Still Spirits nailed it: tired of trial batches that taste like floor cleaner?

August 12, 2025

Why One Classic Gin Essence is Winning Over Backyard Distillers Everywhere

The timeless allure of English dry gin — on your terms, from your own shed

“Mate, is this what they mean by smooth as silk?” That’s what one regular said after bottling his first batch using the Still Spirits English Dry Gin essence. Juniper-forward with touches of citrus and a back-end of subtle spice — it's a game-changer for those chasing that crisp, velvety finish without the harshness.

For anyone who’s spent too many weekends trying to balance botanicals and barely scraped passable results, this essence is your shortcut to a gin worth sharing.

The Problem with DIY Gin? Getting the Flavour Right

Let’s be straight — crafting gin isn’t just chucking anything herbal into a jar and hoping for the best. Juniper balance, citrus undertones, the whisper of spice — it all counts. Do it right and you’ve got a spirit with bite, body, and class. Do it wrong and you’re left with something that tastes like wet socks and regret.

Most home distillers wrestle with either too much effort or too many failures before they nail their first smash hit.

“I used to burn two weekends trying to get gin that didn’t taste like paint thinner. Now it takes me one quiet arvo and I’m pouring something smoother than half the shelf at Dan’s.” – Local customer, shed distiller for 6 years

What Makes This One Different

This pre-balanced essence simplifies everything. The Still Spirits Classic English Dry Gin is crafted for people who know what “good” should taste like — clean, botanical, and polished. Here's why it stands out:

Real botanicals you can taste: Juniper, coriander, citrus peels, and that subtle touch of liquorice root for roundness of flavour.
Zero guesswork: It's already calibrated — no playing Mad Scientist unless you want to tweak and play.
Infuse or distill: Works beautifully whether you’re running through your still or soaking it right into neutral spirit.
Cleaner finish: No weird aftertaste, no mouth burn — just a velvet ride across your tastebuds.

How It Feels to Nail It

You strain off the batch, pour a finger over ice, and take that first sip. Bright, dry, almost floral at the top — then that soft lemony twist and peppered finish. You're proud, but you don’t say it. You just give the glass a quiet nod before pouring another. That’s the kind of experience this essence was made for.

It’s not just about what it tastes like. It’s about what it feels like to hand a bottle to a mate and say, “Give that a go.” And not just hope it’s good — know it is.

Brewing Tips to Go Alongside It

This gin essence pairs well with precise process, so if you’re going to do it — do it clean:

Start with a solid neutral spirit — no shortcuts, no sketchy wash. Clean spirit = clean gin.
Use fresh carbon filters if distilling — run your base spirit through twice if you’re chasing that top-shelf quality.
Rest your gin — even with essence, a few days in glass lets the blend settle into something finer.

We keep all the right tools on the shelf — from carbon filter setups to precision spirit hydrometers — so you know exactly what you’re working with every time.

Serving Ideas That Make It Sing

Sure, the G&T is a given (and you’ll never buy store gin for it again after this), but if you’re feeling fancy — or you've got folks round — try these:

Negroni with a twist of blood orange
Dirty martini with cracked black pepper — the spice from the essence really shines
Southside with fresh mint and lime – bright, clean, and dangerously drinkable

It's remarkable how a few millilitres of the right flavour can change the way you see a whole spirit. And what's better — you’re the one behind it.

The Silent Edge of Shed-Made Spirits

There’s one thing nobody tells you about making your own: it's not just the drink—it’s the quiet satisfaction. The kind that doesn’t need fanfare. Just the slow build from hobby to habit to ritual. You dial it in, bottle it right, and before you know it, you’ve got mates asking what time you're pouring on Friday.

In a world full of overhyped and overpriced everything, knowing you can make a gin this good in your own space? That’s power. The no-nonsense, boots-on-the-ground kind — the sort that doesn’t shout, just delivers.

Delicate enough for a Sunday arvo cooler. Strong enough to earn a nod at the shed door. Classic enough to never go out of fashion. That’s what this essence gives you.

So if your next batch is ready, and you want it to speak for itself — dry, stylish, clean — grab your glass.

Because once you’ve tasted gin made your way, there’s no going back to shrink-wrapped mediocrity.

Cheers to your next great batch,
Candeece