In the realm of gin, you’ll frequently come across marketing phrases like “hand-picked botanicals” or “unique plants,” emphasising the ingredients used. Interestingly, what rarely shares the limelight is the base spirit, even though it can play a huge role in influencing how we perceive the flavours.
A base spirit’s character, though understated, lays the foundation for a gin’s identity. It’s a subtlety that every gin distiller must embrace and master.
Not every base spirit is the same. For distillers and new distillery start-ups – its selection is as crucial as sourcing the right botanicals. Finding the right balance between clean and characterful leads many to become interested in making it themselves. But it’s not that easy to make neutral spirit…
This article covers the big talking points.
Buying in Neutral Spirit
The definition of a ‘neutral spirit’ varies across countries. In the U.S. for example, a spirit qualifies as ‘neutral’ if it’s distilled to 95% ABV or more. In the EU, it’s 96%.
That’s a huge difference as requirements needed to make that increase pushes the distillation to a much higher level. It’s not a 1% increase in difficulty, it’s a substantial increase to achieve a mere 1% as it’s so close to the azeotropic boundary.
The impact that has on the spirit are substantial too. The organoleptic properties (what something smells and tastes like) are significantly reduced.
Let’s phrase that in less technical terms. Most drinkers who take the time to savour the spirit neat would know what the agricultural origin of a vodka that was to distilled to 95%. For those made to 96% you need a much keener sense of smell and a good understanding. In colour terms, it’s the difference between paint that’s magnolia and another that is pure white. Side by side, they are worlds apart.
Regional legislation and the 95 vs 96 start point difference is more keenly felt at a craft level and those who make their own base (more on that below). Most wholesale Neutral Spirit wholesalers are giant operations and irrespective of the minimum requirements – they’ll all distill to 96% ABV.
The reason is simple, they aim to create a spirit with minimal character, as it allows them to sell it to the maximum amount of potential clients. Pharma, drinks, food etc.
Different agricultural origin, different base spirit
Neutral spirit suppliers employ varying distillation techniques and processing methods. Typically, they offer a range of distillates that meet the ‘neutral’ criteria, derived from different sources. Each will have a distinct profile.
A sugar beet-based spirit is different from a wheat-based one or one derived from grapes or rye. The supplier might make each using the same plant and stills, but the agricultural origin of the source will always carry through. Even if you can’t taste it overtly (in some cases you can), there is mouthfeel to consider etc.
Aligning the profile of your base spirit with your botanical recipe is vital when crafting a high-quality gin. Don’t leave it to chance.
Prices of these base spirits will vary based on what they are made from, as does the format in which they are supplied. Most will offer 1000L IBC’s or bigger but some can do smaller plastic barrels or portable 25L jerry cans. Each will have its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
All suppliers will offer the Neural Spirit at full strength, but some will offer it cut to 55% ABV. This might be handy to ask for those in regions where there are transport restrictions / licences on the movement of highly flammable goods. Once a preferred supplier is identified; continual quality checks are essential to maintain consistency.
Understanding the complexities of crafting your own base spirit
Crafting a base spirit from scratch is a journey. It’s a significant decision that goes beyond the distillation process and a challenge that demands time, patience, and a solid understanding of the Fermentation Process.
From a distiller’s perspective it is a journey that can be highly rewarding. Meanwhile from a brand / product perspective, it can lead to a unique sales pitch and true product differentiation. For example, in the UK, a country with over 600 gin distilleries, less than 50 make their own base spirit.
For those building a new distillery, calculating whether to go from scratch isn’t only about costing for additional equipment or process. It also calls for an understanding of the sustainability angle and the real costs involved there too. Let’s go over each and expand on the major factors to consider…
The pre-distillation dance: Mashing, brewing, fermenting
Before the distillation process begins, there’s a series of steps that need to be performed with precision and care: mashing, brewing, and fermenting. Each step has its own set of skills, equipment, and even a unique set of challenges.
Each contributes significantly to the quality of the final base spirit.
In terms of cost, these steps add another layer of complexity. They require not only a capital investment in equipment but also a commitment to ongoing operational costs. This includes raw materials, maintenance, headcount and energy costs, which can add up quickly.
They produce different Effluent, which becomes a sizeable unforeseen cost unless factored in from the start.
The purity challenge
Creating a high-quality base spirit isn’t easy. Achieving a high level of distillation purity requires meticulous attention to detail.
For those without a column still, or side mounted columns with dozens and dozens of plates – it’s not worth doing it. You will never reach a level of purity where the base spirit is subtle enough to allow botanicals to shine thereafter. Most gins made this way are, objectively, terrible.
