Still Spirits fans, your next batch might pick a side: rum lover or bourbon purist?

September 5, 2025

The Pros and Pitfalls of Distilling Bourbon or Rum at Home

One brings the bite of barrel-aged oak; the other feels like sipping sunshine with molasses on the breeze. Crafting spirits isn’t just a backyard hobby anymore — it’s a weekend ritual, a quiet obsession, and a satisfying way to fill your shelf without draining your wallet. But when you're picking your next project, the choice looms: do you go full throttle with a bourbon or set sail with a homemade rum?

Barrels vs Beaches: Two Stories, Two Styles

Let’s back up. Bourbon and rum aren’t just spirits; they carry history, flavour, and attitude in equal parts. Bourbon comes straight from America's smoky heart — made primarily from corn and aged in charred oak barrels. It’s bold, robust, and delivers flavours like vanilla, spice, and caramelised wood. Rum, on the other hand, is the islander — sugarcane-born and boasting notes of toffee, fruit, and spices. It can be light, dark, spiced, silky, or sharp depending on how it's crafted.

“Bourbon’s the bloke in boots with a weathered handshake. Rum’s the mate in thongs with a grin and a story.”

The Gear Doesn’t Lie

If you’ve already got a basic setup with a decent still and some experience under your belt, either spirit is achievable. But the road to a smooth result isn’t identical.

Bourbon needs time and patience. While you can mimic ageing with oak chips and additives, nailing that deep, mellow flavour takes a bit more finesse.
Rum is more forgiving. With the right sugar base and a clean ferment, you can whip up a rum with plenty of flavour, character, and complexity — even on your third or fourth batch.

This is where using essence-based flavouring can help bridge the gap, especially if you’re after consistent results without building a cooper’s workshop in your garage.

Shortcuts, But Not Short-Changing

If you’re keen on bourbon but don’t have barrels lying around, there’s still a way to get that signature taste without years of waiting. Still Spirits Bourbon 50ml Essence is a clever solution. It infuses neutral spirits with that deep oak, vanilla, and caramel flavour — perfect for those who love the bourbon profile without the barrel time.

It’s simple, reliable, and punches above its weight for flavour. Just mix with a quality neutral base — if you’ve done a clean sugar wash or used one of the Still Spirits recipes, you’re halfway there. It’s got full-bodied personality with zero ego.

Rum: The Tinkerer's Dream

Rum can be as wild or refined as you like. Tweak your wash, change fermentation temps, age it on toasted coconut — you get the drift. It offers heaps of room to experiment, from spice mixes to tropical twist-offs. And if you're the sort who enjoys fine-tuning a spirit by feel, rum is the more playful choice. You can use molasses, brown sugar, cane — even throw in banana peel if you're feeling adventurous.

It’s also quicker to drink after distilling. No need for ageing unless you want that darker style — white rum is ready to mix, sip, or blend almost off the still.

Which One Fits Your Bench?

Ask yourself this:

Do you want refinement or experimentation?
Are you chasing a bold sipping drink or a rum punch with mates?
Are you set up to age, or keen for something ready to enjoy faster?

There’s no wrong answer here, but there is a right fit for your shed, your taste, and your timeline.

From First Run to Final Pour

Here’s what we’ve seen in the store again and again: most folks start with rum, build confidence and technique, then circle back to bourbon once they’re ready to chase perfection. That’s not a rule, but it speaks to the learning curve and the level of control each one gives.

Some also find joy in combing the two — making a rum with oak chips for depth or blending a bourbon base with fruit-infused notes. The beauty of home distilling is you call the shots.

Your Spirit. Your Story.

Whether it's a slow-sipping bourbon with notes of slam-door cork and campfire or a lively rum that smells like summer and sings in a mojito — distilled spirits carry more than alcohol. They carry identity. Preference. Pride.

If you’re eyeing the next round of Still Spirits bourbon essence, or prepping a rum wash for the weekend — whatever’s on your bench right now — treat it like more than just a drink. It’s your craft made real.

Final Take

Rum is your playground. Bourbon is your canvas. If you’re chasing flavour you can tweak and drink fast, rum makes sense. But if you’re after the high of perfecting a spirit with weight, story, and stature – bourbon still reigns king.

Cheers to your next pour,

Candeece