Our Distillation Process
The gin distillation process transforms a neutral base spirit into a complex one with botanical character by concentrating and refining flavours, capturing aromatic components, and removing impurities. This significantly impacts the texture, intensity, and balance of botanicals, influencing the final gin profile.
Different distillation techniques yield spirits with varying characteristics, from heavier and richer to crisp and clean. Botanical infusion methods, such as steeping, steaming, or post-distillation blending, also affect the final flavour.
The equipment and method used to distil gin dramatically affect its flavour intensity, texture, and aroma.
What Exactly Is Gin?
Gin is a distilled alcoholic beverage that derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries. It belongs to the broader category of spirits known as botanical spirits or flavoured spirits.
Gin can be made from vodka through a process called redistillation. During this process, juniper berries are added to the vodka, and the mixture is distilled again to infuse the spirit with the flavours and aromas characteristic of gin. This method provides a quicker way to produce gin, often referred to as compound gin, compared to traditional craft gin distillation from a neutral base spirit.
The Initial Distillation Process
Our craft gin distillation process begins by heating a neutral base barley-derived spirit with the distinct piney resinous botanical flavours of juniper berries in a copper still. Depending on which gin we are distilling other botanicals like coriander, citrus peel, and various herbs and spices are also added during the different distillation methods that we use to enhance the unique flavour profile of each gin.
Gin can be distilled using various methods, each contributing to its unique character. Some common methods include the Maceration 'Steep and Boil' Method, Vapour Infusion, Individual Botanical Distillation, and Vacuum Gin Distillation.
Ardcraig Winter Spice Gin - The Maceration Distillation Method
To produce our Winter Spice Gin we use the Maceration (Steep and Boil) Method which produces gins with the best, most intense spice flavours.
In the maceration method, botanicals are steeped directly in the neutral base spirit (often for up to 48 hours) before distillation. This direct contact and the higher temperatures used in traditional pot distillation allow for a deeper extraction of essential oils and other compounds responsible for rich spice notes (such as those from cassia bark, cardamom, or nutmeg). This results in a gin with a fuller body, richer mouthfeel, and a more robust, pronounced spice profile.
Ardcraig Summer Citrus Gin - The Vapour Infusion Distillation Method
For our Summer Citrus Gin we use the Vapour Infusion Method which guarantees the freshest and brightest citrus flavours.
This method places citrus peels in a basket above the neutral base spirit in the still. As the spirit is heated, the alcohol vapours rise and pass through the botanicals, picking up their delicate essential oils and aromas before condensing back into liquid form.
The advantage of using this method is that it prevents the botanicals from being 'cooked' or stewed by direct boiling, which can result in heavier, jammy, or candied notes. This process captures the light, fresh, and zesty character of the citrus ingredients.
Ardcraig Autumn Fruit Gin - The Vacuum Distillation Method
For our Autumn Fruit Gin we use the Vacuum Distillation Method, which operates at a lower temperature to preserve the delicate fresh fruit notes that might be lost or altered by the heat of other methods.
The vacuum distillation method operates under reduced atmospheric pressure, which lowers the boiling point of the alcohol (often to around 40°C). The gentle, low-heat process prevents the heat-sensitive fruit compounds from breaking down or 'cooking', allowing the resulting gin to retain vibrant, fresh, and nuanced fruit flavours and aromas.
Blending & Fine-Tuning
Once the infusion process is complete, the next step in gin making is blending and fine-tuning. This is where we adjust the flavour to achieve a balanced and refined final product.
It involves mixing different distillates or adding extra botanicals to perfect the gin's profile. We taste and tweak these, ensuring that each element is harmoniously blended. This stage is crucial for crafting the signature taste of each gin product, showcasing the skill and artistry of our distillers.
Dilution & Bottling
The final step in our gin production is dilution and bottling. After distillation and flavouring, the gin often has a high alcohol content, so it is diluted with water to achieve the desired strength, typically around 40-45% alcohol by volume. This dilution is key to ensuring the gin is smooth and palatable.
Finally, the gin is bottled, labelled, and ready to be distributed. This stage marks the transformation of our carefully crafted spirit into a product that our customers can enjoy.