How Gin Is Made: The Distillation Process Behind Every Bottle
Long revered for decades, gin is a spirit that has adorned bars, cocktail glasses, and drinking events and has a complex and interesting origin.
From the meticulous choice of botanicals to the accuracy of distillation, every stage is vital in forming the particular flavors that define gin so uniquely.
This blog post will walk you through the whole distillation process if you have ever questioned how gin is made and what goes into designing that ideal bottle.
Table of Contents
The fundamentals of gin manufacturing
Mostly a distilled liquor flavored with a range of botanicals, gin is essentially a juniper berry-flavored distilled drink.
Though the other botanicals used might range from citrus fruits like lemons and oranges to herbs, spices, and even florals like lavender, this dry, fragrant berry lends gin its unique taste.
Although the precise formula will vary greatly, the process of distilling gin stays basically the same.
The First Step: Making the Base Spirit
Gin starts as a neutral spirit before it may adopt its ultimate form. Usually manufactured from grains, such as barley, wheat, or maize, the base spirit may occasionally come from potatoes or grapes.
The grain is first fermented to make alcohol and then distilled to generate a high-proof, neutral spirit. The canvas on which the botanicals will paint their distinctive flavor character is this unsavory base.
This is the most important step in the how gin is made process.
The beginning is the neutral spirit; so, the quality of this base will greatly influence the gin’s taste at end. To guarantee that the spirit is pure and neutral enough to absorb the flavors from the botanicals throughout the next stages, distilleries pay considerable attention in choosing premium grain and yeast strains.
The Skill of Adding Botanicals
The next process of gin’s manufacture starts when the neutral spirit is ready: plant infusion. The magic occurs right here. Carefully choosing their blend of botanicals, distillers can produce quite different combinations based on the style of the distillery and the gin they wish to create.
Usually housed in a copper pot still, the botanicals are used during distillation as the base spirit passes through them.
Though numerous techniques exist for introducing the botanicals into the spirit, steeping is the most often used one. Under this approach, the botanicals soak in the base spirit for a length of time before the distillation process starts.
This lets the flavors and essential oils pull into the liquid. The still is then heated, and the alcohol vapor rises, bearing the essence of the botanicals with it.
Distillation: The Key for Extraction of Flavours
The core of gin-making is distillation. Rising through the still, the alcohol vapor goes via a condenser where it cools back into liquid form. After then, this liquid is gathered in fractions, that is, in several phases.
While the “heads” and “tails” are thrown away since they include undesired contaminants, the “hearts” fraction is the one with the desirable tastes. This is the key step in the how gin is made process.
Several times this process is performed to improve the gin by eliminating any unwanted molecules and focusing the aromatic tastes from the botanicals.
The Final Touch is dilution and bottling
The final step to understand how gin is made is the dilution and bottling process. The result is a tasty, high-proof gin suitable for use. The gin is still somewhat high in alcohol level after distillation—often between 80 and 90%.
The distillery will dilute the gin with water to attain the required strength, therefore making it more palatable and appropriate for ingestion. While this can vary depending on the distillery, most gins are bottled at about 40% to 42% ABV (alcohol by volume).
Certain distillers might also decide to age their gin for a small length of time in order to enhance its taste. Most gins, however, are bottled fresh following distillation, therefore preserving the vivid, aromatic notes of the botanicals at their best.
Gin Types and Distillation Techniques
Various distillation techniques produce different kinds of gin. Among the most common are
London Dry Gin: Among the most well-known varieties of gin is London Dry Gin. It must be distilled with all of the botanicals in the pot still; artificial flavors or colors cannot be added afterwards.
Plymouth Gin: Made in Plymouth, England, Plymouth Gin, known for its smooth, earthy tastes—must be produced somewhat sweeter than London Dry Gin.
Old Tom Gin: Rich in history going back to the 18th century, Old Tom is a somewhat sweet variation of gin. Usually, it’s found in traditional cocktails like the Tom Collins.
Genever: Often regarded as the forerunner of contemporary gin, Genever is a malt-based spirit with a far richer and maltier taste than the lighter, more citrus-forward taste of most gins today.
Flavored Gins: These are gins flavored with extra tastes like rhubarb, elderflower, or perhaps spices like cinnamon. Thanks to small differences in their distillation techniques, botanical blends, and manufacturing processes, every kind of gin provides a different flavor sensation.
Acronimo Gin: Acrónimo Gin is crafted through a meticulous process that blends traditional techniques with innovative flavors.
The journey begins with infusing a neutral grain spirit with a selection of botanicals, including juniper berries from the Sierra Tarahumara region, cardamom, lavender, and various citrus peels. This infusion undergoes a 14-day maceration period, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
FAQs about Gin Making
- What are gin’s principal components?
Juniper berries are the major component in gin since they provide its unique taste. It is also flavored, though, with different botanicals, including citrus peel, herbs, and spices.
2. Is it possible to age gin?
While some distilleries opt to age their gin for a brief period to generate fuller flavors, gin is typically released fresh upon distillation.
3. How long does the distillation process take?
Depending on the technique employed and the intended flavor character, the distillation process can last several hours to many days.
4. What sets Acronimo Gin apart from other types of gin?
Acronimo Gin stands out for its smooth balanced flavor crafted from a unique blend of botanicals and a meticulous distillation process offering a refined twist on traditional gin.
5. Is gin devoid of gluten?
Since the base spirit is distilled grain and distillation eliminates gluten proteins, most gins are gluten-free. Still, labels are always crucial, especially for flavored gins.
Conclusion
Like the spirit itself, gin’s manufacturing technique is as complex and meticulous. From choosing the ideal botanicals to precisely distilling them, every action counts in creating the gin we know and enjoy. Knowing how gin is made improves the experience and respect for this ageless beverage, regardless of your level of gin taste or inexperience with the spirit. Therefore, the next time you raise a gin glass, you can value the artistic quality inherent in every drop!
