About Us
Handcrafted Copper Stills, Rooted in Tradition
Your trusted source for handcrafted copper alembic stills built for essential oil distillation, hydrosol production, water purification, and botanical extraction.
CopperHolic is your trusted source for handcrafted copper alembic stills built for essential oil distillation, hydrosol production, water purification, and botanical extraction. Every still we sell is hand-hammered by master coppersmiths using techniques perfected over centuries. We are not a mass-production company. We are craftspeople, educators, and distillation enthusiasts who believe the best results come from the best tools.
A Conviction Centuries in the Making
CopperHolic was founded with a simple but powerful conviction: the ancient art of copper alembic distillation deserves to thrive in the modern world. For thousands of years, the alembic pot still has been the tool of choice for extracting the purest essences from plants, herbs, and flowers. From the apothecaries of medieval Europe to the perfumers of the Mediterranean, copper alembic stills have played a central role in the history of botanical science.
We saw a gap in the market. Most copper stills available online were either cheaply made imitations with thin copper walls, or museum-quality antiques priced out of reach. We wanted something different: authentic, artisan-quality copper stills at fair prices, backed by real customer support and a genuine passion for the craft. That is why we partnered directly with traditional coppersmith workshops to bring you stills that honor centuries of heritage while meeting the demands of today's distillers.
Made by Master Coppersmiths
Every CopperHolic still is handcrafted by master coppersmiths, continuing a coppersmithing tradition that stretches back centuries. The Iberian Peninsula has long been one of the world's great centers of copper artisanship, and traditional coppersmiths are recognized globally for their skill, precision, and dedication to quality.
Our stills are made in small artisan workshops, not factories. Each piece is individually shaped, hammered, and assembled by hand. The distinctive hand-hammered finish you see on every CopperHolic still is not just decorative; it is a hallmark of authenticity that tells you a skilled craftsperson shaped the copper with their own hands.
What Makes Our Copper Stills Different
Not all copper stills are created equal. Here is what sets CopperHolic apart from competitors:
1.1mm Pure Copper
Many competing stills use copper as thin as 0.6mm to 0.8mm. Our premium 1.1mm thick copper provides superior heat distribution, greater durability, and a longer working life.
Lead-Free Silver Solder
All joints in our stills are sealed with lead-free silver solder, ensuring nothing harmful leaches into your distillate. Critical for essential oils and hydrosols.
Lab-Grade Thermometer
Our stills come with a built-in lab-grade thermometer so you can track your run with precision and confidence.
Serpentine Condenser
The traditional serpentine coil condenser provides maximum cooling surface area, ensuring efficient condensation and higher yields.
Hand-Hammered Finish
Hand-hammering increases the surface area of the copper, improving catalytic interaction during distillation. A mark of true artisan craftsmanship.
Our Promise to You
When you buy from CopperHolic, you are not just purchasing a product. You are gaining a partner in your distillation journey.
- Lifetime craftsmanship guarantee: We stand behind the quality of every still we sell. If your still has a manufacturing defect, we will make it right.
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee: Try your still with confidence. If you are not completely satisfied within 30 days, we offer hassle-free returns. See our Return Policy for details.
- Free shipping across the United States: Every order ships free to addresses within the US from our domestic warehouse.
- US-based warehouse and support: Your still ships from our US warehouse, and our support team is here to help with setup, sizing questions, and troubleshooting.
Our Community of Makers
CopperHolic stills are used by a diverse and passionate community of makers:
Essential Oil Enthusiasts
Extract pure, high-quality oils from lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, and hundreds of other botanicals.
Herbalists & Naturopaths
Rely on copper distillation to produce therapeutic-grade hydrosols and plant extracts.
Aromatherapists
Seeking the purest possible distillates for their practice and clients.
Home Distillers
Exploring the art and science of botanical extraction for the first time.
Educators & Researchers
Using our stills for chemistry demonstrations, botanical science courses, and lab experiments.
Small Business Owners
Producing artisan hydrosols, floral waters, and essential oils for sale at farmers markets and online shops.
Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned distiller upgrading your equipment, we have a still sized for your needs. Not sure which size is right? Check our Copper Still Size Guide for detailed recommendations.
Our Community
We are proud to have built a growing community of passionate distillers who trust CopperHolic with their craft. With 37+ verified five-star reviews, our customers consistently praise the build quality, beautiful finish, and reliable performance of our stills. Many of our customers come back for a second or third still as they expand their distillation practice.
We believe in education as much as equipment. That is why we publish detailed guides, how-to articles, and practical tips on our blog to help you get the most from every distillation run.
Where our facts come from.
We’re careful to ground our writing about distillation, copper, and the alembic tradition in primary sources. The references below are the ones we cite repeatedly across our guides and the Distiller’s Archive.
- History & tradition. Alembic · History of distillation · Jabir ibn Hayyan · Damascus rose water
- Material science. Copper · Thermal conductivity comparisons · FDA food-contact regulations
- Plant chemistry & yields. Essential oil overview · Hydrosol · Steam distillation · NIST WebBook (boiling points & azeotropes)
- US legal framework. TTB — Distilled Spirits Permits · 26 USC §5601 (criminal penalties for unregistered distilling) · FDA cosmetics regulation (MoCRA 2022) · FDA — Dietary Supplements (DSHEA)
- Aromatherapy & safety. Tisserand & Young, Essential Oil Safety (2nd ed., Churchill Livingstone, 2014) · Lawrence, Mint: The Genus Mentha (CRC Press, 2007) · ISO 4720 (essential oil nomenclature standards).
These references inform our product descriptions, our blog, and the Distiller’s Archive. We update them as new editions and statutes are released.
Ready to Start Your Distillation Journey?
Explore our collection of handcrafted copper alembic stills and find the perfect fit for your needs.
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