Flavour aside; you may run in to legal issues around naming conventions.
While a triple pot still distilled wheat base spirit might have reached 95% ABV, that doesn’t mean it will have been stripped of all the other elements to meet the standards such as methanol content etc. Have you factored in how to remove those (do you need additional processes to do so)?
Meanwhile, for those who intentionally don’t reach that mark and are deliberately using a re-distilled Brandy / Sake / or Whisky as the base spirit for their Gin, EU law clearly states that this is not allowed. The likes of Trading Standards or equivalent, can force you to remove the term Gin from the label.
Try finding a retailer that wants a product that can neither say brandy or gin, but is kind of both. Those shelves are rare to find….
The purity required of a base spirit forces producers to focus on their intention. Keep in mind the point of why you making your own. Ask yourself if is it worthwhile if you are not giving your gin the best start point (flavour wise), and potentially not reaching industry standards (exposing yourself to risk)?
If you are going to do it, get equipped to do it properly.
Scaling up: The commercial reality
Small-scale distilleries often find the process of scaling up their base spirit production to be a significant challenge. It’s one thing to create a fantastic base spirit in small batches; it’s another to replicate that quality at larger volumes.
Increasing the scale often involves switching to steam boilers to power bigger units. That’s a big change of infrastructure and a different cost implication for those working on electric stills.
The space scaling up takes is also much bigger than the a simple increase in the size of the pot. Fermenters, tanks and mash tuns take room too… If you look at the scale vs return needed – producing twice the volume requires almost five times the space.
If you are going to do make your own, look at the commercial viability of what happens when you grow. The last thing you want to do is resort to buying NGS, having just made a name for yourself by making it from scratch.
The unique selling proposition (USP)
Crafting your base spirit brings a certain identity to your gin and is a significant marker for the ethos it sets for your distillery. Because it’s a more expensive and complex process, making the base spirit a feature in the flavour profile and the marketing of your gin can provide product differentiation.
Embrace this uniqueness. Make it a part of your gin’s story, a key character in the tale you’re weaving for your customers.
This approach allows you to build an authentic connection with gin lovers who appreciate the craft, dedication, and creativity that goes into making a truly unique product.
The sustainability quandary
Sustainability is a crucial factor that can’t be ignored in today’s world. Making your own base spirit from scratch can be a more sustainable choice – but only if it’s done right.
Effective heat transfer systems, water recycling strategies, and waste reduction methods are just a few of the considerations distillers need to factor in. Biomass boilers are another. Planning and executing a sustainable distillation process requires a holistic understanding of the entire production chain.
Without careful planning and implementation, the attempt to create a base spirit from scratch can inadvertently lead to a larger carbon footprint than simply buying in Neutral Spirit.
If the reason you want to make your own spirit is an eco-one – validate that assumption. Once all the numbers are in, many find that it is only by operating at a certain scale and with certain inbuilt concessions (namely around water and power) before you can authentically make that claim.
Selecting stills for distilling high-quality base spirit
Choosing the right distillation equipment is an important decision in a distiller’s journey to produce exceptional gin. The same is true for those looking to make their own base and a pot still like the one depicted above just won’t cut it.
If you are planning on making your own base, I-Still and Genio seem like pragmatic still makers to look into. They have earned their stripes for their efficacy in transforming a simple wash into high-quality spirit.
Both manufacturers produce stills that are known for their ability to achieve high distillation rates, easily reaching 90% ABV range from a standard low wine wash. Each manufacturers have pots that are sizeable enough to operate at a commercial scale too.
Making base spirit is not neutral in its implications
In conclusion, the journey of creating a base spirit for gin is both complex and rewarding. It extends beyond distillation, encompassing sustainability, cost, and unique character.
Distillers must navigate the nuances of crafting their base spirit, balancing technical challenges with the opportunity to infuse their gin with distinct identity and ethos.
Buying it in provides a great solution for most gin makers. Bought in Neutral Spirit has been the base of gin for generations and consumers expect a clean base.
That consumer preconception is firmly established in certain regions and while it’s starting to change, the appeal of gin remains in the botanicals, not the base. When it comes to allowing botanicals to shine, bought in neutral spirit sets a high quality benchmark to meet for those who want to make it themselves.
A self-made base spirit can offer a competitive edge, telling a compelling story that resonates with gin enthusiasts who value the craftsmanship involved. Unless it’s done well though, it can also be a false economy that costs more to make, is worse on the environment and creates a product that doesn’t appeal to drinkers.
Success therefore, lies in a distillers ability and commitment to the craft…
