours, testing cuts, naming your new house bottle.

The Myth of Needing "Perfect Conditions"

Don't wait for the stars to align. Distilling isn’t about perfection—it's about process. Hot summer shed? No dramas. Cool winter breeze? All good. With gear designed to handle Aussie temps and proper insulation tricks (foil wrap around your condenser goes a long way), you'll get quality output regardless of season.

What Most People Don't Realise About Distilling

It's not harder than brewing beer—it’s just a bit different. If you've handled a fermenter before, you’re already ahead. Half the challenge is just knowing the why behind each dial, reading your hydrometer properly, and respecting the boil rates. The rest? Comes with doing a few runs and taking notes.

Tips the Books Won’t Tell You (But a Shed Brewer Will)

Use distilled water for final blending. Cuts the sharp edge and keeps it clean.
Do test cuts in shot glasses: Taste each 100ml segment and compare. You'll learn fast.
Run a carbon filter slow: Let it drip-feed. It's tempting to rush, but you'll taste the difference.
Label your jars properly: Heads, hearts, and tails—once they’re mixed, there’s no going back.

And hey, if it flops once—pull a laugh, toss the batch, tweak the next one. Every fail is a step closer to that signature house pour.

When It Clicks—It Sticks

One clean, clear, perfectly spiced bottle is all it takes. After that, you won't stop. You'll start blending batches, experimenting with molasses or oak, challenging yourself to beat your last drop. And suddenly, you’re no longer dabbling in it—you’re becoming known for it.

Used to take 10 weekends to feel confident? Now it takes just one intentional run and a few sticky notes.

This isn't about playing pretend distiller. This is about having something in your shed that's 100% yours. Something that tells a story, earns a grin, and warms your chest just right.

Your Signature Spirit Is Waiting

You bring the curiosity—we’ll sort the rest. The gear that makes sense, the consumables that deliver, and the kind of advice that’s as strong as what’s in your glass.

Truth is: great spirits aren’t bought, they’re built—one cut, one bottle, one clean ferment at a time.

Cheers to the next pour,
Candeece