Every distiller starts somewhere, and this little 3 gallon copper pot is a good place to begin. We make it by hand in our New Hampshire shop. It's a limited-edition flash sale, and it has no thumper. All you work with is the pot, heat, vapor and copper, and that simplicity is the point. With fewer parts in the way, you can see exactly what each change in heat does to the run.
Which spirits suit a 3 gallon pot?
A small single-pass pot still suits spirits that are meant to keep the flavor of the wash, like whiskey, rum and brandy. It's a good bench for practicing cuts. You watch the run change, taste, take notes, and learn where heads give way to hearts. If you want a clean, neutral vodka, a tiny pot without a thumper won't get you there. Think of this still as your lab, not your production line.
What to expect
- Small output: this still makes only a small amount per run, so plan on experiments, not volume.
- Polished copper that won't stay that way: it leaves our shop polished, but copper oxidizes fast. A little patina is honest wear.
- A conversation piece: plenty of people keep one on the shelf because it looks good.
It comes with our lifetime warranty. Have questions? Call the shop at 1-603-997-6786. We're happy to talk it through.
Owning a still is legal in the US, and small stills like this one are also used to distill water and essential oils. Making spirits requires a federal TTB permit, so please follow federal, state, and local law.
