Book on how to make whisky

**chewse** · 16th November 10, 11:32 AM

Can someone recommend a book on how to make whisky? There seems to be somewhat of a renaissance going on associated with whisky distilling.

**Legba** · 16th November 10, 11:51 AM

The Alaskan Moonshiners bible.

**artificer** · 16th November 10, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by chewse

Can someone recommend a book on how to make whisky? There seems to be somewhat of a renaissance going on associated with whisky distilling.

I think you'll find that, while it IS legal to make wine or brew beer for personal use, to the best of my knowledge it is illegal to DISTILL spirits without a license.

**Bing** · 16th November 10, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by artificer

to the best of my knowledge it is illegal to DISTILL spirits without a license.

And dangerous as well. Not just because the end product is highly flammable and explosive, but also because you can unknowingly make highly toxic alcohols (methyls, propyls and butyls) as byproducts of the process that you're using to make EtOH.

**Pyper** · 16th November 10, 02:37 PM

It is definitely illegal in the USA to distill spirits in any quantity by any method for any purpose without a license.

It is legal in some other countries.

You can find out everything about the topic online. There's really not that much to it.

**JamieKerr** · 16th November 10, 02:46 PM

This is in no way shape or form advice on whether you should or should not try your hand in this hobby...but be very very careful about what you buy in regards to research materials/ building materials online. I don't know much about the laws, except that it is 100% legal for any reason without a license/ permit. And although you can buy premade "stills"...there are policing bodies that have access to sales records, which manufacturors are required by law to keep.

**Lallans** · 16th November 10, 02:50 PM

It is illegal and dangerous. But when my late father brought back some of the rare (ie, real) old mountain dew from Ulster some years back and I did a side-by-side taste test comparison with several brands of the locally authorised and highly taxed product (for cooking purposes actually- I was making Vermont Whisky Cake), guess which one was better by a factor of 10 to 100? HINT: I did NOT use the illicit product in the cake.

Anyway Amazon had some books about making your own when I looked one time. .com, not .ca etc. If breaking the law and making a potentially poisonous product, I would want the reassurance of a book, not a webpage. Then put a lawyer on retainer....

**chewse** · 16th November 10, 03:13 PM

Thanks all for the words of caution. I just wanted to understand the process at this point. Upon initial research, there are many companies who provide the proper equipment necessary for a micro distillery. Of course I would not attempt this type of venture without having legal authorization to do so and a well thought out plan.

**Legba** · 16th November 10, 03:54 PM

Moonshining is an art form that offers few risks other than BATF.
Almost every kitchen has the necessary equipment to make distilled spirits. It can be done safely with a crock pot or even a heating pad and a garbage sack. Fusil oil is the first dreg to come off the poor, and can be dumped, and making char is simple, and will also remove any remaining oils to decrease the thunderbuster headache.

I'm not condoning activity that is ilegal, just offering factual info.
The Alaskan Moonshiners Bible is a great resource for beer wine and ETOH and can be picked up on Amazon, or even your local library.

**Lallans** · 17th November 10, 11:01 AM

As I am given to understand, the dangerous products like fusel oil and several toxic varieties of alcohol do come off first and must be discarded. There's a Celtic ritual around pouring it out on the ground in honour of something- my memory is that it's given to the Devil. The art and science required is knowing when and how much to discard, and also to have someone willing to try your product before you do.