The Cost of Producing a Commercial Still and Distilling Whiskey

How much does a commercial still cost?
At the most basic level, you’re going to need a cooker (or mash tun), a fermenter, and a still. A cooker can cost roughly $11,000, a fermenter $6,500, and a still anywhere from $3,000 to $12,000.

Producing a commercial still is just as difficult and expensive as distilling whiskey. A commercial still’s price might vary significantly based on the equipment’s size, composition, and complexity. In general, the price of a commercial can range from $10,000 to $1 million or more.

The price of producing a bottle of whiskey might also differ based on the materials, tools, and labor used. For instance, it can cost $25 to $100 or more to produce a bottle of fine whiskey. The price of the grain, water, yeast, barrels, and labor used in the distilling process are all included in this.

It can be far less expensive to make moonshine if you’re interested in doing so. Small batches of moonshine are often distilled using affordable tools, like a copper still. A basic copper still can cost anywhere from $200 and $1,000 or more, depending on the size and caliber of the machinery.

Selecting the appropriate components and tools is the first step in beginning the distillation of bourbon. This entails picking the appropriate grains, including maize, rye, and barley, as well as spending money on high-quality machinery, like a commercial still or a copper pot still. To make sure your bourbon is acceptable to drink and legal, you’ll also need to adhere to stringent rules and regulations.

You must adhere to a similar procedure in order to obtain a distillery license in the UK. This entails submitting an application to the HM Revenue and Customs division, offering thorough details about your operation and its tools, and going through inspections and audits to make sure that it complies with all applicable standards and laws.

In conclusion, there are many variables that can affect how much it costs to create a commercial still and distill whiskey. When producing premium whiskey, moonshine, or bourbon, it’s crucial to carefully weigh the prices and make investments in high-quality supplies and ingredients to get the greatest results. And if you’re thinking about opening a distillery in the UK, make sure to take the right actions to get a license and run your business in accordance with the law.

FAQ
Is it legal to distill at home UK?

As long as you use a still with a capacity of less than 0.5 liters, it is acceptable to distill alcohol at home in the UK for personal use without a license. But selling or supplying homemade alcohol is prohibited.